KEY CONCEPT:
THE BENEFITS OF FOREST BATHING ARE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. TURN ANY MOMENT INTO A NOURISHING AND RELAXING NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET BY CREATING A "FOREST BATHING MIND" WITH NEO FOREST BATHING.
WHAT IS NEO FOREST BATHING?
Neo Forest Bathing formula by Neo Myalo | New Mind is forest bathing in your pocket! Breathe forest air any time you want with this powerful tree essence blend that brings the healing qualities of forest air to you with one simple breath. Dispense a drop of the formula on to your index fingers, rub them together to start smelling the tree essences, and gently place your fingertips on your temples to sense a grounded connection to the forest. Developing a practice of using this formula while enjoying nature activities creates the opportunity to connect the relaxing rhythm of the forest with everyday moments in an urban environment by simple breathing in the smell of the oils. The application of Neo Forest Bathing is a powerful neurologic cue that helps the mind easily access the “forest bathing” state anywhere, anytime.
TREE ESSENCES – PHYTONCIDES
Neo Forest Bathing is composed of phytoncides, natural compounds emitted by trees, that contribute to the therapeutic effect of forest bathing1.
“…Phytoncides significantly enhance human NK activity…”1
“Natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets that mediate anti-tumor and anti-viral responses.”2
The oils sourced for this formula come from sacred trees of the Pacific Northwest and Japan. These two places host the Earth’s only temperate rainforests and are where much of the research about the efficacy and impact of forest bathing is being conducted today. The blend of tree essences reflects the diversity of the phytochemicals emitted in the forest air, giving the user an experience of the many connections felt on a forest bathing walk.
Trees use these phytoncides as neurotransmitters, chemical messengers, to communicate about balance in the forest ecosystem. This conversation about balance includes information about nutrients, growing conditions, pests, infestations, and much more.
With Neo Forest Bathing, the user creates a moment to participate in that “balance” conversation, and receive the unique messages of psychological, physiological, emotional, and spiritual nourishment offered by the trees.
Just like a forest bathing walk, Neo Forest Bathing creates the perfect environment to reconnect with the more-than-human world for the purpose of creating balance in body and mind. With Neo Forest Bathing, that connection can happen anywhere, anytime, not just in the forest environment.
A FOREST MIND IN AN URBAN WORLD
Forest bathing as a mindfulness modality has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, enhance immune function, and increase focus. In the 1980’s when forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, became a heavily-researched public health intervention in Japan, it was seen as the antidote to many urban maladies such as hypertension, depression, and anxiety. Today, as more and more research is published internationally, the scope of forest bathing’s benefits is being repeatedly confirmed and expanded.3
“Evidence suggests beneficial therapeutic effects of forest-based interventions on hypertension, stress, and mental-health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.” 3
The most powerful tool to bring balance to our mostly-indoor lifestyle is the act of reconnecting with the outdoors frequently and wholeheartedly. The frequency and depth of the connection to nature determines the quality of the positive outcomes associated with the practice.
Frequent, high-quality interactions with the forest create a profound neural pathway to the healing “forest bathing” state of mind.
Just like all mindfulness practices, forest bathing benefits from dedication to practice. Coming back to the forest as often as possible using Neo Forest Bathing creates a powerful bond between the user and their “forest bathing” mind.
FOREST BATHING ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
Benefits of forest bathing such as a deep meditative state, relief from anxiety, relaxation, and access to the regenerative parasympathetic state, are all available by simply closing your eyes, breathing in the essences of the trees, and reconnecting with the universal conversation of balance found in the forest. This mini meditation can be done anywhere, and it only takes a moment to breath and remember your connection.
Creating this new and exciting brain pathway opens up the possibility of bringing the benefits of forest bathing into the office, home, studio, or classroom.
The healing qualities of forest bathing are available wherever you are, whenever you need them. Use Neo Forest Bathing to turn an urban walk to a nourishing experience for body and mind by calling in your “forest bathing mind” to upgrade your city walk.
“[Forest bathing walks result in] decreased pulse rate, a decrease in urinary dopamine, tendency toward decreased urinary adrenaline, a decrease in adiponectin in serum, in addition to a significantly increased score for vigor, and decreased scores for depression, anxiety, fatigue, and confusion (using POMS). In contrast, urban walking significantly increased scores for fatigue and reduced scores for vigor. As found in previously discussed studies, the cumulative effect suggests a forest bathing program induces a significant physiological and psychological state of relaxation.”4
THE FORMULA
Neo Forest Bathing essential oil formula has been carefully curated to mimic the restorative experience of being in a lush forest, offering the user a truly authentic experience of connection with nature. Just as the forest is diverse, the formula is a blend of many tree essences and contains supportive minerals that enhance the experience of the phytoncides.
TREE ESSENCES
are the foundation of forest bathing as a modality for shifting the body into balance. The physiological benefits of inhaling phytoncides, or tree essences, are profound and can support anyone on their healing journey. A boost in immunity, increased heart rate variability, regulation of respiration, and lowered heart rate caused by inhaling tree essences are just a few of the sought-after benefits of breathing forest air.
Western Red Cedar:
A most sacred and revered tree in Indigenous Pacific Northwest culture, “The Tree of Life”
Hinoki Cypress:
Since ancient times used in Japan as construction material for temples and shrines because it is believed to have unique spiritual qualities.
Pine:
Has a wide distribution across many forest types in the Northern Hemisphere including Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America, and Central America
Balsam Poplar:
Grows coast-to-coast in Canada and is one of the hardiest trees in the deciduous forest
Sage:
A shrub used in medicinal and spiritual practices, grows wild in dry climates around the world
Greenland Moss:
The oil used by renowned French oncologist, Dr. Giraud-Robert, to support patients undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
Larch:
The dominant tree in the boreal forests of Sibera and Canada
Yuzu:
a fragrant citrus tree most associated with Japan (it also has strong traditions in China and Korea), where the fruit is used for culinary and medicinal purposes such as hot cleansing baths that balance the nervous system.
MINERALS
add a layer of depth and intention to the formula that make it unlike any other essential oil blend.
Black jet:
a mineraloid derived from ancient wood
Maw sit-sit:
an extremely tough metamorphic rock
Quartz:
imprinted with 7.83hz, the frequency of the Earth (Schumann Resonance)
HOW TO USE NEO FOREST BATHING
Forest Bathing Guides
Apply as a mini ritual for grounding yourself before guiding a session. Use Neo Forest Bathing as a demonstration to your group of what phytoncides look and smell like. Offering the formula as an example of the essences trees emit helps participants understand the concrete connection between the air and their body/mind during the session. Usually the formula is offered for participants to explore as a part of the opening of the session as an introduction to the science behind the practice or as an invitation to breath during the walk.
Forest Bathing Practitioners
Apply while practicing forest bathing, when you feel especially connected to the forest, this creates the strong association between the experience of Neo Forest Bathing and your forest time. Apply daily during everyday activities to trigger the mind back into your “forest bathing mindset.”
Meditation Sessions
Apply Neo Forest Bathing to induce a relaxed state, and pair with steady breathing to calm the nervous system and a multi-sensory meditation. Nature-centered visualization and breathwork pair especially well with Neo Forest Bathing.
Relaxation Breaks
Need a mental break? Apply Neo Forest Bathing, take a deep breath, bring your focus to your favorite place in nature for a few moments. Return to work feeling refreshed and at ease!
Children
Guide children to focus their attention and awareness on the smell and experience of Neo Forest Bathing, this calm and simple redirection is supportive for shifting attention toward positive feelings when things feel unsettled.
Immune Support
Breathe in the phytoncide-rich formula to get the same benefits of forest air wherever you are! Neo Forest Bathing is a must-have while travelling to cleanse the air and provide support for your body systems.
Indoor-Environment Enhancement
Diffuse Neo Forest Bathing in any indoor environment to create a universally-calming sense of coming home to the forest. The forest is the ancestral home to humans, unlike most essential oil blends Neo Forest Bathing is suitable for everyone and well-received for its natural and inviting aroma.
Contraindications/Precautions
If you have any concerns, ask your healthcare if this formula is right for you. Neo Forest Bathing is safe to apply topically to any non-sensitive skin area and diffuse with all styles of diffusers. Those who are pregnant should choose to diffuse the formula.
1 Li Q, Nakadai A, Matsushima H, Miyazaki Y, Krensky AM, Kawada T, Morimoto K. Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):319-33. doi: 10.1080/08923970600809439. PMID: 16873099.
2 Abel AM, Yang C, Thakar MS, Malarkannan S. Natural Killer Cells: Development, Maturation, and Clinical Utilization. Front Immunol. 2018 Aug 13;9:1869. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01869. PMID: 30150991; PMCID: PMC6099181.
3 Stier-Jarmer M, Throner V, Kirschneck M, Immich G, Frisch D, Schuh A. The Psychological and Physical Effects of Forests on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 11;18(4):1770. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041770. PMID: 33670337; PMCID: PMC7918603.
4 MR, Washburn K. A Review of Field Experiments on the Effect of Forest Bathing on Anxiety and Heart Rate Variability. Glob Adv Health Med. 2019 May 16;8:2164956119848654. doi: 10.1177/2164956119848654. PMID: 31192052; PMCID: PMC6540467.