Forest Medicine

The events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war have created an increasingly severe national mental health crisis. According to the National Council for Trauma, approximately 625,000 people in Israel are expected to suffer from psychological damage as a result of the attack and war. Israel's healthcare system is facing a severe shortage of mental health professionals, high costs of private therapy, and a significant increase in the use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. At the same time, urban lifestyle, disconnection from nature, and professional burnout have become common phenomena negatively affecting our physical and mental health. Studies show that more than 25% of the population suffers from some mental health issues during their lifetime, and rates of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease are steadily rising.

What is Forest Medicine?

Forest Medicine (Forest Therapy or Shinrin-Yoku in Japanese) is a research-based therapeutic practice that encourages mindful and relaxing time in the forest for health and wellness purposes. It originated in Japan in the 1980s and is now recognized worldwide as a complementary therapeutic tool in public healthcare systems in many countries such as Japan, Finland, Australia, and Canada.

Canada, for example, is one of the world's leading countries in implementing Forest Medicine as part of its public health system. In recent years, the Canadian government has invested significant resources in developing "Nature Prescription" programs (PaRx - Parks Prescription) where doctors prescribe structured time in nature to their patients as part of their treatment plan. Today, more than 5,000 doctors and medical professionals in Canada are certified to prescribe "nature prescriptions" to their patients, and the program is recognized by national health organizations.

Unlike a regular hike or "spending time" in nature, Forest Medicine is based on a structured therapeutic protocol and focuses on deep connection with the forest through the five senses, with the assistance of certified guides. The forest journey lasts about three hours, includes seven stations based on sensory focus and absorption of materials released from trees.

International studies have proven that Forest Medicine has many emotional and physical benefits: reducing stress and improving mood, alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing mental fatigue and burnout, as well as strengthening the immune system, improving endocrinological balance, improving blood pressure and heart rate metrics, and more.

Our Innovative Research

In Israel, Forest Medicine is only in its early stages, but its potential is enormous, especially in light of the health and mental challenges that Israel faces following the October 7 war. As a condition for implementing this unique treatment method in the Israeli healthcare system, there is a need for comprehensive academic research. The results of our Israeli research initiative, which has already received approval from the Helsinki Committee, will allow this intervention to be integrated as one of the treatment options for PTSD victims in Israel.

The research focuses on studying the impact of Forest Medicine on the national and personal trauma of Israelis and combines advanced technologies such as fMRI brain imaging and AI-based physiological monitoring.

Leading Research Team

Prof. Itamar Grotto Former Director-General of the Ministry of Health and member of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization		Dr. Efrat Danino Director of the School of Nursing, Shamir Medical Center
Dr. Neta Maimon CEO of Neuro-Fi, Music and Brain Researcher		Galia Ben Haim CEO of "Forest of Possibilities" and founder of the Israeli Center for Forest Medicine, certified Forest Medicine guide

Over 240 studies worldwide have examined the positive effects of Forest Medicine, but this is the first of its kind in the world that will examine the effectiveness of Forest Medicine treatment and its physiological and psychological effects compared to other methods such as forest bathing, and will focus on physiological measures (blood pressure, pulse, cortisol level, EEG, HRV, alpha-amylase, as well as measures of emotional resilience, stress, and burnout).

What Does the Project Include?

The research includes a sample of 500 people, 10 groups, with 50 participants in each group aged 18 and above, from across the social spectrum. Each group undergoes three meetings, with each meeting lasting three hours.

Participants will go on a 3-hour journey in a group, but the experience is personal. They will pass through 7 stations based on slowing down, focusing on the senses, and absorbing materials released from trees through repetitive exercises that allow self-learning and develop personal responsibility for strengthening resilience.

In parallel, there is a training group for 40 forest guides who, upon completion of the research and presentation of the results, will be able to integrate and implement this unique therapeutic program.

The research is taking place at the "Forest of Possibilities," seventy dunams of natural woodland and eucalyptus trees near Petah Tikva, and is expected to last about six months until the end of 2025, with the first group (out of 10 research groups) already underway.

Its purpose is to examine Forest Medicine using advanced technologies:

• fMRI laboratory - allows scientists and researchers to observe brain activity in real-time without an invasive procedure
• Advanced AI analysis in collaboration with "Revealense" company
• Measurement of various physiological parameters - blood pressure, pulse, respiration, function via portable EEG, HRV, alpha-amylase level

Testimonials describe emotional and mental transformation and change.

The research results are expected to provide a scientific foundation that will enable the integration of Forest Medicine into the public healthcare system and welfare processes in organizations.

Five years from today, our vision is that community doctors throughout the country will be able to prescribe a "forest prescription" to any patient who needs it. Forest treatment will provide an accessible and immediate response to mental and physical distress, as first aid or preventive treatment, at a cost of about one-third of the average psychological treatment price.

"The impact of Forest Medicine on reducing symptoms of trauma is one of the most impressive I've seen in my career." - Prof. Itamar Grotto

How Can You Help?

The total project budget, including research with 500 subjects and a training program for forest guides (40 guides in the first year), stands at 2.3 million NIS.

As of today (4/2025), 1.3 million NIS has been raised. Required assistance: 1,000,000 NIS (270,000$)

The research has begun – Results presentation date: October 2025

Your support is not just a donation; it's an investment in public health and the mental resilience of Israeli society during this critical period. Together, we can create a lasting impact and bring relief to those whose lives have changed due to mental and physical distress.

We would appreciate if you would consider joining the effort.

For more information:

Sigal Adar, CEO of the Shamir Friends Association and External Relations, 97254-6615184, sigalad@shamir.gov.il

Dr. Efrat Danino, Director of the School of Nursing, Shamir Medical Center, Head of Research on Forest Medicine Email: kerendb@shamir.gov.il Phone: 97254-4215487

Website: https://forestherapyisrael.co.il/