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Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Agnes Peterfalvi

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Ifjusag utja 13, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Matyas Meggyes

    (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Lilla Makszin

    (Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Nelli Farkas

    (Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Eva Miko

    (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Attila Miseta

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Ifjusag utja 13, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Laszlo Szereday

    (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti ut 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

Abstract

Various formats of forest bathing have been receiving increasing attention owing to their perspectives in health promotion and the treatment of chronic lifestyle diseases. The majority of field studies are still being conducted in the Far Eastern region, and they often make psychological assessments mainly in the green season. In our pretest–posttest field experiment, twelve healthy, working-age volunteers participated in a 2-h leisurely forest walking program, first in the green season (May) and then in the winter season (January), in the Mecsek Hills, next to Pécs, Hungary. Systolic blood pressure decreased after the trips both in late spring and in the winter. Based on changes in the expressions of CD69, an early activation marker, NKG2D, a major recognition receptor, perforin, granzyme B, and TIM-3, an inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule, on CD8+ cytotoxic T, NK, NK dim , NK bright , and NKT cells, we detected the stimulation of NK bright cells and activation of all examined immune cell subsets in the green season. In the winter, a slight activating and an interesting balancing effect regarding TIM-3 could be observed considering our finding that basal (pretest) TIM-3 expression by NK cells was significantly lower in the winter. Our work expands the knowledge on and potentials of forest medicine.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnes Peterfalvi & Matyas Meggyes & Lilla Makszin & Nelli Farkas & Eva Miko & Attila Miseta & Laszlo Szereday, 2021. "Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2067-:d:502641
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bingyang Lyu & Chengcheng Zeng & Shouhong Xie & Di Li & Wei Lin & Nian Li & Mingyan Jiang & Shiliang Liu & Qibing Chen, 2019. "Benefits of A Three-Day Bamboo Forest Therapy Session on the Psychophysiology and Immune System Responses of Male College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
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    5. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Jin-Woo Han & Han Choi & Yo-Han Jeon & Chong-Hyeon Yoon & Jong-Min Woo & Won Kim, 2016. "The Effects of Forest Therapy on Coping with Chronic Widespread Pain: Physiological and Psychological Differences between Participants in a Forest Therapy Program and a Control Group," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, February.
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    9. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Masao Taue & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Effect of Forest Walking on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Middle-Aged Hypertensive Individuals: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    10. Genxiang Mao & Yongbao Cao & Bozhong Wang & Sanying Wang & Zhuomei Chen & Jirong Wang & Wenmin Xing & Xiaoxu Ren & Xiaoling Lv & Jianhua Dong & Shasha Chen & Xiuyuan Chen & Guofu Wang & Jing Yan, 2017. "The Salutary Influence of Forest Bathing on Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, March.
    11. Chia-Pin Yu & Chia-Min Lin & Ming-Jer Tsai & Yu-Chieh Tsai & Chun-Yu Chen, 2017. "Effects of Short Forest Bathing Program on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Mood States in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, August.
    12. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    13. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tsung-Ming Tsao & Jing-Shiang Hwang & Sung-Tsun Lin & Charlene Wu & Ming-Jer Tsai & Ta-Chen Su, 2022. "Forest Bathing Is Better than Walking in Urban Park: Comparison of Cardiac and Vascular Function between Urban and Forest Parks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Francesco Meneguzzo & Lorenzo Albanese & Michele Antonelli & Rita Baraldi & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Francesco Centritto & Davide Donelli & Franco Finelli & Fabio Firenzuoli & Giovanni Margheritin, 2021. "Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Rui Chen & Yu Gao & Ruixin Zhang & Zhi Zhang & Weikang Zhang & Huan Meng & Tong Zhang, 2023. "How Does the Experience of Forest Recreation Spaces in Different Seasons Affect the Physical and Mental Recovery of Users?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Sujin Park & Eunsoo Kim & Geonwoo Kim & Soojin Kim & Yeji Choi & Domyung Paek, 2022. "What Activities in Forests Are Beneficial for Human Health? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    5. Katja Oomen-Welke & Evelyn Schlachter & Tina Hilbich & Johannes Naumann & Alexander Müller & Thilo Hinterberger & Roman Huber, 2022. "Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being—A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Valentina Roviello & Pasqualina Liana Scognamiglio & Ugo Caruso & Caterina Vicidomini & Giovanni N. Roviello, 2021. "Evaluating In Silico the Potential Health and Environmental Benefits of Houseplant Volatile Organic Compounds for an Emerging ‘Indoor Forest Bathing’ Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.

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