Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing is the act of taking in the forest air and atmosphere, it is like natural aromatherapy. The atmosphere refers to the smells, noise (sometimes silence) and the colours of the forest. The term (shinrin-yoku) was coined in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Tests have shown that even a brief time walking through, or sitting in, or looking at trees and forests, reduces stress and blood pressure and enhances human health and wellbeing. Whenever you can, take time out, find a forest or woodland area, breath deep and listen. You may not feel or hear anything, but maybe that is not such a bad thing.
The smells are a complex mix of forest and woodland smells; deciduous broad-leafed trees, conifer trees, moss, flowers and various ferns mixed with fresh clean air. Smells are a mix of fresh and rotting foliage with some floral and citrus notes added. Trees such as cypress, fir, pine and cedars emit natural oils affecting our health. One such oil is phytoncide which is a wood essential oil and is emitted from cypress and cedar trees.
Our HQ is based in the middle of a forest in Nagano at an altitude of 1300m. When we are there we feel calm and relaxed. Shinrin-yoku is the main underlying theme of all our candles. We are lucky to have our HQ in the same prefecture as the Kiso Valley; famous for its Hinoki oil production as well as beautiful landscapes and forests.