The Effect of Forest Therapy on Integral Health: Which Can Be Developed in Indonesia

Abstract

Forest therapy is various therapeutic activities in the forests to improve an individual's health and well-being. The hypothesis in this research refers to Fromm's biophilia perspective, which indicates that being in a forest and nature would increase human ecology's consciousness and promote health. In Japan, "Shinrin-yoku," or forest bathing, is considered an immersion in the forest. Then, from Japan, this Shinrin-yoku influenced further research in East Asia and various European countries. This paper is a literature review of the multiple benefits of forest therapy and forest bathing based on the concept of integral health developed by Elliott Dacher. In addition, this paper also discusses opportunities for the development of forest therapy and forest bathing in Indonesia.