Developing Forest Therapy Programmes Based on the Health Benefits of Terpenes in Dominant Tree Species in Tara National Park (Serbia)

Martina Zorić, Jelena Farkić, Marko Kebert, Emina Mladenović, Dragić Karaklić, Gorana Isailović and Saša Orlović
Additional contact information
Martina Zorić: Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Čehova 13d, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Jelena Farkić: Academy of Applied Studies, Bulevar Zorana Djindjica 152a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Marko Kebert: Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Čehova 13d, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Emina Mladenović: Department of Fruit Growing, Viticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Dragić Karaklić: Public Enterprise ‘Tara National Park’, Milenka Topalovića 3, 31250 Bajina Bašta, Serbia
Gorana Isailović: Forest Therapy Southeastern Europe, Gospodar Jevremova 25, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Saša Orlović: Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Čehova 13d, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Numerous medical studies have shown the positive effects of forests on different aspects of human health. This study deals with the content of major terpenes in dominant coniferous species in Tara National Park, Serbia, in order to explore the potential for the development of a novel health tourism programme based on forest therapy. Main terpenes were analysed using a headspace-sampling technique coupled with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (Head-space-GC/MS). Needles of fir and spruce growing in the vicinity of hiking trails were investigated for possibilities to perform such therapy. Major detected terpenes were α-cadinol and spathulenol previously described as antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory agents. The results of the study were favourable and worked well with the existing walking infrastructure in the observed area of the Tara Mountain, as they act as invaluable resources for designing the structured forest bathing walks. The study not only adds to the knowledge in the environmental and public health realm but also to tourism and sustainability studies.

Keywords: BVOCs; Picea abies; Abies alba; Shinrin-Yoku; human health; hiking trails; tourism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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