|
  |
|
|
Horticulture as a therapeutic form throughout history
By Jane Keightley of giggleberries
The use of gardens as therapeutic, medicinal or pleasurable places is not a modern idea; the principle can be traced back as far as garden history itself. The first pleasure gardens were in Egypt in 600 B.C. and evidence of pleasure gardens in the Middle East and orient also exists. One of the earliest written descriptions of a restorative garden setting is within the text of Gilgamesh, a book depicting the reign of a Middle Eastern ruler, King Gilgasmesh, who is thought to have reigned in about 2700BCE (Wells 1997) It records a tablet of clay inscribed with the description of the restorative qualities of a garden ‘whose inhabitants knew neither sickness, violence or aging... a garden of precious stones, like an earthly paradise’ (Wells 1997) This description shows the cultural value placed on gardens in relation to health.
The concept of the Islamic paradise garden which was characterised by an enclosing wall to create a space stocked with plants, trees and animals spread across the world and integrated into Mogul gardens of India and the Moorish gardens of Africa and southern spain.
Healing places are historically nearly always found in nature, a healing spring, a sacred grove etc. The first European hospitals were in monastic communities during medieval times. Here the infirmary used not the garden not only for medicinal herbs but also as a area for patients to recuperate and rest. During the reformation and European renaissance, the monastic gardens were lost, but the arrival of the renaissance garden which studies have relieved was also a form of therapeutic landscape, continued the trend. Rosenfield describes Italian renaissance gardens as ‘affording its visitors the temporary repose to restore mental vitality, it lent a sense of tranquillity, and demonstrated the rewards of detachment and the ability to shift one’s perspective.’ (Flagler 1994).
Increasing medical technology has superseded the healing powers of nature and the theory that plants and access to nature could assist with healing was all but lost until. Gardens in hospitals were seen as purely decorative and inaccessible by the patients. Towards the end of the twentieth century the connection with health and nature was once again revived and scientists such as Roger Ulrich and Kaplan began to study the healing effects of nature. At a time when the level of stress induced on the human mind is at is height, a need to find a antidote resulted in the return to nature. Studies have shown that people choose to be outdoors when they are feeling stressed, depressed or anxious.
Plants have always played a key role in human culture, they are fundamental to all life forms. Plants would survive without humans, but humans could not survive without plants. They provide us with basic survival needs, such as oxygen, food and building materials and influence our language and life style. Human life is enriched by its affiliation with nature and natural processes wich are biologically ingrained in all people. This is the theory of Edward O. Wilson who published the Biophillia Hypothosis, which ‘proclaims a human dependence on nature that extends far beyond the simple issues of material and physical sustenance to encompass as well the human craving for aesthetic, intellectural, cognitive and even spiritual meaning and satisfaction.’ (Kellert & Wilson 1993) The theory looks at why humans are inclined to affiliate with natural life and suggests that it is part of our species’ evolutionary heritage and therefore inherent. If this is so, it would explain why horticultural therapy and therapeutic landscapes work so well and have managed to survive the ever increasing technological advancement in medical care. If nature is part of our biology as the theory suggests it would point to the fact that specially designed gardens for Alzheimer suffers would indeed benefit them a great deal, as these are people who are regressing to their natural biological instincts through deterioration of the mind.
Modern day horticultural therapy was first recognized by the western world in 1812 by Dr Benjamin Rush. He published ‘The Disease of the Mind’ in which he suggests gardening as an aid to problems of the mind; he recognized horticulture as a way of keeping the mind and body exercised. Since then various studies in to the value of using horticulture as therapy for patients with mental health problems has taken place, O’Reilly and Handforth conducted a study in 1955 on a group of 14 women with various mental problems and reported that ‘ of the 14 patients who participated in our pilot project, only one has failed to show a striking degree of improvement.’ (Sempik et Al 2003) Improvements in personal appearance, hygiene, improvements in social functioning and a reduction of violent outburst were recorded. At the later end of the twentieth century until present day, serge in natural living and alternative remedies has occurred. Food scares, an increase in occupational therapy as opposed to more traditional medication and an increased awareness of personal health has lead to a surge in ‘organic’ living. Architects and designers of health care environments have also taken these points on board and in have started to create functionally efficient environments that also have psychologically supportive characteristics for patients such as incorporating healing gardens in to care homes and institutions or simply allowing patients recovering from surgery to view nature through a window close to there bed. Studies by Dr Roger Ulrich have concluded that the passive visual effects of nature reduces stress in patients recovering from surgery and enables faster healing with less drugs.
|
|
 |
|
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Horticulture as a therapeutic form throughout history" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
|
|
This intel was contributed by Jimbob
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
