Phytoncides: which forest is healthier to walk in

At the weekend, many city dwellers seek to get out into the countryside, away from exhaust gases and closer to the forest. The most useful pastime is not inhaling smoke from the grill or increased physical exercise in the garden, but a long walk in the pine forest, since it is here that the air is saturated with plant volatile. But what is it, and how useful is it to stay in other forests, for example, in birch or oak groves?

To begin with, it is worth explaining that all plants to one degree or another produce volatile production. These substances provide them with protection against pathogenic microorganisms and fungi. Phytoncides do not have any one chemical formula, since each particular plant forms its own specific set of active elements involved in its protection. What unites them is their volatility, that is, the ability to stand out in the surrounding space, and antimicrobial properties, which differ greatly depending on the species of the plant.

The aforementioned pine forest, especially consisting of young trees, is rightfully considered one of the most useful places for walking. Phytoncides secreted by the pine can spread over considerable distances, and the ingredients they contain kill a wide range of dangerous microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and the causative agent of tuberculosis - Koch's wand. It is for this reason that in those countries where there are pine massifs, sanatoriums for patients with tuberculosis are located. According to scientists, 1 hectare of pine forest produces about 5 kilograms of useful phytoncides daily. But even more useful is the forest of juniper trees, since they form 6 times more volatile, which saturate the surrounding air. It is worth noting that all coniferous forests, including cedar, spruce and fir, are considered extremely useful for recreation precisely because of the large number of volatile products in the air.

But deciduous trees also have the ability to release phytoncides. The most famous for their antimicrobial properties are eucalyptus, myrtle and laurel. Of the deciduous trees that grow in our latitudes and produce phytoncides useful for people, we can name poplar, birch, bird cherry and linden. All of these species are known for coping with Staphylococcus aureus. It is also useful to breathe in the air of an oak grove, since the volatile production of this plant is also very strong and cope with many simple microbes. Therefore, do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a walk in a pine, birch or any other forest on the weekend, because staying among these plants is very good for your health.