Use of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Therapeutic Gardens

Abstract

Introduction:Today there is an accumulation of literature providing evidence for long and short term beneficial effects of living close to nature on various different health conditions ranging from psychological to physical disorders including depression, heart problems and diabetes. The results of these researches have given rise to the promotion of therapeutic gardens in outdoor spaces of healthcare establishments such as children's hospitals, assisted-living houses, rehabilitation centers, and hospices. Objective: Therapeutic gardens are outdoor garden spaces that meet the needs of the users mainly for their psychological well-being and healing. Our focus in this study is the use and maintenance of medicinal and aromatic plants in therapeutic gardens. Our objectives are to review the literature on this topic, categorize the role of medicinal and aromatic plants as a design element, and provide medicinal and aromatic plants design guidelines for therapeutic gardens. Methods: Entire literature on the topic are reviewed. A sense-system used to categorize medicinal and aromatic plants for therapeutic gardens with respect to the purpose of garden use. Results and Discussion: Design guidelines are created to aid the planning of medicinal and aromatic plants in therapeutic gardens. Conclusion: Consequently, it is given that aromatic plants are a good attempt to improve the healing environment of therapeutic gardens from an aesthetic as well as medicinal standpoint and our design guidelines provide the landscape designer with essential ingredients to efficiently incorporate medicinal and aromatic plants in designing therapeutic gardens.

Home Garden With Eco-Healing Functions Benefiting Mental Health and Biodiversity During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…While doing home gardening, people can improve mental health not only through taking part in physical activities, but also through getting in touch with nature. Evidence has also shown that plant fragrance or color can improve mental health ( 32 , 41 , 58 , 91 ), and natural sounds can relax people and support recovery by suggesting proximity to nature ( 31 , 55 ). In addition, some components and elements of a home garden, such as water ( 92 ) and flowering plants ( 49 ), were proved to be better for mental health.…”

“…In addition, some components and elements of a home garden, such as water ( 92 ) and flowering plants ( 49 ), were proved to be better for mental health. Besides, medicinal and aromatic plants are also good choices for home gardens which can stimulate the senses of garden users ( 32 ).…”

“…And a home garden constitutes a key center for biodiversity conservation ( 94 ). In a home garden, medicinal and aromatic plants can significantly increase biodiversity ( 95 ) and be good choices for healing because they stimulate the senses of garden users to relieve mental disorders ( 32 ). According to the WHO (World Health Organization), ( 96 ), around 80% of people in all developing countries use medicinal plants as a primary source of health care and sometimes as the only available treatment.…”

“…So people could use their balconies or private courtyards for gardening and build their own home gardens to make contact with nature and release stress, and relieve loneliness and other mental problems. And in a home garden, flowering, medicinal, and aromatic plants will be better for mental health ( 32 , 49 ). Natural sounds from birds or water are also proved to be good for mental health ( 31 , 55 ).…”

Botânica em cinco sentidos: o jardim sensorial como um instrumento para a sensibilização quanto a importância da botânica em escolas de um município do sertão piauiense

“…Nesse contexto, escolher as espécies de plantas certas para o propósito de uso e colocá-las na direção do efeito desejado são os principais fatores que afetam o sucesso do projeto de plantas (Arslan et al 2018). Para Harvey (2020) as espécies que compõem esse tipo de jardim devem ter interesse sensorial (fragrâncias e texturas), ser variadas e apresentar baixa necessidade de manutenção.…”