The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.
- William Blake
What is shinrin-yoku?
Many cultures have long been aware of the unique relationship we have with nature.
In Japanese, shinrin-yoku is defined as ‘forest bathing’ or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’.1
Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through all our senses; however, it does not imply exercising, hiking or jogging in the forest; it simply means being in nature and connecting with it with all our senses.2
Not knowing the name of the tree, I stood in the flood of its sweet scent.
Matsuo Basho
While the term shinrin-yoku was only coined in 1982 by Tomohide Akiyama, Director of the Japanese Forestry Agency, the effects of forest bathing were well known by Matsuo Basho, one of Japan’s most renowned Haiku poets from the seventeenth century.
When the phrase was first coined, the idea was more of a marketing exercise to get people out of the city and to spend more time in nature in the forests.3
Around the world, shinrin-yoku is receiving increased attention for its capacity to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Research has identified many physiological and psychological benefits from exposure to the forest or elements of the forest.4
Shinrin-yoku, biophilia and aromatherapy
In The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy: Volume III – Psyche & Subtle, I propose that biophilia is one of six pathways that contributes to the spiritual dimension of scent.
Biophilia explains why humankind has always had an innate connection with nature. People are drawn to essential oils as their scent is able to elicit a deep connection with nature. Researchers are now beginning to understand the physiological, emotional and spiritual implications of our inherent connection to nature.5
Redvers suggests we must begin to recreate our relationships with nature, whether by forest walking once a week, gardening, increasing the plant companions in our homes and workplaces, or just spending time in nature. She explains this is integral not only for our own physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing but also for our fragile planet’s wellbeing.6
Hughes states many people are looking for ways to reconnect with nature:
… it seems apparent that many people are walking around this life looking for “connection.” They may not be able to articulate what it is they seek, and often this desire is misplaced in overindulgences in materialism, food, alcohol, smoking, or drugs, among other things. As our lives become faster and more surrounded by the urban landscape, it is becoming harder for people to take the time to find out what that desire for connection is all about. Our connection with divinity and nature is not a luxury, and not something that should take a lot of money to cultivate.7
Hughes asks – how can you gain a connection with nature when you live in a city? She claims people feel this connection in many ways – by spending time in nature and through religion and spirituality. She suggests scents of nature may also be one of the aids that people use to feel this connection.7
Schnaubelt reminds us that aromatherapy provides us with the opportunity to reconnect with nature and for physical and psychological regeneration:
Through the disintegration of family, private life is becoming less of a place to turn to for quietude and regeneration. Quiet, connection to nature, holistic health and happiness, and many other contributing factors to wellbeing are in short supply. Alternative methods such as aromatherapy offer great potential where physical healing and psychological regeneration intersect, because they provide integrated solutions.8
Transcendent experience in the forest
Williams & Harvey list moments of extreme happiness, a feeling of lightness and freedom, a sense of harmony with the whole world, and moments which are totally absorbing and feel important as terms used to characterise transcendent experience.9
Feelings often reported as being elicited by natural and wilderness environments include:9
- strong positive affect
- feelings of overcoming the limits of everyday life
- a sense of union with the universe or some other power or entity
- absorption in and significance of the moment
- a sense of timelessness.
Williams & Harvey examined why we experience such responses in nature. They explain that psychodynamic approaches suggest the transcendent moments can be attributed to the dynamic forces of the unconscious. They cite the work of Jung, who states archetypes, or symbols stored in the unconscious, provide a dynamic structure for thought at times of strong emotion. The emotional depth of many human-environment transactions occurs when we sense that nature can never be comprehended. In other words, a sense of awe. In many cultures, natural elements such as water and the forests are richly endowed with symbolic meaning and may act as a trigger for transcendent moments.9
The benefits of shinrin-yoku
Many Japanese studies have reported spending time in the forest provides better emotional, physiological and restorative effects. These Japanese studies influenced further research in Korea, China, and Europe.10
Some of the positive health outcomes from forest bathing include lowered blood pressure, reduced muscle tension, increased brain wave activity in the alpha frequency, stabilising autonomic nervous system activity, reduced saliva cortisol levels, and decreased urine adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in both male and female subjects. 1,2,10,11
Shinrin-yoku also demonstrated a positive impact on cognitive function, immune function, blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, cardiovascular disease, cancer and pain. Research has reported potential benefits in the management of psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, mood disorder, burnout syndrome, lifestyle stress and an overall improvement in the quality of life.10
One study found forest bathing increased natural killer (NK) activity, which in turn increased the levels of intracellular anticancer proteins such as perforin, GRN and GrA/B. Li suggests regular forest bathing may have a preventative effect on cancer generation and development.1
Another study stated two 2-hour forest walks on consecutive days increased the number and activity of anticancer NK cells by 50 and 56% respectively, and the activity remained significantly high even a month after returning to urban life – 23% higher than before the walks. It was also found extended time in the forest decreased inflammatory cytokines implicated in chronic disease by roughly one-half. Urban walks had no such effect.12
Other studies have found dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were higher in individuals after walks in the forest but not in an urban environment. DHEA, a steroid hormone, has cardioprotective, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic properties. It was also reported walks in the forest, but not walks in urban areas, reduced inflammatory cytokines.12
One study examined the individual difference in the physiological effects of forest therapy based on type A and type B behaviour patterns. Type A behaviour pattern can be characterised by excessive competitiveness, striving for achievement, aggressiveness, time urgency, acceleration of common activities, restlessness, hostility, hyper-alertness, explosiveness of speech amplitude, facial musculature tension, feelings of struggling against limitations of time, and insensitivity to the environment. Type B pattern is characterised by the absence of type A characteristics.13
The study evaluated changes in the pulse rate and blood pressure of 485 subjects after forest therapy, in which individuals were classified as having type A or type B behaviour pattern. The results showed there was a significant reduction in the pulse rate after viewing forest scenes compared with that found after viewing urban scenes. It was reported the pulse rate reduction and blood pressure were significantly reduced in type B group after forest therapy but there were no differences in the type A group.13
A study examined whether walking in nature may be beneficial for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Twenty individuals diagnosed with MDD participated in this study. The results demonstrated individuals diagnosed with MDD exhibited cognitive and affective improvements after walking in a nature setting. It was concluded interacting with nature may be clinically useful as a supplement to existing treatments for MDD.14
The role of phytoncides
The term phytoncide is derived from ‘phyto’ meaning plant and ‘cide’ meaning killing. The term was first coined by Tokin in the Soviet Union around 1930. Originally phytoncides were considered the volatile ingredients of plant oils; however, in 1980, Tokin defined phytoncides as the substances produced by all kinds of plants, which may or may not be volatile and which have an influence on other organisms.15
Li attributes the therapeutic benefit of shinrin-yoku to phytoncides.2
Phytoncides are the olfactory-related elements of the forest.4
When the air of a forest was analysed more than 100 different types of phytoncides were detected. Often the major components are α-pinene and limonene.15
An analysis of the phytoncides in a hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) forest was measured by Li et al. and reported as follows (measured as ng/m3):16
Tricyclene (299.7), α-pinene (2,886.7), camphene (375.6), β-pinene (137.5), myrcene (109.4), δ-3-carene (66.66), α-terpinene (43.8), p-cymene (109.4), limonene (111.1), terpinolene (87.5), camphor (32.8), bornyl acetate (54.7).
The weather at the time of measurement was reported to be excellent with the temperature of 16.31 ± 0.23˚C and the humidity of 99.77 ± 0.44%.
Now, let us examine the chemical composition of the essential oil from both hinoki wood and hinoki leaf essential oils.
The chemical composition of hinoki wood oil was reported as follows:17
α-pinene (24.01%), camphene (0.12%), β-pinene (0.28%), myrcene (0.45%), limonene (0.84%), terpinolene (0.3%), terpinen-4-ol (0.75%), α-terpineol (0.59%), bornyl acetate (0.44%), α-copaene (0.58%), α-terpinyl acetate (1.25%), β-elemene (2.31%), caryophyllene (0.38%), α-humulene (0.62%), Ƴ-muurolene (3.73%), germacrene D (0.72%), β-selinene 0.87%), α-muurolene (6.75%), Ƴ-cadinene (9.34%), δ-cadinene (16.05%), α-cadinene (1.16%), α-calacorene (0.74%), β-calacorene (0.22%), epi-α-cadinol (3.91%), δ-cadinol (1.53%), α-cadinol (6.68%).
The chemical composition of hinoki leaf oil was reported as follows:18
α-thujene (1.01%), α-pinene (2.57%), camphene (0.57%), sabinene (19.58%), β-pinene (0.42%), myrcene (6.28%), α-terpinene (1.56%), limonene (8.77%), p-cymene (0.89%), Ƴ-terpinene (5.03%), terpinolene (1.66%), terpinen-4-ol (3.39%), α-terpineol (0.41%), bornyl acetate (7.07%), α-terpinyl acetate (14.02%), cis-thujopsene (3.11%), trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene (2.36%), germacrene D (0.18%), δ-cadinene (0.83%), elemol (4.62%), beyerene (2.13%).
As you can see, many of the components of hinoki wood and leaf essential oils are detected in the forest air.
Advice on forest bathing
Li provides us with some practical advice for the practice of forest bathing. He suggests we should first find the right location. He explains we should find a place where we feel comfortable, somewhere that will fill your heart with joy. He insists we leave our phone and camera behind. He explains the key to unlocking the healing benefits of the forest is to use all five senses. Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet. He recommends:2
- Listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees.
- Observe the different shades of green leaves and the sunlight filtering through the branches.
- Smell the fragrance of the forest and natural scent of the phytoncides.
- Taste the freshness of the air as you take deep breaths.
- Feel the trunk of a tree, dip your toes and hands into the stream. Lie on the forest floor.
Miyazaki explains the practice of shinrin-yoku is based on walking through the forest at a gentle pace for two or more hours. He also suggests no phone and states we should take the time to soak up the environment around us.3
Arvay also provides us with the following information:19
- The phytoncides are highest in summer and lowest in winter.
- The denser the forest canopy, the higher the concentration of phytoncides.
- Whenever the air is moist, after rain, or during fog, there will also be a higher percentage of phytoncides in the forest air.
Perfect Potion Japan's Managing Director Kiyo Yamamoto hugs a 700-year-old sugi tree while forest-bathing in a Japanese forest.
Shinrin-yoku and essential oils
There will be times when we cannot get outside for forest bathing. Li suggests we should then bring the scent of the outdoors indoors by diffusing essential oils extracted from the trees that are found in the forest.2
Conifer essential oils such as fir, hiba, hinoki, sugi, spruce and pine are rich in phytoncides. The scent of these conifer oils will remind you of the tranquillity associated with the forest and you are very likely to receive some of the benefits of forest bathing by diffusing the oils.2
Most distilled conifers are very high in monoterpenes, especially α-pinene and β-pinene. It is the α-pinene that gives essential oils from conifer trees their distinctive pine-like aroma. These volatile compounds found in essential oils are referred to as phytonicides. Studies have concluded that these phytonicides are predominantly have a beneficial effect on human health. Other common essential oil components found in phytoncides include d-limonene and camphene.2
Studies have shown that exposure to phytoncides has:2
- significantly increased the number of NK activity, enhancing the activity of anticancer proteins
- significantly decreased the levels of stress hormones
- increased the hours of sleep
- decreased anxiety, aggression, fatigue and mental confusion
- stimulated a pleasant mood
- significantly lowered blood pressure
- suppressed sympathetic nervous system activity and increased parasympathetic nervous activity.
It is therefore, not surprising that Li states we can achieve similar results by diffusing essential oils.2
Forest versus urban environment
One study in Japan compared the emotional, restorative and revitalising effects of short-term walking in the forest compared to downtown urban areas. The results confirmed a 15-minute walk in either environment helped to lower tension and anxiety, depression and confusion. However, vigour was significantly higher in the forest environment compared to the urban environment. It was concluded that short walk in the forest:11
- improved mood
- heightened positive affect
- induced a feeling of subjective restoration
- induced a feeling of subjective vitality.
Kuo reports that contact with nature has three psychological effects:12
- experiences of awe
- enhanced vitality
- attention restoration.
It was suggested that experiences of awe are associated with healthier, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Enhanced vitality predicts resistance to infection and lowered risk of mortality and attention restoration may help reduce risky health behaviours such as smoking, overeating and drug or alcohol abuse.12
How to use the essential oils
Essential oils are one of the easiest and most effective and safe ways to bring the benefits of the forest into your home.
To create your shinrin-yoku experience you can:
- Place up to six drops of your chosen essential oil into your diffuser. For advice on blends please refer to forest bathing blends section of this booklet.
- Add 10 drops of essential oils to 20 drops of essential oil solubilizer in a spray bottle, then add water. This can then be used to mist your home.
- Add 5 drops of essential oil to 10 ml of carrier oil such as sweet almond oil and use as a massage oil.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath.
Please follow the safety section of each essential oil to ensure that you use the essential oils safely. Do not ingest any of the essential oils and never apply undiluted essential oil topically.
The essential oils
Hinoki - Chamaecyparis obtusa
Botany and origins
Hinoki oil is commonly derived from the wood, however an essential oil from the needles is also available.
Hinoki is listed as ‘near threatened’ in the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species; however, this is in reference to old growth hinoki trees.20
Old growth hinoki trees are a protected species in Japan.
Perfect Potion hinoki oil is distilled from sawdust and timber off cuts used in the building industry and from trees cut as part of the forest thinning and management of sustainably managed plantation trees from the north Wakayama prefecture that are owned and managed by the local community.
Traditional uses
The wood has traditionally been used for the construction of temples and traditional buildings in Japan. It is also used in traditional Japanese incense making.
Aroma
The scent of hinoki wood is dry, fine, woody note with a light terpene-like nuance and a warm, sweet, somewhat spicy undertone.
The scent of hinoki leaf oil is intensely fresh, camphoraceous, pine-like aroma with a slightly green note.
Chemistry
The chemical composition of Perfect Potion hinoki leaf oil was reported as follows:18
α-thujene (1.01%), α-pinene (2.57%), camphene (0.57%), sabinene (19.58%), β-pinene (0.42%), myrcene (6.28%), α-terpinene (1.56%), limonene (8.77%), p-cymene (0.89%), Ƴ-terpinene (5.03%), terpinolene (1.66%), terpinen-4-ol (3.39%), α-terpineol (0.41%), bornyl acetate (7.07%), α-terpinyl acetate (14.02%), cis-thujopsene (3.11%), trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene (2.36%), germacrene D (0.18%), δ-cadinene (0.83%), elemol (4.62%), beyerene (2.13%).
The chemical composition of Perfect Potion hinoki wood oil was reported as follows:17
α-pinene (24.01%), camphene (0.12%), β-pinene (0.28%), myrcene (0.45%), limonene (0.84%), terpinolene (0.3%), terpinen-4-ol (0.75%), α-terpineol (0.59%), bornyl acetate (0.44%), α-copaene (0.58%), α-terpinyl acetate (1.25%), β-elemene (2.31%), caryophyllene (0.38%), α-humulene (0.62%), Ƴ-muurolene (3.73%), germacrene D (0.72%), β-selinene 0.87%), α-muurolene (6.75%), Ƴ-cadinene (9.34%), δ-cadinene (16.05%), α-cadinene (1.16%), α-calacorene (0.74%), β-calacorene (0.22%), epi-α-cadinol (3.91%), δ-cadinol (1.53%), α-cadinol (6.68%).
Pharmacology and clinical studies
A study examining the physiological effects of inhaling hinoki leaf oil confirmed that it increased parasympathetic nervous system activity, inducing physiological relaxation. The researchers concluded that this supports the physiological relaxation effects associated with nature-derived simulation and the effects of the forest environment.21
Another study confirmed that inhalation of hinoki wood oil reduced anxiety and induced relaxation. The study confirmed that inhalation of hinoki leaf oil induced same physiological response associated with the practice of shinrin-yoku. The study stated after inhaling hinoki wood essential oil, blood pressure and heart rate decreased, whereas sympathetic activity increased and parasympathetic activity decreased. It was suggested that the scent of hinoki wood oil may enhance mood.22
One study observed that hinoki leaf essential oil exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against respiratory inflammatory-related disease. It was suggested that the terpene compounds found in hinoki oil can be used as a safe therapeutic agent for the treatment of respiratory inflammation and improvement of respiration capacity.23
Uses and benefits
The refreshing woody scent of hinoki wood oil suggests that it is beneficial to promote a calming and relaxing ambiance that is inducive to spiritual awareness. Hinoki wood oil is commonly used in Japan as an air purifier. Studies have confirmed that the oil may also be effectively used as a natural insect repellent.
The refreshing, uplifting scent of hinoki leaf essential oil is mentally and emotionally uplifting and invigorating.
Both hinoki wood and leaf essential oils have traditionally been used to alleviate respiratory congestion associated with blocked sinuses and chest congestion.
Blending
Consider blending hinoki wood oil with bergamot, Atlas cedarwood, cistus, clary sage, cypress, blue mallee eucalyptus, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, hinoki leaf, lavender, lemon, mandarin, neroli, sweet orange, pine, rosemary, Santalum spicatum, black spruce, vetiver or ylang ylang.
Consider blending hinoki leaf oil with basil, bergamot, blue mallee eucalyptus, fragonia, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, kunzea, hinoki wood, lavender, lemon, lemon myrtle, peppermint, pine, rosemary, black spruce, sugi leaf, sugi wood, tea tree or vetiver.
Safety
No known hazards or contraindications for hinoki wood or hinoki leaf essential oils.24
Sugi - Cryptomeria japonica
Botany and origins
Also called Japanese cedar or Japanese red cedar, sugi is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of 35-60m and can attain a trunk diameter up to 4m.
It is a shade tolerant species that can withstand frost. It grows in mountains and areas of high rainfall in south and central Japan. It prefers a deep, rich, moist alluvial soil and a sheltered position in full sun.
The very rare yakusugi tree, which can only be found on Yakushima Island, refers to sugi trees that are over 1,000 years old. The entire region where these trees grow is declared a World Heritage site.
The sugi tree is the national tree of Japan and is commonly planted around temples and shrines.
Traditional uses
Japanese cedar is commonly planted in forests and the timber has often been used as an interior material in Japan.25
C. japonica is well known in Taiwan as one of the most important plantation tree species because of its beautiful yellowish red to red-coloured heartwood. It is one of the most important trees as use as a building material for Japanese-style houses and is commonly used as a material for ceiling boards, wall panelling and posts.26
Aroma
Sugi leaf essential oil has a fresh, pine-like aroma with a light, warm terpene-like note.
Sugi wood essential oil has a soft delicate, woody note with a sweet-resiny woody undertone.
Chemistry
The chemical composition of Perfect Potion sugi wood oil was reported as follows:27
α-pinene (0.61%), limonene (0.17%), δ-elemene (0.15%), α -cubebene (1.19%), α -copaene (0.57%), β-cubebene 1.2%), β -caryophllene (1.41%), Ƴ-elemene (0.21%), trans-muurola-3,5-diene (3.21%), α-humulene (1.22%), trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (6.15%), Ƴ-muurolene (0.8%), germacrene D (0.43%), β-selinene (0.21%), trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene (8.35%), α -muurolene (6.2%), β-bisabolene (0.81%), Ƴ -cadinene (0.57%), δ-cadinene (26.55%), zonarene (4.46%), trans-cadina-1,4-diene (2.48), elemol (3.35%), gleenol (0.93%), cedrol (0.18%), 1-epi-cubenol (6.4%), Ƴ-eudesmol (1.57%), cubenol (5.56%), α-muurolol (1.27%), β -eudesmol (2.55%), α-eudesmol (2.12%), cryptomerione (1.74%), abietatriene (0.14%), abietadiene (1.19%), sandaracopimarinal (0.32%), ferruginol (0.26%).
The chemical composition of Perfect Potion sugi leaf oil was reported as follows:28
α-thujene (2.35%), α-pinene (26.17%), α-fenchene (0.18%), camphene (3.72%), sabinene (21.07%), β-pinene (1.38%), myrcene (4.95%), α -phellandrene (0.21%), δ-3-carene (2.95%), α -terpinene (2.44%), p-cymene (0.83%), limonene (7.35%), Ƴ-terpinene (3.61%), terpinolene (1.76%), linalool (0.26%), terpinen-4-ol (2.57%), bornyl acetate (1.81%), α-terpinyl acetate (0.23%), β-caryophyllene (0.3%), cis-thujopsene (0.19%), trans-β-farnesene (0.34%), Ƴ-muurolene (0.33%), α-muurolene (0.69%), Ƴ-cadinene (0.7%), hedycaryol (3.23%), cedrol (0.09%), Ƴ-eudesmol (0.57%), β-eudesmol (0.68%), α-eudesmol (0.83%), kaurene (1.53%).
It is fascinating to find terpinen-4-ol in sugi leaf essential oil, which is also found in tea tree oil.
Pharmacology and clinical studies
A study examining the inhalation of Japanese cedar found that it increased the secretion of salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA) levels after monotonous work. It was concluded that Japanese cedar wood oil affects the endocrine regulatory mechanism to facilitate stress responses. DHEA plays a protective role against the potential damaging effects of excessive cortisol. DHEA has several other functions such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-glucocorticoid, and antidiabetic.29
One study examined the effects of volatile organic compounds emitted from Japanese cedar walls. The results of the study found that exposure to the VOCs of the Japanese cedar walls supressed the activation of sympathetic nervous system during and after arithmetic work. It was concluded that the VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar assist people in remaining physiologically relaxed under stressful conditions.25
The results of a repellency bioassay found that sugi leaf essential oil significantly repelled silverfish. The repellent activity was 80% at a dose of 0.01mg/cm3. when silverfish were exposed to concentrations of 0.16 mg/cm3 of essential oil, they were killed within 10h.30
Uses and benefits
The subtle woody scent of sugi wood oil suggests that it is beneficial to promote a calming and relaxing ambiance that is inducive to spiritual awareness. Sugi wood oil is commonly used in Japan as an air purifier.
The refreshing uplifting scent of sugi leaf essential oil is mentally and emotionally uplifting and invigorating.
Both sugi wood and leaf essential oils have traditionally been used to alleviate respiratory congestion associated with blocked sinuses and chest congestion.
Blending
Consider blending sugi wood oil with bergamot, Atlas cedarwood, cistus, clary sage, cypress, blue mallee eucalyptus, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, hinoki wood, hinoki leaf, lavender, lemon, mandarin, neroli, sweet orange, pine, rosemary, Santalum spicatum, black spruce, sugi leaf, vetiver or ylang ylang.
Consider blending sugi leaf oil with basil, bergamot, blue mallee eucalyptus, fragonia, fir, frankincense, ginger, hiba wood, kunzea, hinoki wood, hinoki leaf, lavender, lemon, lemon myrtle, peppermint, pine, rosemary, black spruce, sugi wood, tea tree or vetiver.
Safety
No known hazards or contraindications for sugi wood or sugi leaf essential oils.
Forest bathing blends
Bring the benefits of shinrin-yoku into your home with these blends utilising these four beautiful Japanese essential oils.
Clear the airways
This blend helps to clear the sinuses.
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops peppermint
2 drops blue mallee eucalyptus
Confidence
This blend restores self-confidence and strengthens the will-power.
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops lemon
2 drops black pepper
Creativity
This blend helps promotes creativity.
2 drops of sweet orange
2 drops sugi leaf
2 drops coriander seed
Concentration
The blend promotes focus and invigorates the mind.
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops basil
2 drops lemon
Forest wisdom
This blend connects us with the wisdom of the forest.
2 drops sugi wood
1 drops hinoki wood
1 drop sugi leaf
1 drop hinoki leaf
1 drop vetiver
Grounding
This blend grounds us and reconnects us with earth’s energy.
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops vetiver
2 drops hinoki wood
Peaceful
A beautiful blend to promote harmony and balances our emotions.
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops geranium
2 drops hinoki wood
Intuition
This blend allows us to trust our intuition.
2 drops hinoki wood
2 drops fragonia
2 drops sugi leaf
Japanese bath
This blend recreates the luscious aromas of a traditional Japanese bath.
3 drops hinoki wood
2 drops hinoki leaf
1 drop lavender
Meditation
This blend promotes meditation and strengthens our spiritual awareness.
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops hinoki wood
2 drops frankincense
Joyfulness
This blend nourishes the soul with joy.
2 drops sweet orange
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops sugi leaf
Purify
This blend clears and cleanses negative energy.
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops juniper berry
2 drops sugi leaf
Tranquility
This blend promotes feelings calm.
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops sugi wood
2 drops lavender
Vitality
Feel revitalized and energized with this blend.
2 drops sugi leaf
2 drops hinoki leaf
2 drops lemon
Introducing the Limited Edition Shinrin-Yoku Collection
This beautiful collection of essential oils epitomises the scent of the Japanese forest.
The kit contains four quintessential Japanese essential oils: hinoki leaf, hinoki wood, sugi wood and sugi leaf.
These oils are the classic Japanese aromas of shinrin-yoku, the practice of ‘forest bathing’.
As you inhale these essential oils, imagine walking through a forest.
Feel the earth and leaves under your feet, listen to the birds singing, look up and notice how the sun trickles through the tree canopy.
You are feeling the effects of forest bathing.
Please enjoy creating your own forest sanctuary with pure essential oils of the forest.
EXPLORE OUR SHINRIN-YOKU FOREST-BATHING COLLECTION
Recommended reading
Li Q. Forest bathing – how trees can help you find health and happiness. Viking, New York, 2018.
Clifford MA. Your guide to forest bathing. Red Wheel. Newburyport, 2021.
Arvay CG. The biophilia effect – a scientific exploration of the healing bond between humans and nature. Sounds True, Boulder, 2018.
Louv R. The nature principle. Algonquin Books, Chapel Hill, 2011.
Williams F. The nature fix – why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. WW Norton & Company, New York, 2017.
References
1. Li Q. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2010; 15(1): 9-17. doi: 10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
2. Li Q. Forest bathing – how trees can help you find health and happiness. Viking, New York, 2018.
3. Miyazaki Y. Shinrin-yoku – the Japanese way of forest bathing for health and relaxation. Aster, London, 2018.
4. Tsunetsugu Y et al. Trends in research related to ‘shinrin-yoku’ (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2010; 15(1): 27-37. doi: 10.1007/s12199-009-0091-z
5. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy: Volume III – Psyche & Subtle. Third Edition, Black Pepper, Brisbane 2021.
6. Redvers N. The science of the sacred – Bridging global Indigenous medicine systems and modern scientific principles. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2019.
7. Hughes K. The incense bible – Plant scents that transcend world culture, medicine and spirituality. Routledge, New York, 2014.
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