 Evidence based
research
|
| |
 |
|
|
Research
shows there are many beneficial effects
of gardening and horticultural activity.
Aimée is active in researching and promoting the benefits of
gardening and horticulture programs. It is important to increase
people's understanding of the effectiveness that gardening has and the
application of HT and TH wherever possible.
The therapeutic
horticulture community benefits from active discussion
and exchanging information to improve the way we work.
|
Horticulture in
Health: a brief history
|
|
|
|
Horticultural
therapy is a relatively new profession but history
indicates that horticulture has been employed as therapy for many centuries:
- After World War I, soldiers were
instructed
to go into the garden for healing
purposes.
- Information on
gardens have been found on ancient Egyptian tablets (stones)
- In 1798, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a
signer of the Declaration of
Independence, documented that gardening
improved the conditions of
mentally ill patients.
- Spanish hospitals in 1806 used horticultural activities
for mentally impaired patients.
- Gardening as a means of physical and psychological rehabilitation
was
used in Veterans Administration hospitals for returning world war
veterans in the U.S.A.
|
|
Benefits
of Horticultural Therapy
|
The cycles of life are in immediate
view in gardens. The ever-present processes of renewal provide
encouragement to the suffering. Horticultural
therapy provides meaningful activity and connection to
the natural world.
People can benefit
from simply viewing and growing plants but, with
guidance from a horticultural
therapist the benefits of people-plant
interactions can be focused
and enhanced. |
Some
of the proven benefits of horticultural
therapy & therapeutic
horticulture include:
- Reducing physical pain
- Providing sensory stimulation
- Improving memory and
concentration
- Easing emotional pain from
bereavement or abuse
- Cultivating nurturing
feelings
- Encouraging social interaction
- Teaching responsibility
- Reducing stress and anger
- Enhancing productivity and problem
solving
- Decreases the severity of depression
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Services
