31/08/2026
The Scent of the Forest Is More Than Just a Pleasant Smell
When you walk through a pine, spruce or fir forest, that distinctive fresh scent comes partly from volatile plant compounds released into the air.
Research led by Dr. Qing Li has explored how spending time in forests may affect the human body. Studies have detected compounds such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene in forest air, while these substances were barely present in the urban air examined.
Even more interestingly, forest visits have been associated with changes in certain immune system functions, including increased activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells.
This does not mean that a walk in the forest prevents cancer or cures diseases. These are measurable biological responses, not a medical treatment.
But they do suggest something fascinating: our bodies respond to the environments in which we spend time.
And Sardinia? The island is far more than beaches and turquoise water. Its interior is home to extensive, remarkably wild forests, including cork oak, holm oak and Mediterranean mixed forests. The Foresta Pantaleo, for example, covers around 4,200 hectares and forms part of the Gutturu Mannu Regional Park.
Sometimes, the most refreshing wellness experience is simply a walk among the trees.
Read the full German article on our blog: Waldbaden – Die faszinierende Kraft der Waldluft.
https://beachcom.ch/waldbaden-und-die-unsichtbare-kraft-der-baeume/