: Horticulture Therapy

Horticulture Therapy

Horticulture is the art and science of growing plants. Horticultural therapy is the practice of utilizing therapeutic properties of horticultural products as well as engaging people in horticultural activities so that they can improve their physical, mental and spiritual health. Or in other words horticulture therapy is a practice for the improvement of health and wellness. Therapeutic benefits occur when people are exposed to plants and plant products and experience the healing properties of them. When they take part in planning, planting, growing, and caring for plants they connect themselves to the nature and experience a spiritual growth. Horticultural therapy is an adaptable tool for people of all ages and abilities.

Horticulture therapy is a worldwide practice. It is used in aroma therapy centres, herbal cosmetics centres, ayurvedic centres, rehabilitation and vocational centers; youth outreach programs, nursing homes and senior citizen centers, hospitals, homeless shelters, mental health facilities, schools, community gardens, botanic gardens etc.
HT techniques include:

Aroma Therapy
What is Aroma Therapy?
Garden Designing and Construction
How to design a garden?
Tray gardening or Bottle gardening
Creating sensory-stimulating environments at homes and gardens with plants selected for fragrance texture and color
Greenhouse Designing and Construction
How to construct a greenhouse?
Pot pourri
What is Pot pourri?
Floral decorations, Bouquet making and Flower arrangement
Kitchen gardening and Indoor gardening
Home gardening and Home landscaping
Drying and preservation of flowers and Dried flower crafts

Benefits of Horticultural Therapy
Physical, mental, social, and creative abilities are enhanced through horticultural therapy. Benefits of horticultural therapy include:

Elevates moods
Provides meditative environment
Reducing physical pain
Providing sensory stimulation
Improving memory and concentration
Easing emotional pain and at times physical pain too
Cultivating nurturing feelings
Encouraging social interaction
Teaching responsibility
Reducing stress and anger
Enhancing productivity and problem solving