Horticultural Therapy

Horticultural Therapy (HT) is a specialized professional practice that utilizes plants, gardening activities, and the natural landscape to enhance the well-being of individuals. This therapy is designed for diverse populations, including those with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, elderly individuals, children and adults with special needs, and people recovering from trauma. Horticultural therapy must be conducted by a registered horticultural therapist (HTR) and be delivered in the form of structured activities such as planting, garden maintenance, and nature crafts to achieve therapeutic goals in various settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community gardens.

Benefits

  • Mental Health Improvement: Engaging with nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. According to Van Den Berg & Custers (2011), gardening activities can decrease cortisol levels, a stress indicator, and improve mood.
  • Physical Fitness: Gardening contributes to improved mobility, strength, and cardiovascular health, beneficial for the elderly and those in physical rehabilitation.
  • Cognitive Enhancement: Exposure to nature and gardening boosts attention, memory, and executive functioning. Detweiler et al. (2012) found that dementia patients showed improved cognitive function and reduced agitation after participating in horticultural activities.
  • Social Interaction: HT promotes community and social interaction, helping to alleviate isolation and foster supportive networks.

Resources

Therapeutic Horticulture

Therapeutic horticulture (TH) involves using gardening activities to promote physical and mental well-being. Unlike horticultural therapy, it can be facilitated by individuals with various levels of experience and is often integrated into broader wellness and community programs.

Benefits

  • Physical Health: Gardening provides exercise that enhances strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. Zick et al. (2013) observed a reduction in BMI among participants of community gardening projects.
  • Mental Health: It alleviates symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, enhancing emotional resilience (Soga et al., 2017).
  • Cognitive Benefits: Activities like planning garden layouts enhance cognitive functions such as attention and problem-solving (Berman et al., 2008).
  • Social Interaction: Fosters community building, alleviating feelings of isolation, particularly in vulnerable populations (Hale et al., 2011).

Resources

Vocational Horticulture

Vocational horticulture (VH) is an area of HT/TH practice that focuses on the cultivation and management of plants for commercial and personal purposes, offering practical and therapeutic benefits, particularly for adults with disabilities. This field provides opportunities for employment and skill development through activities like gardening, landscaping, and nursery operations.

Benefits

  • Skill Development: Enhances fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social skills. Relf (1992) noted improvements in physical and mental well-being through horticultural activities.
  • Employment Opportunities: Offers flexible work environments tailored to individual abilities, providing a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
  • Social Inclusion: Encourages teamwork and collaboration, fostering a sense of community and inclusion (Gonzalez & Kirkevold, 2014).

Resources

Citations:

  • Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychol Sci. 2008 Dec;19(12):1207-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x. PMID: 19121124.
  • Detweiler MB, Sharma T, Detweiler JG, Murphy PF, Lane S, Carman J, Chudhary AS, Halling MH, Kim KY. What is the evidence to support the use of therapeutic gardens for the elderly? Psychiatry Investig. 2012 Jun;9(2):100-10. doi: 10.4306/pi.2012.9.2.100. Epub 2012 May 22. PMID: 22707959; PMCID: PMC3372556.
  • Gonzalez MT, Kirkevold M. Benefits of sensory garden and horticultural activities in dementia care: a modified scoping review. J Clin Nurs. 2014 Oct;23(19-20):2698-715. doi: 10.1111/jocn.12388. Epub 2013 Oct 15. PMID: 24128125.
  • Hale J, Knapp C, Bardwell L, Buchenau M, Marshall J, Sancar F, Litt JS. Connecting food environments and health through the relational nature of aesthetics: gaining insight through the community gardening experience. Soc Sci Med. 2011 Jun;72(11):1853-63. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.03.044. Epub 2011 May 1. PMID: 21596466; PMCID: PMC3114166.
  • Relf, Paula. (1992). Human Issues in Horticulture. HortTechnology. 2. 159-171. 10.21273/HORTTECH.2.2.159.
  • Soga, Masashi & Gaston, Kevin & Yamaura, Yuichi. (2016). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports. 5. 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007.
  • Van Den Berg AE, Custers MH. Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. J Health Psychol. 2011 Jan;16(1):3-11. doi: 10.1177/1359105310365577. Epub 2010 Jun 3. PMID: 20522508.
  • Zick CD, Smith KR, Kowaleski-Jones L, Uno C, Merrill BJ. Harvesting more than vegetables: the potential weight control benefits of community gardening. Am J Public Health. 2013 Jun;103(6):1110-5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301009. Epub 2013 Apr 18. PMID: 23597347; PMCID: PMC3698715.