Ever since I was a child, I have had a devoted love of all things. All living things. I remember playing outside in the spring and catching honeybees in baby food jars just so I could be close to them without having to fear a sting. I nursed hurt puppies and butterflies with broken wings. My grandmother had a majestic magnolia in her back yard that was one of my favorite places to play. It had the most amazing roots and the breeze was always so cool there on a hot summer day. I would catch wolly worms and try my best to dig doodlebugs out of there holes. We always planted gardens and flowers and waited all year just to suck the sweetness out of honeysuckle blooms. Mud pies and bird nests. Inch worms and toad frogs. Chiggers and scraped knees.

My love for all things never left me and soon I found myself loving all things again through the eyes of my children. One of my favorite things to do with my young daughter was to take her hiking. So, years later, I found myself once again in awe of the beautiful world the Lord had made. This time, it was rocks in my pockets and the feel of moss against my fingertips. Fallen trees and bee hives. Snakes and waterfalls. Mushrooms and bird songs. It was fresh air and the sense of calm that overtook the chaos in my soul every time I ventured into the forest. There was something addictive. Something I just couldn’t quite put my finger on that kept me coming back time after time, year after year.

My daughter and I have been hiking for almost ten years now, yet the addiction hasn’t worn off. I love it so very much that I have become quite the collector of indoor plants. My family groans, “not another potted plant?!” However, it wasn’t until recently that I figured out just why I desire plants in my house. The realization floored me.

I have always known deep inside that there was something in the forest making me feel better. But what? Could my house plants be doing the same thing?

Well, I turned to my “go-to” solution for everything. Education. Specifically, Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing. Turns out, I wasn’t just thinking I felt better or that the forest significantly contributed to it, it’s a scientific fact. (See post on phytoncides)

In Dr. Qing Li’s book, The Japanese Art and Science of Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing, states that one of the ways we test the health of the immune system is by looking at the activity of our natural killer (NK) cells and anti-cancer proteins: perforin, granulysin, and granzymes. During Shinrin-Yoku, NK cell activity spikes and the presence of anti-cancer proteins increase. Not only do they increase, but they also remain elevated even after forest bathing with effects lasting from seven days all the way to 30 days post session. (pages 82-87) There is a whole science on the specifics of this. Why does it seem to be gatekept? One two-hour session per month is enough to keep NK cells and anti-cancer proteins elevated. Here I go- getting certified in sylvotherapy. And guess what- house plants DO provide pollution control and support for our physical and mental well-being!

If I can just convince people to give it a try. Conifer forests are the best for Shinrin-Yoku sessions and I know a forest full of conifer trees. Bankhead National Forest is primarily defined by a dynamic mix of loblolly and shortleaf pine trees. Depending on the terrain and moisture levels, the forest transitions between expansive pine uplands and rich, diverse hardwood valleys. The deep gorges also shelter unique, isolated stands of eastern hemlock, the largest concentration in the state. I just thought my addiction was to hiking. My addiction is actually a phytoncide addiction. I want to share this with anyone who will listen.

Now for the rest of the story. The pastor where I attend church is adamant about one particular issue. The issue being this – STEP INTO YOUR PURPOSE – I sit in church, squirming under pressure. I have this love for nature. I have this love for the creator of nature. I also have this love for people. I know a possible way to help people feel better and to speak Jesus over people. I know two perfect trails for forest bathing. How cool would it be to do guided Shinrin-Yoku sessions?!?! So here I am. Certificate in hand. Backpack and boots on stand-by. Let’s do this.

~Step into Stillness~

Alabama Forest Healing Co.

PS. Put a snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) in every room of your home.