Phytoncides

I did not know what phytoncides were until a few weeks ago and since discovering they boost our immune system, I am fascinated.

When we are outside we not only breathing in oxygen but magnetite and microbes. These days we are told that these microbes are dangerous and to wear masks, however these tiny organisms actually boost our immunity. You know that wonderful smell when you go into a forest? That damp earthy richness from the microbes that compost the fallen leaves and bring nutrients to the plants and trees that grow together.

Negative ions are present in the air of a forest and by the sea and they help us to rebalance from the effect of an excess of positive ions from being inside and engaging with electromagnetic gadgets. The circulating microbes and magnetite produce a specific configuration that creates a health giving microbiome.

Phytoncides also contain volatile oils produced by trees such as pine, cedar and eucalyptus. Below are some of the names of the volatile oils released from the trees.

This picture is from www.forestbathingcentral.com

Forest bathing or as the Japanese call in Shinrin yoku is time spent quietly relaxing with the trees and the benefits have been known about for many years. Scientists are just realising there may be as yet undiscovered ways that nature helps us. So, next time you are in a forest perceive it with all of your senses and not solely with your eyes. The benefits from those microbes and negative ions, though invisible could be even greater !

Li Q, Nakadai A, Matsushima H, Miyazaki Y, Krensky AM, Kawada T, Morimoto K. Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):319-33. doi: 10.1080/08923970600809439. PMID: 16873099.