Immune Support

Hiroko Ochiai et al. (2025) · Scientific reports

This randomized controlled trial with 78 healthy men aged 40 to 70 explored whether walking through a forest affects immune function differently than walking through a city. The researchers focused on secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an antibody found in saliva that forms part of the body's mucosal immune system — the first line of defense lining the nose, mouth, and airways against viruses and bacteria. They also tracked cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, and mood, on the idea that stress and immune function are closely linked through the body's hormonal stress-response system. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to a 90-minute guided walk, either along a certified forest-therapy trail in a Tokyo forest park or an equivalent route through Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, walked in two 45-minute segments with a shared lunch. Guides kept pace, distance, and rest breaks consistent between groups and encouraged participants to engage their senses with surroundings appropriate to each setting. Saliva and blood were sampled before and after walking to measure sIgA, cortisol, and related markers, and mood was measured with the POMS2 questionnaire. Forest walking significantly increased salivary sIgA compared with urban walking (adjusted difference +32.1 µg/mL, 95% CI 2.3–62.0, meaning a real, though modest, immune-marker boost; p = .035). Cortisol dropped significantly more after the forest walk (p = .007, indicating a stronger stress-hormone reduction), and dopamine — linked to pleasure and motivation — rose more as well (p = .048). Mood benefited too: participants felt more energized (higher Vigor-Activity, p = .001) and less generally distressed (lower Total Mood Disturbance, p = .007) after the forest walk than after the urban walk. Interestingly, white blood cells and certain immune cell counts (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) rose more after the urban walk, which the researchers link to the body reacting to city air pollution rather than a benefit of urban walking. No one experienced side effects, and everyone who started the walks finished them. These results suggest a single, unhurried forest walk can meaningfully support immune defenses and lower stress compared with an identical walk in the city, at an activity level gentle enough for most adults. The study only tested one walking session in healthy middle-aged and older Japanese men, so it can't say whether the benefits build with regular practice or extend to other groups. Participants and staff also knew which environment they were in, which could shape self-reported mood. Still, it adds solid evidence that time in nature is a low-risk way to support wellbeing.

Tiffany J Barsotti et al. (2023) · Explore (New York, N.Y.)

This exploratory study investigates the effects of encountering a sacred object, specifically the Sri Yantra / Durga Stone, on human biofield responses. The significance of this research lies in its potential to bridge traditional healing practices with modern scientific understanding, particularly in the context of enhancing well-being through sacred objects. The study aims to explore how such encounters influence emotional and physical health, addressing a gap in existing literature regarding the biofield and sacred spaces. The study employed a pre-post single group design with a sample size of 17 participants, aged 38 to 79, consisting of 12 women and 5 men, all of whom provided informed consent. Participants engaged with the sacred object by placing their hand on the Sri Yantra / Durga Stone for up to 3 minutes, optionally reciting a mantra. Outcomes were measured using a Bio-Well device, which assessed emotional pressure, energy levels, and readings from various organ systems before and after the encounter. The intervention was conducted at the Sri Narayani Golden Temple in Vellore, India, with no specific treatment provided beyond the encounter itself. Results indicated a significant increase in the overall Bio-Well energy state, with baseline levels of 53.78 significantly lower than pre-exposure levels of 60.54 (p = 0.005) and post-exposure levels of 66.78 (p < 0.001). Significant changes were also observed in cardiovascular (F(2,32) = 11.441, p < 0.001) and endocrine system assessments (F(2,32) = 10.34, p = 0.001). However, emotional pressure and left/right symmetry measures did not show significant changes (p = 0.017 and p = 0.156, respectively). Participants reported enhanced feelings of energy, emotional balance, and a sense of peace, with no adverse events noted during the study. The findings suggest that exposure to sacred objects may enhance emotional and physical well-being, indicating potential therapeutic applications in clinical settings. However, the study's limitations include the absence of a control group and the short duration of exposure, which may affect the validity and generalizability of the results. Practitioners may consider incorporating similar interventions into therapeutic practices to explore their benefits further. Future research should include control conditions and longer engagement times with sacred objects to better assess their effects on the human biofield and overall health.

Pratyusha Veldhi et al. (2025) · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

This 2023 ethnobotanical review investigated the medicinal plants native to Pike County, Eastern Kentucky, and their pharmacological benefits. The study combined a local survey with a literature review to validate the medicinal properties of 14 identified plants: Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Porcelain (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima). The survey identified various traditional uses for these plants, including nutritional benefits, insect repellent properties, and applications for conditions such as rheumatism, inflammation, and infections. For instance, Pawpaw is traditionally consumed for its nutritional value and has shown potential in modern research for anticancer and antimicrobial activities, with studies indicating its extracts inhibit the HIF-1 transcription factor, which is involved in tumor growth. Beautyberry has been noted for its insect-repelling properties and has demonstrated efficacy against MRSA infections in research settings. Pipsissewa has been traditionally used for rheumatism and has shown antifungal and anticancer properties in scientific studies. Chicory serves as a coffee substitute and has hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects, while Boneset is recognized for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. The findings highlight the rich ethnobotanical knowledge of the local population and the pharmacological potential of these plants. However, this review is limited by the small sample size of survey participants (n=4) and the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce bias. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to validate these findings and explore the therapeutic applications of these plants more comprehensively.

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi et al. (2024) · Neuropsychopharmacology reports

This 2023 randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of remote biofield energy therapy on cognitive and motor functions in adults with perceived neuropsychological problems. Biofield energy therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that utilizes the energy surrounding and permeating the human body to enhance healing and well-being. The study involved 114 participants aged 20 to 55 years, who were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a sham control group, and a biofield intervention group. Cognitive and motor functions were assessed using the NIH Toolbox at baseline (day 0), day 90, and day 180. Results indicated that the biofield intervention group experienced significant improvements in language function (p < 0.0001), working memory (p < 0.0001), and episodic memory (p < 0.0001) scores compared to both the control and sham control groups. Additionally, significant enhancements were observed in locomotion, standing balance, dexterity, grip strength, and muscle endurance (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001). No adverse effects were reported, suggesting that remote biofield energy therapy is a safe and effective non-invasive intervention for improving cognitive and motor functions in adults with neuropsychological impairments. However, this study had limitations, including a small sample size and the need for further research to validate these findings across diverse populations and settings. Larger randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and mechanisms of biofield energy therapy in clinical practice.