The beneficial effects of gardening on human health were confirmed by scientists back in the 19th century. As it turns out, hortiterapy has an excellent effect on our musculoskeletal apparatus. It keeps us young and fights depression, as well as making us more resilient and stimulating the brain.
What is hortitherapy?
In a word hortiterapia is defined as treatment through activities performed in the garden. It is a relatively young therapeutic method for modifying mood, increasing motor skills and activating weakened muscle structures. It involves doing chores such as planting, transplanting, harvesting, etc.
Scientists believe the healing power of activities such as:
- planting, as it develops manual skills and exercises the muscular apparatus,
- handling and manipulation of garden tools,
- walking on varied terrain, which works well for lower limb disabilities and back problems,
In addition, modern researchers are also drawing attention to the beneficial effects of plants that secrete so-called phytoncidal compounds, whose bactericidal properties reduce the risk of problems with various diseases.
Hortitherapy and the musculoskeletal system
Although hortitheritherapy is not yet developed in Poland, it is held in high regard worldwide, mainly in Scandinavian countries. Fortunately in Poland, this type of therapy is available to many people without contact with a therapist. This is because it is made possible by growing one's own home garden or working on an allotment.
Being outdoors improves oxygenation and the absorption of vitamin D. It is crucial for heart and bone health and important in cancer prevention. Through physical work, we also strengthen our muscle strength and bone health. Plant-based care necessarily involves doing a variety of resistance exercises, which strengthen bone strength and help protect against osteoporosis. A study in the United States showed that women in their 50s who worked in the garden had higher bone density than those who did aerobics, running or dancing.
Gardening as a therapy works well for people recovering from musculoskeletal disorders. Instead of exercising in rehabilitation rooms, they can improve their motor skills through gardening. These require precision and handling of the hands and fingers, developing so-called small motor skills. On the other hand, coarser jobs: carrying bags of soil, digging up beds or turning over compost affect the body's gross motor skills.
Gardening and the psyche
According to an old Chinese proverb: If you want to be happy for an hour - roast a piglet, if you want to be happy for a year - get married, if you want to be happy for a lifetime - grow a garden. Research related to the effects of gardening on the psyche has been done by Dutch researchers. Their results indicate that gardening is one of the most accessible activities for improving mood and self-esteem and eliminating stress. This is relevant for people who are highly stressed or suffer from depression. According to other studies, growing a garden and horticulture has a positive effect on self-perception.
Gardening and preserving youth
Performing a variety of movements slows down the ageing of the body. This is because the human body is more prepared to take on everyday tasks. Garden work produces aerobic exercise, with beneficial effects on the heart and cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Swedish research at the Karolinska Institute, among others, showed that in people over 60 involved in gardening, the risk of heart attack and stroke fell by up to 30 per cent.
It has also been proven that older people who frequently tend their garden are less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Hortitherapy and mental capacity and resilience
In the early 2000s, it was discovered that anaerobic soil bacteria can stimulate human brain function. Scientists believe that soil bacteria of the species Mycobacterium vaccae They can also enhance cognitive abilities, facilitate learning and strengthen memory.
Numerous studies, also confirm the positive effects of these bacteria on the health of people suffering from allergies and diseases of an autoimmune nature, such as psoriasis.
