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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2021

Garden smellscape – experiences of plant scents in a nature-based intervention

Palsdottir, Anna Maria; Spendrup, Sara; Martensson, Lennart; Wendin, Karin

Abstract

This study explores how participants suffering from stress-related mental disorders describe their perception, interaction, and lived experience of garden smellscape during their nature-based rehabilitation. Natural elements, and especially nature smells, have been found to have a profound effect on stress reduction, suggesting an interesting link between odor in nature and stress reduction. The study was conducted as a longitudinal case-study, running over a period of 5 years, investigating participants’ perceptions of a garden smellscape, after completing a 12-weeks nature-based rehabilitation in Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden, Sweden. All participants were treated for stress-related mental disorders. Data were collected through retrospective semi-structured individual interviews and analyzed according to interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results revealed in what way nature odor (odor in nature) evoked associations, emotions, and physical reactions and provide examples of how nature scents function as a catalyst for sensory awareness and memories. Findings supported the understanding that experiencing the smell of plants, especially pelargonium, may facilitate stress reduction and support mental recovery in a real-life context. The results of the study can be used for several purposes; thus, they are relevant for actors within the development of nature-based therapy, as well as stakeholders within the horticultural industry.

Keywords

pelargonium; horticulture therapy; odor; public health; ambient scent; stress-related mental disorder; well-being

Published in

Frontiers in Psychology
2021, Volume: 12, article number: 667957

      SLU Authors

    • Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG3 Good health and well-being

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
      Horticulture

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667957

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/112830