Essentially, Phytoncides are the Essential Oils released by trees, and are part of the tree’s immune system. Trees protect themselves from pathogens, bacteria, insects, and other threats by releasing these volatile organic compounds into the air and showering themselves with a protective barrier of these compounds.
When humans are close to trees, we are being showered by phytoncides too, and that’s where the term forest bathing originated. We are literly being showered or bathed in phytoncides in the rich atmosphere of the forest. Japanese scientists discovered that when humans breathe in phytoncides, the activity of white blood cells called NK cells (or natural killer cells) increases significantly and that has a positive efferct on human health. The natural killer cells are an important part of our immune system, and fight against diseases including types of cancer.
