What Is Sylvotherapy?

Sylvotherapy, or Forest Therapy, is a guided therapeutic approach to holistic healing which utilizes forest bathing as it's main component. It centers the concept that simply immersing oneself in nature is an intensely healing experience for body, mind & spirit. Anyone can indulge in a forest bath, but forest therapy is a specific and guided approach to access the benefits of forest bathing on a much deeper, more significantly healing level.

While there are multiple types or divisions of sylvotherapy, at Left Hand Foraging we focus on Curative Sylvotherapy. This method considers the spiritual and energetic element of connecting with the Earth and incorporates the documented hard science to explain the physical and mental benefits of this practice.

How Does Sylvotherapy Work?

Using earth-bound wisdom as a vehicle for transformation, participants are slowly led through a forest trail and offered the opportunity to take part in multiple exercises designed to engage the physical and mental bodies. Physical senses like sight, sound, smell, touch and taste are called into action, and mental senses like proprioception and intuition are encouraged and supported. We observe moments of silence and stillness between these exercises, adding in educational moments and sharing circles. Through these practices, we gently guide participants into finding their own spiritual development through building authentic connections to nature and what it means to them.

What Are The Health Benefits of Sylvotherapy?

Along with guided exercises, during a sylvotherapy session our physical bodies are surrounded by the life-giving gifts of the Earth. These science-backed therapeutic properties are based in the actions of oxygen therapy, negative ions, terpenes and phytoncides, Mycobacterium vaccae and chromatology.

Oxygen concentrations are much higher in a forest than a city, and benefits of oxygen therapy include reducing stress, accelerating healing, improving memory function, enhancing mood and generally benefiting overall psychology as a whole.

Negative ions are ions which have gained one or more electrons, generated by energy splitting air or water molecules. Positive ions are ions which have lost one or more electrons, becoming unstable and affecting the health poorly in large quantities. When concentrations of positive ions (which naturally accumulate in the atmosphere) rise, like right before an electrical storm, there is a notable increase in irritability, thrombosis and migraines in people. Positive ions can also be given off by anything with an electromagnetic capabilities. That is to say, any technology that utilizes electricity to power a magnet - electric motors in fans, speakers & headphones, microwave ovens, electric cars, etc. Negative ions are silent atmospheric champions promoting healthy exchanges between cells - like enhancing oxygen penetration into the lungs, stimulating the action of enzymes and triggering the secretion of essential neurotransmitters (serotonin) and hormones (cortisol). Insufficient amounts of negative ions in the air results in a lack of concentration, irritability, chronic fatigue, depression, stress, insomnia, headaches and respiratory issues. One study even found negative ions to be "biologically active and actually affect the body's circadian rhythm." Interestingly, photosynthesis also produces negative ions. Dr. Hervé Robert says the ideal concentration of negative ions is at least 1,500-2,000 per cm³ and a forest gives off roughly 3,000 negative ions per cm³. A car, in stark contrast, only provides 1/cm³.

Terpenes & phytoncides are active, volatile compounds given off by plants and trees and are the main force in aromatherapy, with coniferous trees giving off the highest amount of terpenes and phytoncides. These compounds have a wide range of physical and mental benefits on our bodies. Most have antimicrobial and/or antifungal properties, some are expectorants which open up the lungs. Some are mood-boosting, while others promote relaxation and tranquility. There is growing evidence that certain phytoncides even have the ability to eliminate cancer cells within the body.

Mycobacterium vaccae is a non-pathogenic bacterium which exists abundantly in soil. When absorbed transdermally (under our fingernails) or orally (eating an unwashed leaf) this bacterium stimulates the secretion of serotonin, which has a positive effect on our emotions, libido, memory and concentration, our ability to handle stress and to reflect internally, as well as improving intestinal gut flora. That's how deeply our bodies know the Earth, even if our consciousness has forgotten.

Chromatology is the study of colours, and also looks into the psychology behind colour and how it can affect our emotions and state of mind. Entire marketing teams are devoted to studying the psychological impacts of colours, and no colours seem to reduce stress and promote relaxation more consistently than greens and blues. The mere presence of plants in an office can reduce worker stress levels by 40% - the same remaining true about their artificial lookalikes, with fake plants having the same psychological effects as real ones. Colour and perception remains at the forefront of the cause, as again, our bodies instinctively remember what our consciousness forgets.

Who Is Sylvotherapy Good For?

The short answer is everyone! More specifically though, sylvotherapy is greatly helpful for anyone looking for non-pharmaceutical alternative options when feeling:

- disconnected from themselves

- out of touch with nature

- yearning to learn more about the Earth

- generally depressed, anxious or stressed

- difficulty meditating or finding stillness

- dragged down by constant city life

- a sense of being generally uninspired

- the need for a sense of community

Far too often we remain within the confines of a human-built world and lose sight of the reverence and respect our species has always had for the Earth. Overall, sylvotherapy is a fantastic approach to finding your own personal mind/body/spirit alignment. On an ever-changing planet where our artificially constructed existence continues to expand and take over the natural world, the importance of remembering our roots and engaging with the forest is more important than ever.