Nature on our doorsteps: Nature’s prescription

More and more, scientific research is telling us that being connected to nature is good for our health.

While many people will already know that they feel better after a walk in the park or a stroll in the woods, scientific studies appear to support this perception.

As plants grow and make their own food, they release organic compounds or chemicals into the air.

Some of these compounds are called phytoncides, and when these chemicals linger around the plant they can act like a protective shield.

This shield helps the plant or the tree to fight off microscopic bacteria, fungi, and other plant diseases.

These chemical compounds can also help to prevent the nibbling of insects and grazing animals, by making the plant’s leaves smell and taste unpleasant.

Scientific studies are also showing that as well as helping to protect plants and trees, these chemical plant compounds can benefit us as well.

The combination of water and woodland can be very calming

It appears that when we breathe in these chemical phytoncides, they can trigger our own immune system to respond, and our bodies produce more of the natural defensive cells that attack infections in us.

Plant phytoncides are also thought to reduce inflammation and stress, which helps to ease the many medical conditions that affect our hearts and lungs.

Phytoncides can also be relaxants, helping to boost our mood and to encourage better sleep patterns.

Of  course, trees in particular produce plenty of oxygen also, which helps clean the air we breathe.

A walk in nature therefore seems to be a perfect natural prescription, to help build up both our mental and our physical health.