Publications on Forest Medicine, Forest Therapy and Nature-Based Health

TV Feature | Forest Bathing and Health

Can Forest Bathing Reduce Stress and Support the Immune System?

In the TV program München tut gut, journalist Eva Walig heads into the forest with Dr. Melanie H. Adamek and Sabine Oberg to explore the effects of forest bathing.

Together, they look at whether spending time in the forest can reduce stress and support the immune system. The feature goes beyond theory: Eva Walig tries a range of sensory and relaxation exercises and experiences how beneficial a carefully guided forest session can be. Her conclusion: “A very special nature experience that is good for body, mind and soul.”

General-Interest Article | Forest Bathing and Self-Care

Learning to Rest: Forest Bathing with the 3-2-1 Exercise

How can we move beyond simply walking through the forest and truly begin to unwind? Alena Grubinka’s article in The Female Explorer explains why forest bathing is more than an ordinary walk and explores the role mental load can play in our ability to switch off. Psychologist and forest therapist Sabine Oberg, faculty member at the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy, offers practical insights and shows how the 3-2-1 exercise can gently bring our attention back to the present moment.

Expert Article | Biophilic Design

Bringing Nature into Our Indoor Spaces

How can indoor spaces support health, concentration and recovery? In her article for Medico Journal, Gabriele Beck explores how light, plants, natural materials and organic forms influence the way we feel and how Biophilic Design can enhance homes, workplaces and healthcare environments. Designer Simone Raus, faculty member at the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy, explains how these principles can be applied in practice.

Research | Landmark Study on Shinrin Yoku

How Shinrin Yoku Found Its Way into Science

Today, Shinrin Yoku and Forest Bathing are known far beyond Japan. But when did these terms first enter international medical research?

A landmark study published in 2007 by Dr. Qing Li and his research team marks an important starting point. In this publication, the terms Forest Bathing and Shinrin Yoku were first used and defined in a scientific context. This gave the Japanese practice a shared language that helped shape its international study and wider recognition.

The researchers also wanted to know whether the effects of a multi-day forest stay could be observed not only in how people felt, but also in measurable physiological changes. Twelve healthy men spent three days and two nights in forest areas in Japan. After the stay, natural killer cell activity was higher than before in eleven of the twelve participants. The average increase was around 50 per cent. The number of NK cells and several proteins involved in their immune function also increased.

The study was small and could not answer every question. Its particular significance lies in making Shinrin Yoku scientifically tangible and opening the way for many further studies into forests, health and the immune system. For anyone interested in how modern research into forest bathing began, this publication offers a fascinating insight into one of its most important early milestones.

Podcast | Forest Therapy

Forest Therapy for Greater Vitality and Well-Being

How can the forest support body, mind and emotional well-being? Where is forest therapy used, and what matters in professional practice?

In this episode of Naturheilkunde Kompakt, Dr. Melanie H. Adamek speaks with Yasmin Niederstenschee about the health potential of forests, the therapeutic applications of forest-based approaches and how the forest can become a personal place of retreat and renewal.

An engaging conversation for anyone who would like to understand forest therapy more fully and rediscover the forest for themselves.

Expert Article | Nature Connection and Mental Health

Forest Therapy and Resilience: How Nature Helps Us Grow Stronger

What helps us regain our balance after challenging times? This article explores how contact with nature and a sense of connection with the natural world can support self-regulation, inner stability and confidence in our own abilities. In CO.med, Institute Director and IWSA faculty member Dr. Melanie H. Adamek combines accessible research with practical examples and a simple exercise. She invites readers to discover the forest not only as a place of relaxation, but also as a personal space in which resilience can be experienced and strengthened.

Expert Article | Nature-Based Health Programs

Blue and Green Spaces: Rediscovering Healing Landscapes

Why do some places make us feel better almost immediately? This article takes readers to forests, parks, lakes, coastlines, thermal springs and saline landscapes, exploring what these different natural environments can offer for health and well-being. In Der Heilpraktiker, Institute Director and IWSA faculty member Dr. Melanie H. Adamek connects traditional healing environments with current research and highlights new opportunities for prevention, rehabilitation and contemporary health-resort medicine.

Video Feature | Shinrin Yoku in the Park

Forest Bathing: Slowing Down and Engaging All the Senses

In this video, Dr. Qing Li shows how easy it can be to begin practising Shinrin Yoku. Forest bathing does not require a remote woodland. A park can also offer a good opportunity to slow down and consciously connect with nature.

Dr. Qing Li introduces three essential principles: walk slowly, engage all the senses and enjoy the atmosphere of the forest. An accessible introduction for anyone wishing to discover Shinrin Yoku and try it for themselves.

Expert Article | Longevity and Prevention

Healthy Aging in Harmony with Nature

Healthy aging is about more than simply living for as many years as possible. It also means remaining active, resilient and independent for as long as possible. This article shows how regular experiences in nature can support movement, stress regulation, emotional balance and social connection. In CO.med, Institute Director and IWSA faculty member Dr. Melanie H. Adamek explains why forest and nature therapy can offer a practical and meaningful complement to modern longevity approaches.

Expert Article | Sensory Awareness and Embodied Experience

Tactile Nature Experiences: Strengthening and Healing

When did you last consciously feel moss, tree bark, a stone or the wind against your skin? This article focuses on our sense of touch and explores how direct experiences of nature can support body awareness, presence and stress regulation. In Der Heilpraktiker, Institute Director and IWSA faculty member Dr. Melanie H. Adamek combines professional insights with practical suggestions. A simple exercise invites readers to experience the effects for themselves.

Non-Fiction Book | Forest Bathing, Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy

IM-WALD-SEIN: The Complete Guide to Forest Bathing and Shinrin Yoku

What really lies behind forest bathing, Shinrin Yoku and forest therapy?

Dr. Melanie H. Adamek takes readers on a journey through the fascinating world of forests and human health. Accessible research, encounters with leading experts in Japan, personal experiences and a specially developed practical test bring the scientific foundations to life through vivid and engaging insights. A comprehensive book for anyone wishing to understand the health effects of forests more fully and discover the potential of mindful time in nature.

Reference Book | Forest Medicine and Research

Forest Medicine

For readers wishing to explore the scientific foundations of forest medicine in greater depth, this English-language publication offers an important reference work. Edited by Dr. Qing Li, Forest Medicine brings together contributions on the health effects of spending time in forests and natural environments and traces the international development of this emerging field of research. The book is particularly valuable for anyone interested in understanding the background, studies and development of modern forest medicine.

Non-Fiction Book | | Forest and Health

Forest Bathing

The German-language edition of Dr. Qing Li’s internationally published book Forest Bathing, published as Die wertvolle Medizin des Waldes, introduces readers to the science and practice of Shinrin Yoku. In an accessible and engaging way, he explains how mindful time among trees can support physical and mental well-being and why forest bathing offers far more than an ordinary walk in the woods. An inspiring guide for anyone wishing to understand the health benefits of forests and experience the restorative power of nature for themselves. 

Expert Article | Holistic Children’s Health in Nature

The Forest as a Healing Space: How Nature Can Support Children

What can the forest offer children experiencing stress, anxiety, concentration difficulties or psychosomatic symptoms? This article shows how movement, sensory experiences, breathing exercises and creative activities in nature can support children’s development and well-being. In CO.med, Institute Director and IWSA faculty member Dr. Melanie H. Adamek uses practical examples and exercises to explain how forest therapy and forest education can strengthen self-efficacy and emotional stability.

General-Interest Article | Forests and Health

The Forest’s Magical Healing Powers

This feature in Bella takes readers on a journey into the restorative world of forests. It draws on key insights from Dr. Melanie H. Adamek’s non-fiction book IM-WALD-SEIN and offers an engaging introduction to the ways mindful forest visits can reduce stress, enhance well-being and support personal health. At the same time, it inspires readers to rediscover the forest, see it with fresh eyes and experience its beneficial effects for themselves.