How do herbs and plants affect human psyche?

Trees, grass and other green spaces help reduce stress and have a positive effect on both the psyche and cognitive functions, moreover, they can even prevent depression, said Christopher Bergland, author of books on healthy living.

In an article for Psychology Today, he noted that plants planted near the house have a positive effect on a person's cognitive functions. For example, spending long periods of time near a green area or walking in parks helps to reduce the risk of disease and improve overall mental health. In the article, the expert refers to a scientific study in which scientists tried to establish the impact of plantings on the quality of human life.

According to the findings, published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open, an abundance of grass and trees near the house does have a beneficial effect on the psyche. Those of the 13,594 study participants who were often near parks were less likely to become depressed. Subjects who were near trees and greenery also showed good rates of information processing and concentration.

The scientists did not rule out the possibility that green spaces by themselves do not affect human health, but have a positive effect by reducing air pollution or by encouraging people to be physically active, such as taking a walk in the park or tending to the trees near their home. Nevertheless, the expert highlights the importance of greenery, especially in large cities, and advises readers to spend more time outdoors in the vicinity of green spaces to observe their effects on their own health.