Our home, the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald of Germany, fascinates with a unique landscape, rich culture and healing properties. It awakens a deep longing for nature, traditional practices and holistic wisdom. Its special air due to the living forest and altitude, humidified by countless streams, rivers and thermal springs, brings therapeutic benefits and rich healing history.
Schwarzwald: The Black Forest
The Black Forest is the largest and highest contiguous low mountain range in Germany. It is located in Baden-Württemberg in the southwest of Germany. Roughly speaking, the Black Forest forms an elongated rectangle between Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Basel and Bodensee (Lake Constance).
The Black Forest consists of three parts. The southern Black Forest is characterized by graceful valleys and dark forests, gentle hills with mighty single-roof farms and lush meadows where brown and white cows graze.
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Things look different in the northern and central Black Forest. The valleys are narrower and even more densely overgrown. There are half-timbered houses and villages here where the sun rarely appears.
And in the west, where the slopes of the Black Forest merge into the sunny Rhine plain, fields and vineyards dominate the picture.
“Nature, the beautiful Black Forest, should heal old wounds.”
“Die Natur, der schöne Schwarzwald sollte alte Wunden heilen.“
-Völker, 1905
The Black Forest is known for its vast water elements of mountain lakes, fresh streams and flowing rivers. Standing in Schiltach, one can close their eyes and picture the historical Flößer, or raftsmen, commanding felled trees down stream as the Schiltach river meets the mighty Kinzig.
Schwarzwald: the Black Forest a history of healing
The Black Forest or Schwarzwald is world renowned for its thermal water springs and their impressive healing powers ever since the Roman era. Water bubbles up from 2,000 meters below ground, unleashing nourishment packed with trace elements and minerals such as lithium and magnesium. Bathers can expect this powerful water to ease cardiovascular disorders, rheumatic diseases and joint complaints, as well as being impressed by its lasting healing effects for people with metabolic disorders and respiratory diseases.
Schwarzwald: healing properties
In Seelbach, SEELEDU’s home in the heart of the Black Forest, the healthy climate is guaranteed by the state seal of approval as a “climatic health resort” (Luftkurort). Luftkurort, literally meaning 'air spa', is a title given to towns or cities in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany which are health resorts which have a climate and air quality which is considered beneficial to health and recovery.
The fresh mountain air found in Luftkurorts is the perfect location to embrace in the Waldeinsamkeit, or the spiritual connection one receives from being alone in the woods. The benefits of seeking solitude in the forest are long documented and vast. Forest bathing has a relaxing effect and strengthens the immune system.
Scientific healing benefits of time in the forest:
hiking alone in forests helps reduce stress by lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels (Park, 2010)
Improved mental function (Won, 2011)
lower levels of rumination (meaning less worrying!) & decreased activity (Bratman, 2015)
Increase parasympathetic nervous system activity (meaning your rest and digest functions run better allowing you to calm down) (Lee, 2011)
Increased immune system functioning (Li, 2009, 2011)
Enhances expression of anti- cancer proteins (Li, 2006, 2007)
Decrease blood glucose levels (Ohtsuka, 1998)
Higher incidence of positive emotions (Park, 2011)
Reduction in blood pressure (Mao, 2012)
relaxing effects even with just short-term viewing of forests (Tsunetsugu, 2013)
Reduced symptoms of ADHD (Kuo, 2004)
Improved self esteem (Barton, 2010)
And more!
Join us to let the healing history of the Schwarzwald work its magic on you… enjoy, connect, walk slowly, sit, lean against a tree, remember, dream and take in the Black Forest with all your senses. Journey through the Schwarzwald and explore more about the Schwarzwald Hexen, local legends, & healing properties of the Black Forest in our retreats and Waldbaden programs. Waldbaden offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the healing powers of the forest. You can bathe in the tranquility of the forest and also experience the profound benefits for both mental and physical health.
Author & Photographer: Justine Ferland
Justine Ferland is a passionate psychologist, educator, and coach who brings over 20 years of experience to her work. As the founder of SEELEDU, she specializes in integrating nature for enhanced well-being.
References
Barton, J., Pretty, J. (2010). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis. Environmental Science and Technology. 44: 3947-3955.
Bratman, G.N., Hamilton, J.P., Hahn, K.S. & Gross, J.J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenus prefrontal cortex activation. Pyschological and cognitive sciences. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1510459112
Kuo, F. E., Taylor, A. F. (2004) A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From a National Study. American Journal of Public Health. 94(9): 1580-1586.
J. Lee, B.-J. Park, Y. Tsunetsugu, T. Ohira, T. Kagawa, Y. Miyazaki,Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects, Public Health,Volume 125, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 93-100,ISSN 0033-3506, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2010.09.005.
Li, Q., Nakadai, A., Matsushima, H., Miyazaki, Y., Krensky, A., Kawada, T., Morimoto, K. (2006) Phytoncides (Wood Essential Oils) Induce Human Natural Killer Cell Activity. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 28:319-333.
Li Q, Morimoto K, Nakadai A, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Shimizu T, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Suzuki H, Miyazaki Y, Kagawa T, Koyama Y, Ohira T, Takayama N, Krensky AM, Kawada T. Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2007 Apr-Jun;20(2 Suppl 2):3-8. doi: 10.1177/03946320070200S202. PMID: 17903349.
Li Q, Kobayashi M, Wakayama Y,Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Kawada T, Park BJ, Ohira T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. (2009).Effect of Phytoncide from Trees on Human Natural Killer Cell Function. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology. 22(4):951-959.
Li Q. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 Jan;15(1):9-17. doi: 10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3. PMID: 19568839; PMCID: PMC2793341.
Mao G.X., Cao, Y.B., Lan, X.G., He, Z.H., Chen, Z.M., Wang, Y.Z., Hu, X.L., Lv, Y.D., Wang, G.F., Yan, J. (2012). Therapeutic Effect of Forest Bathing on Human Hypertension in the Elderly. Journal of Cardiology. 60:495-502.
Ohtsuka Y, Yabunaka N, Takayama S. Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Int J Biometeorol. 1998 Feb;41(3):125-7. doi: 10.1007/s004840050064. PMID: 9531856.
Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 Jan;15(1):18-26. doi: 10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9. PMID: 19568835; PMCID: PMC2793346.
Bum-Jin Park, Katsunori Furuya, Tamami Kasetani, Norimasa Takayama, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki,Relationship between psychological responses and physical environments in forest settings, Landscape and Urban Planning,Volume 102, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 24-32, ISSN 0169-2046,
Tsunetsugu, Y., Lee, L., Park, B.-J., Tyrväinen, L., Kagawa,T., Miyazaki, Y. (2013) Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Urban Forest Landscapes Assessed by Multiple Measurements. Landscape and Urban Planning. 113: 90-93.
Völker, T. (1905). Berghausgästebuch - Herminen Berghaus. https://www.hercynen-berghaus.de/geschichte/
Won Sop Shin wonsop.shin@gmail.com , Chang Seob Shin , Poung Sik Yeoun & Jae Joon Kim (2011) The influence of interaction with forest on cognitive function, Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 26:6, 595-598, DOI: 10.1080/02827581.2011.585996
I loved this piece. I especially loved the references at the end. Spectacular images. Awesome.