Amid growing public awareness of mental health, forests are now seen as more than just the lungs of the earth or carbon sinks. A professor at IPB University, Prof. Siti Badriyah Rushayati, revealed that forest areas hold great potential as a means of health therapy, also known as the healing forest concept.
The health benefits of interacting with the forest environment stem from natural volatile compounds called phytoncides. While these compounds produced by plants serve as a natural defense system, for humans, inhaling forest air can help lower blood pressure, fight free radicals, and boost the performance of natural killer cells in fighting infections.
However, Prof. Siti emphasized that this therapeutic activity cannot be carried out in just any location. A forest area suitable for therapy must meet strict criteria, such as minimal noise pollution, clean air quality, and safe terrain conditions conducive to calming the five senses.
Furthermore, this concept also opens up economic opportunities through the development of nature-based ecotourism services. A successful example of this implementation can be found in the Ir. H. Djuanda Forest Park (Taman Hutan Raya Ir. H. Djuanda), which provides special facilities and guides to support visitors' relaxation activities amidst natural vegetation.
The integration of forest utilization for health and ecosystem conservation is crucial in facing the global climate crisis. Sustainable development that aligns the ecological services of forests is believed to build ecosystem resilience while holistically improving the physical and mental well-being of society.
