HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PLANTS ON PEOPLE

Evolutionary origins are suggested for the affinity of people with plants.
Plants enter the human psyche through observation and/or participation.
Given a choice, people prefer settings with vegetation over those lacking vegetation.
Research indicates such settings reduce stress, promote peace, tranquility, enhanced self-esteem, and sense of mastery of the environment.

Horticultural therapy is cited for its history of using plants as a treatment modality.
Settings of vegetation reduce blood pressure and heart rate, speed recovery from surgery and other forms of stress, and enhance sense of well-being.
They ameliorate the institutional effects of geriatric centers.

Community gardening and tree planting lead urban residents to social and physical actions for improving neighborhoods.
Gardening also positively affects self-image and social relationships of prison inmates.

Horticulture in Human life, Culture and Environment

C.A. Lewis

Landscape preference, People-plant relationships, Horticultural therapy, Community gardening, Psychological effects of plants, Physiological effects of plants, Social effects of plants, Horticulture and human health

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.391.2