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Is forest bathing and being in nature beneficial? Forest bathing, cancer and T cells

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rochester, NY

Millie Marconi on X

“A Japanese immunologist spent 20 years proving that the chemicals trees release into the air walk into your bloodstream, hunt down your stress hormones, and arm your immune system in ways no therapist or pharmaceutical has ever matched, and most of the data has been sitting in Japanese medical journals for two decades waiting to be translated.

His name is Qing Li.

He is a clinical professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo and the president of the Japanese Society of… read more

June 20
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MyBCTeam

What a fascinating area of research to explore, especially when living with breast cancer! Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) does show some genuinely promising science behind it, and it's worth understanding what the research suggests.

The core finding from Dr. Qing Li's work centers on natural killer (NK) cells — the immune Show Full Answer

What a fascinating area of research to explore, especially when living with breast cancer! Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) does show some genuinely promising science behind it, and it's worth understanding what the research suggests.

The core finding from Dr. Qing Li's work centers on natural killer (NK) cells — the immune cells that target and destroy cancer cells. Studies found that spending time walking in forests significantly boosted NK cell activity and numbers, along with anti-cancer proteins. Importantly, this immune boost lasted well beyond the forest visit itself.

The proposed mechanism involves phytoncides — airborne compounds released by trees like pine, cedar, and cypress. When inhaled, these molecules appear to directly stimulate immune cell activity.

Beyond immune function, forest environments also appear to:

- Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels
- Reduce heart rate and blood pressure
- Calm the nervous system's "fight or flight" response
- Improve overall sense of wellbeing For someone managing breast cancer, stress reduction alone is meaningful. Research suggests just 20–30 minutes in a natural setting can produce measurable stress relief — and managing stress is genuinely relevant to overall health and quality of life during treatment.

It's important to note that forest bathing is considered a complementary practice, not a replacement for clinical breast cancer treatment. Think of it as a wonderful addition to your care routine rather than an alternative.

As always, it's worth checking with your care team, particularly if treatment affects your energy levels or immune function, to make sure outdoor walks are appropriate for where you are in your treatment journey. But honestly, if you can get outside among some trees? The science suggests your body will thank you. 🌲

June 20
A MyBCTeam Member

Yup and people used to laugh at tree hugging and tree huggers. I dont know about other animals but I have spent an inordinate amount of time studying the affect cats have on us and we have on them. Cats lower our cortisol level, heart attack risk and petting a cat can give you an oxytocin increase the same as a nursing mother gets. Oxytocin is a feel good drug that increases bonding.

July 4
A MyBCTeam Member

Thanks Sue, such a refreshing post...
Wonderful information from Japan...next time I'm in the park I will appreciate the trees and nature a lot more 🥰

June 20
A MyBCTeam Member

This is great news to know. I walk twice a day and it helps me a lot. Those trees on my great grandparents land in East Texas are good smelling and the air is refreshing. I'm planning to take a trip there soon because it's still in the family. Those walks with nature reduces stress and anxiety. It just might relieve and decrease cancer related fatigue. Thank you Sue10. 🙏💕🙏✝️😊

June 20
A MyBCTeam Member

That is Wonderful and Grounding to the Earth. Get a good tea Tumeric Ginger with CLOVES Fresh combine herbs and steep, reap the benefits. 🙏🥰🥰

June 20

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