Page 33 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 7
P. 33
HEALTH & WELLNESS
human encroachment into Phillips) qualities, which help plants to
animal habitats, genetic modi- fight diseases. When people
fication of food, gas flaring etc We can try to play down the breathe these chemicals in, our
reflect our massive dissociation reality of the words of Father bodies respond by increasing
from our integral world. Anselm Adodo all we like, but the number and activity of a
the truth will always remain that type of white blood cell called
The air is the element that whatsoever we sowed and are natural killer cells or NK. These
keeps us alive, and without still sowing in our air, we are cells kill tumor and virus-infect-
which, nothing happens. By reaping and will continue to ed cells in our bodies. Japa-
denying that birds and ani- reap. nese researchers are currently
mals have their own form of I remember going for a forest exploring whether exposure to
language, we cut ourselves off walk sometime ago somewhere forests can help prevent cer-
from the deep meanings of our in Nairobi. The place is a well- tain kinds of cancer. The word,
words, severing language from known wellness center, which which means "exterminated by
that which supports it. We in- uses the connection to nature the plant", was coined in 1928
habit a world where everyone is as a remedy. The session start- by Dr. Boris P. Tokin, a Rus-
talking, and no one is listening. ed with regular exercises for sian biochemist from Lenin-
Communication then becomes the body, a short talk about the grad University. He found that
a shouting game rather than a issues going on in our society some plants give off very active
listening interaction. No wonder and then ended with main ses- substances which prevent them
we find it so hard to communi- sion which was the forest walk. from rotting or being eaten by
cate even amongst ourselves! Prior to that time, I had not some insects and animals.
heard of forest walking or forest
Our health, our life, our future, bathing, especially as it con- Our forest therapy instructor
depends on the quality of the cerns natural healing. It hap- went on to say that because
air around us. The rich, the pens that this particular forest of the pollution that has been
poor, the sick, the healthy, black we went for the walk in was an allowed in our cities, townships
people, white people, we all untouched forest with mainly in- and the various machines and
breathe the same air. There digenous trees. As you step into manufacturing activities, the
is no separate air for different that forest, you instantly feel the brain of man is unconsciously
categories of people. At the end difference between the normal protecting man by lowering how
of the day, what we put into the air you breathe everywhere much air we take in, in such
air will come back to us, either else and the one you start to polluted environments. That is,
to purify us or poison us. breathe in this forest. It was the brain, in trying to protect
so refreshing and therapeutic. man from the poisonous effects
It is the air that most directly The forest therapy instructor of polluted air, triggers the lungs
envelops us. The air is the shared a few pieces of informa- to take in less air and by that
element we are most directly in tion about one of the healthy the body lacks enough oxygen.
touch with. Without air, none of chemicals that forest trees and And because the air we breathe
us can survive more than a few plants release into the environ- is vital to our survival and the
minutes. As we busy ourselves ment called Phytoncides. Never correct working of the body, a
rushing to meet the next ap- heard of that name before? walk in the forest or a forest
pointment and preparing to bathing experience will help to
attend the following meeting or Phytoncides are substances restore proper intake of oxygen.
planning for a future wedding or emitted by plants & trees and
anniversary, we must not forget the term generally means the The horror that awaits us
that we do all these because aroma of the forest. "Phyton" Can we afford to downplay
the air is there. Without air, we means "plant" in Latin, and the horror that awaits us if we
are nothing. Everything else is "cide" means to exterminate. continue to undermine the fact
illusory. Phytoncides are produced that we have not been respon-
to help plants & trees pro- sible for a cleaner and greener
The air is the real deal. tect themselves from harmful environment? No we can't. We
insects and germs. They have have allowed capitalism and
(Additional writing by Samuel antibacterial and antifungal the quest for quick money to
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