How is Forest Bathing Different to a Walk in the Woods?
21st August 2022
Forest Bathing is a health-promoting practice that involves spending time outdoors in nature, sitting peacefully or walking slowly and leisurely through the woods or forest, immersing yourself in the natural environment and mindfully using all your senses. However, for most people it is not quite the same as a walk in the woods, although I’m sure that some people will gravitate towards aspects of it naturally and someone must have done it the first time (it is usually said to have originated in Japan as ‘Shinrin-Yoku’).
More Than Just A Walk In The Woods
The biggest differences between Forest Bathing and a more conventional walk in the woods are probably down to what you seek to achieve and what you do when you are there. Forest bathing is not about reaching a certain destination, such as the top of the hill, or completing a lap of the lake, it is more about reaching a relaxed state of being in which you mindfully notice what is happening around you using your different senses. You often don’t cover much distance when Forest Bathing. It isn’t about cardiovascular fitness either, although it can reduce your blood pressure and increase your heart-rate variability, so it does have some comparable health benefits to a more vigorous walk through the woods. When people go for a walk in the woods, they often spend a lot of time ‘in their own heads’, distracted by thoughts, maybe replaying things over in their heads, or thinking about what they need to do when they get home, or what they need to buy when they go shopping later in the day.
When people go Forest Bathing they usually seek to spend time ‘in the moment’ and connect to their surroundings through their senses paying attention the sights, sounds, feel, smell and tastes that they encounter. Forest Bathing is about intentionally engaging with nature in a mindful way. It is not uncommon on a Forest Bathing walk in an area that you very familiar with, to notice lots of things going on around you that you have never noticed before.
Guided Forest Bathing
People are often first introduced to Forest Bathing through the experience of being led by Forest Bathing Guide, although you can just take yourself Forest Bathing if you understand what you should be trying to do. The function of a Forest Bathing Guide is to help you to slow down, both physically and mentally, and to support you to relax and let go of stress by offering structured nature-connection activities, known as Forest Bathing ‘Invitations’. These are offered in a carefully designed sequence to create an experience that enhances nature-connection and boosts the therapeutic and restorative effects of nature for health and well-being. However, a fundamental concept in Forest Bathing is that it is the forest and the natural environment that facilitates the wellbeing benefits, and not the guide. As Amos Clifford, author of ‘Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature’ describes: “The Forest is the Therapist. The Guide Opens the Doors.”
One of the things that really attracted me to Forest Bathing is that it is all about appreciating the wonder and beauty in nature and our surroundings, rather than about ‘knowledge’. Whilst for some people, a walk in the woods is about identifying, and often recording on their phones, what they see, on a Forest Bathing walk it is all about shifting your attention and focus from learning about what something in the forest is to learning how something in the forest makes you feel.
The Forest Bathing Practice of Sit Spot
Whilst Forest Bathing is often associated with walking in woodland, you can practice increasing your connection with nature in any kind of natural environment, and sitting still and quietly observing nature, such as with the Forest Bathing practice ‘Sit Spot’ can sometimes be the most powerful. Very simply, find yourself a place in nature where you can comfortably sit and just ‘be’, immersing yourself in the world around you, engaging with it through all your senses and reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world. Give yourself permission to simply sit, observe and be present. Start by taking a few deep breathes and then turn your attention to each of your sense individually. Notice what you can see, what you can hear, what you can smell, what you can feel and what you can taste. When thoughts arise, gently bring yourself back to your senses; to the sounds, sights, smells, and feel of your surroundings. Notice the specific qualities of the place in which you are and your place within it.
10 ml of Therapeutic Grade Hinoki Cypress Essential Oil in a dropper bottle.
Bring the calming scent of the Japanese forest into your home with Hinoki Oil. Distilled from the sacred Hinoki Cypress, this beautifully woody and citrus-fresh essential oil is inspired by the restorative practice of forest bathing and helps create moments of calm, mindfulness, and nature connection.
Hinoki Oil – Bringing the Essence of the Japanese Forest into Your Home
Imagine stepping into a quiet forest of ancient Japanese cypress trees. The air is cool and still. Sunlight filters through the canopy, and the scent of warm wood, fresh needles, and distant citrus fills your senses. This is the experience that Hinoki Oil can evoke.
Distilled from the revered Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), a tree that has been treasured in Japan for centuries, Hinoki Oil carries a distinctive aroma that is soft, woody, slightly smoky, and subtly citrusy. Its fragrance is often associated with traditional Japanese temples, forest shrines, and the restorative practice of forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku.
Many people find Hinoki's scent deeply calming and grounding. Rich in natural plant compounds known as phytoncides, it offers a simple way to bring a little of the forest indoors when spending time among trees is not possible.
Use a few drops in a diffuser during meditation, yoga, journalling, or quiet reflection. Add it to a warm bath to create a spa-like atmosphere, or simply inhale its aroma whenever you need a moment of stillness and reconnection.
At Forest Healing, we love Hinoki because it captures something of the quiet wisdom of old forests. Its scent invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember that we are part of the natural world, not separate from it.
Ways to enjoy Hinoki Oil:
• Diffuse to create a peaceful, woodland-inspired atmosphere
• Add to a nature connection or mindfulness practice
• Blend with cedarwood, bergamot, frankincense, or lavender
• Use as part of an evening wind-down ritual
• Bring the scent of the forest into your home, workspace, or therapy room
A small bottle of Hinoki Oil offers more than a fragrance. It offers an invitation to pause, reconnect, and experience a little of the restorative spirit of the forest wherever you are.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to six 10ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
Ayurvedic Wellbeing Collection – A Complete Ritual of Scent, Self-Care and Botanical Wisdom
A thoughtfully curated collection inspired by the ancient traditions of Ayurveda and the restorative power of mindful self-care.
This special bundle brings together three complementary botanical oils that invite you to slow down, create space for yourself, and cultivate moments of calm and presence in your daily life.
Combining our Ayurvedic Blend Essential Oil, Ashwagandha Oil, and Kumkumadi Oil, this collection offers a simple yet meaningful self-care ritual inspired by centuries of plant-based wisdom.
What's Included?
Ayurvedic Blend Essential Oil
A rich and grounding aromatic blend of Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Agarwood (Oud). Warm, woody, and deeply contemplative, it helps create an atmosphere of stillness and reflection through diffusion or aromatherapy use.
Ashwagandha Oil
A traditional Ayurvedic infusion of Ashwagandha root in nourishing sesame oil. Ideal for massage and body care, this deeply grounding oil supports relaxation and provides an opportunity to reconnect with your body through mindful touch.
Kumkumadi Oil
A luxurious Ayurvedic facial oil centred around saffron and a rich blend of botanical extracts. Traditionally used as part of evening skincare rituals, it helps transform everyday self-care into a moment of presence and restoration.
A Ritual of Slowing Down
Modern life often encourages us to move quickly from one task to the next. This collection offers an invitation to do the opposite.
Begin by diffusing the Ayurvedic Blend to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Take time to massage Ashwagandha Oil into the skin, bringing awareness back to the body and breath. Complete the ritual with a few drops of Kumkumadi Oil applied gently to the face, creating a quiet moment of care before rest.
Together, these practices encourage a slower rhythm and a deeper sense of connection with yourself.
Perfect For:
• Creating a regular self-care or wellbeing ritual
• Meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation practices
• Evening wind-down routines
• Gifts for those interested in Ayurveda and natural wellbeing
• Anyone seeking a more intentional approach to rest and restoration
At Forest Healing, we believe wellbeing grows through small acts of attention and care. This collection brings together three beautiful botanical oils that support those moments, helping you create a daily ritual inspired by nature, presence, and ancient wisdom.
A complete Ayurvedic-inspired self-care collection for body, mind, and spirit.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to three 30ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
As the seasons change may we pause to meet the turning of the year with wonder.
Celtic-Inspired Nature Connection Ideas offers gentle, creative ways to deepen your relationship with the living world around you — through seasonal reflection, simple rituals, and nature-based practices inspired by Celtic tradition.
Whether you are looking for a meaningful gift, a companion for your own practice, or a way to mark the longest day with more intention, this book invites you to slow down, step outside, and listen.
Celebrate the light. Honour the land. Reconnect with the natural world.
This 40 page perfect-bound book is A5 in size and contains 16 Celtic-Inspired nature connection invitations including: Spiritually Engaging with a Tree; Becoming One with the Earth; The Cailleach’s Stone; Thin Places; Appeasing the Sídhe; and one for each of the four ‘Cross-Quarter’ days - Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh.
There is also an overview of ‘The Celtic Calendar’ and how and why nature played such an important role in Celtic culture.
Find guidance, resilience, and wellbeing through the wisdom of nature.
This practical 64-page workbook combines nature connection activities, mindfulness practices, and reflective exercises to help you improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. Discover how the lessons found in trees, seasons, landscapes, and natural processes can support personal growth, resilience, and positive change. Includes access to more than 30 additional nature connection activities, articles, and downloadable resources.
Nature has been guiding and supporting human wellbeing for countless generations. This workbook is an invitation to step outside, slow down, and rediscover the wisdom that has been waiting for you all along.
Nature as a Guide: A Pathway to Mental and Emotional Health and Wellbeing
In a world that often encourages us to move faster, achieve more, and spend less time outdoors, nature offers a different invitation. It invites us to slow down, notice, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Nature as a Guide is a practical and inspiring workbook designed to support your mental and emotional wellbeing through nature connection, mindfulness, and gentle self-reflection. Drawing upon the wisdom found in woodlands, landscapes, seasons, and natural processes, this workbook encourages you to discover how the natural world can become a trusted companion on your journey towards greater resilience, balance, and wellbeing.
Across its pages, you will find thought-provoking exercises, reflective questions, and nature-based activities that help you explore where you are in life, where you would like to be, and how nature's patterns and metaphors can illuminate the way forward. From learning resilience through the changing seasons to finding inspiration in the quiet strength of trees, the workbook helps translate nature's lessons into meaningful insights for everyday life.
Whether you are experiencing stress, navigating change, seeking greater self-understanding, or simply longing to deepen your relationship with the natural world, this workbook offers practical tools and gentle guidance to support your journey.
As an added resource, the book includes access to more than 30 additional nature connection activities, articles, and downloadable materials, enabling you to continue exploring and developing your own relationship with nature long after you have completed the workbook.
The Gaelic Tree Alphabet – A Journey Through the Ogham Trees and Celtic Nature Wisdom
Step into the living language of trees.
The Gaelic Tree Alphabet is inspired by the ancient Ogham tradition, sometimes known as the Celtic Tree Alphabet, where each letter is associated with a tree or plant deeply rooted in Celtic landscape, myth, and cultural memory. This beautifully illustrated booklet explores 18 trees that form the Gaelic Tree Alphabet, offering a gentle introduction to one of the oldest symbolic nature-based systems in Europe.
Rather than treating trees as abstract symbols, Ogham reflects a worldview in which the natural world was a teacher, guide, and living presence. Each tree carries its own qualities, stories, and ecological character — from the protective strength of Oak and the renewing energy of Birch, to the wisdom of Hazel and the resilience of Rowan.
Inside this 28-page A5 booklet, you will discover:
• The 18 trees that form the Gaelic Tree Alphabet
• The meanings, folklore, and ecological characteristics of each tree
• Insights into the Ogham tradition and its connection to early Gaelic culture
• Reflections on how trees were understood as carriers of wisdom, language, and symbolism
• A gentle introduction to Celtic tree lore and nature-based ways of seeing the world
This booklet is not simply about learning an ancient alphabet — it is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with the intelligence of the natural world. Each tree becomes a doorway into a deeper relationship with landscape, season, and place.
Whether you are drawn to Celtic heritage, fascinated by tree symbolism, or simply looking for a more meaningful way to connect with nature, The Gaelic Tree Alphabet offers a quiet companion for reflection and discovery.
Let each tree be a reminder that language does not only belong to humans — it also lives in roots, branches, wind, and soil.
A small book, carrying an old forest language into the present moment.
It costs £5 and P&P is FREE within the UK and £4 to the Rest of the World.
A practical nature-based workbook for people in recovery.
Develop skills to cope with cravings, manage stress, build resilience, and reduce the risk of relapse through nature connection and nature mindfulness practices. Created from real-world experience supporting people in recovery, this 64-page workbook combines practical exercises, reflective activities, and mindfulness techniques inspired by the natural world. The workbook also contains a link to register for access to over 30 further nature connection activities, as well as articles and additional downloads.
Supporting Your Recovery Through Nature Connection
Coping with Cravings and Preventing Relapse Using Nature Mindfulness
Recovery is not simply about leaving something behind. It is about rediscovering yourself, rebuilding resilience, and finding healthier ways to navigate life's challenges. Nature can be a powerful companion on that journey.
Supporting Your Recovery Through Nature Connection is a practical and compassionate workbook designed to help people recovering from alcohol and other drug use develop new skills for managing cravings, reducing stress, and preventing relapse through nature connection and nature mindfulness practices.
Drawing on the restorative qualities of the natural world, this workbook offers a range of accessible exercises, reflective activities, and mindfulness practices that can help you reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and your sense of purpose. Through engaging with trees, landscapes, seasons, wildlife, and natural processes, you will discover how nature can provide inspiration, perspective, calm, and strength during the recovery journey.
The workbook explores practical ways to use nature as a source of grounding during difficult moments, helping you to recognise triggers, develop healthier coping strategies, and build greater emotional resilience. Rather than focusing solely on what you are recovering from, it encourages you to explore what you are recovering towards: a life with greater wellbeing, meaning, connection, and hope.
Written by Hugh Asher and developed through years of experience supporting people affected by problematic substance use, this workbook is also informed by the successful delivery of a Nature Mindfulness programme within the Scottish prison system. The activities have been designed to be simple, practical, and accessible, whether you live in a rural area, a town, or a city.
Nature teaches us that growth is rarely linear. Forests recover after storms. Trees adapt to changing conditions. New life emerges from what once seemed barren. This workbook invites you to discover how these same lessons can support your own journey of recovery, resilience, and renewal.
A beautiful journal for deepening your relationship with nature.
Designed by Forest Healing, this A5 journal provides 28 opportunities to reflect on your nature connection experiences through writing, drawing, and guided reflection. Record what you notice in nature, what you notice in yourself, and the insights that emerge along the way. With inspiring quotations, high-quality uncoated pages, and a luxurious velvet-laminated cover, it is the perfect companion for Forest Bathing, Sit Spots, mindful walks, and everyday moments of connection with the natural world.
P&P is FREE within the UK.
Postage to the Rest of the World is £4.
The more time we spend paying attention to the natural world, the more we begin to notice. A familiar tree that changes through the seasons. The return of birdsong after Winter. The scent of rain on the earth. The subtle shifts in our own thoughts, feelings, and wellbeing when we slow down and take time to connect.
This Nature Connection Journal has been created as a companion for your nature connection journey, helping you to capture experiences, deepen your reflections, and develop a richer relationship with the natural world around you.
Each spread combines a page for writing, sketching, or creative expression with a structured reflection page that invites you to consider what you noticed in nature, what you noticed in yourself, and what you learned from the experience. The journal also includes inspiring quotations that encourage curiosity, mindfulness, and deeper engagement with the living world.
Whether you use it after a Forest Bathing session, a mindful walk, time spent at your sit spot, or simply a few minutes in a local park or garden, the journal helps transform fleeting moments of connection into lasting memories and meaningful insights.
Over time, your journal becomes more than a record of places visited and things observed. It becomes a record of your own journey; a reflection of how your relationship with nature evolves and how nature, in turn, influences your wellbeing, perspective, and sense of belonging.
With high-quality uncoated pages suitable for writing and drawing, and a beautifully soft velvet-laminated cover that feels as inviting as the experiences it contains, this is a journal designed to accompany you into woods, parks, gardens, and wild places for years to come.
Begin where you are. Notice what is around you. Record what matters. Allow nature to tell its story alongside your own.
30ml (a bigger bottle) of Therapeutic Grade Hinoki Cypress and and Yuzu Essential Oils.
Shinrin Yoku Blend #1 – The Essence of Forest Bathing
Bring the atmosphere of a Japanese forest into your home with our signature Shinrin Yoku Blend #1.
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku – often translated as ‘Forest Bathing’ – this carefully crafted blend combines therapeutic-grade Hinoki Cypress and Yuzu essential oils to create an aroma that is both deeply grounding and gently uplifting. The practice of Shinrin-yoku was developed in Japan as a way of reconnecting with the natural world through mindful immersion in the sights, sounds, scents, and atmosphere of the forest. Research has shown that time spent in woodland environments can help reduce stress, support wellbeing, and foster a greater sense of calm and connection.
The rich, woody fragrance of sacred Hinoki Cypress evokes ancient temple forests and mountain woodlands. Revered in Japan for centuries, Hinoki is associated with peace, harmony, and quiet reflection. Its warm forest aroma is beautifully balanced by the bright, fresh notes of Yuzu, a traditional Japanese citrus fruit valued for its refreshing and revitalising scent. Together they create a fragrance that captures the feeling of walking slowly through a sunlit woodland after rain.
Many people use this blend during meditation, journalling, yoga, relaxation, or simply as part of a daily ritual to bring a sense of nature indoors. A few drops in a diffuser can transform a room, helping to create a peaceful atmosphere that encourages you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself and the natural world.
Our Shinrin Yoku Blend #1 is supplied in a generous 30ml dropper bottle and contains therapeutic-grade Hinoki Cypress and Yuzu essential oils. The Hinoki oil is distilled from sustainably sourced by-products of the timber industry, making use of wood remnants and shavings that would otherwise go to waste.
Ways to enjoy Shinrin Yoku Blend #1
• Diffuse during meditation, mindfulness, or yoga practice
• Add a few drops to a terracotta leaf diffuser
• Create a calming atmosphere in your home or workspace
• Use as part of an evening wind-down ritual
• Enhance your indoor nature connection practice when visiting a woodland is not possible
More than an essential oil blend, Shinrin Yoku Blend #1 is an invitation to experience something of the restorative spirit of the forest wherever you are. Each drop carries the scent of woodland air, helping you cultivate moments of stillness, presence, and connection throughout your day.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to three 30ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
10 ml of Therapeutic Essential Oils in a dropper bottle - perfect for bringing the outdoors indoors and experiencing the uplifting effects of inhaling the Phytoncides from the trees.
Our Himalayan Blend is inspired by this mountainous region and contains Himalayan Cedar Wood Oil (Cedrus deodara), Betel Leaf Oil (Piper betle) and Amber Oil (Pinus succinefera) Essential Oils.
The organically crafted Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil is steam distilled from the striking, rich wood of Cedrus deodara trees harvested wild in the forests of India. Himalayan Cedarwood Oil has an exceptional therapeutic capacity and a beautifully rounded appealing aroma, especially in its middle notes. Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil has been used in medicines and cosmetics throughout the ages. This essential oil helps to manage minor pain and inflammation, especially relating to chronic pain and inflammation of arthritic joints. Cedarwood Oil is also a good choice when looking to support healthy lungs and promote clear breathing. Owing to its anti-bacterial properties, this essential oil is also supportive when looking to reduce unwanted bacteria and viruses. Emotionally and energetically, this gorgeously aromatic essential oil is grounding and calming, and it also helps support an overtaxed nervous system and is incredibly stabilising during stressful transitions.
The organically crafted Betel Leaf Essential Oil is steam distilled from the glossy green heart shaped leaves of the Piper betle vine, popularly known as Paan in India. This essential oil is light yellow to dark yellow in colour with a pungent spicy fragrance. Piper betle has been used in a variety of traditional medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic System of Medicine. In Ayurveda, Betel Leaf Essential Oil has been described as an aromatic stimulo-carminative, astringent and aphrodisiac.
The rare Amber Oil is extracted from the fossilised sap of the giant prehistoric conifer pines Pinus succinefera from the majestic Himalayan region of India. Amber Oil is known for its soothing, anti-stress and anti-anxiety properties, and the aroma is reputed to have an energising and refreshing influence on the mood while helping to keep the emotions grounded.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to six 10ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
Ayurvedic Blend Essential Oil – A Deeply Grounding Aroma of Sacred Woods and Resins
A rich and contemplative blend inspired by ancient traditions of meditation, reflection, and connection.
Ayurvedic Blend combines four of the world's most treasured aromatic ingredients: Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Agarwood (Oud). Together, they create a warm, woody, and deeply grounding fragrance that encourages stillness, presence, and quiet reflection.
The scent unfolds in layers. Frankincense brings a resinous depth long associated with mindfulness and contemplation. Cedarwood offers a steady, grounding foundation reminiscent of ancient forests. Sandalwood contributes its distinctive creamy warmth, treasured for centuries throughout India for its calming and meditative qualities. Agarwood, also known as Oud, adds a rich and complex character, lending a sense of mystery, depth, and timelessness.
The result is a sophisticated blend that feels both earthy and uplifting, creating an atmosphere of calm focus and spacious awareness. Its aroma invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and step away from the noise and distractions of modern life.
Many people enjoy this blend during meditation, yoga, journalling, breathwork, or moments of quiet reflection. Diffused into a room, it creates an environment that feels peaceful, grounded, and restorative — helping to support a sense of balance and inner stillness.
At Forest Healing, we believe that scent can become a bridge between ourselves and the wider natural world. Just as a forest path invites us to slow our pace, the aroma of sacred woods and resins can help us return our attention to the present moment. This blend is an invitation to cultivate that sense of presence wherever you are.
Ways to use Ayurvedic Blend:
• Diffuse during meditation, mindfulness, or yoga practice
• Create a calm atmosphere for journalling or creative work
• Use as part of an evening relaxation ritual
• Support moments of reflection and quiet contemplation
• Bring the aroma of sacred woods and resins into your home or therapy space
A deeply grounding blend inspired by ancient aromatic traditions — warm, contemplative, and rich with the scent of precious woods.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to six 10ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
Ashwagandha Oil – An Ancient Ayurvedic Oil for Restorative Self-Care
A deeply nourishing botanical oil inspired by one of Ayurveda's most respected herbs.
Ashwagandha Oil is crafted by infusing the roots of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), often known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry, into organic sesame oil using traditional Ayurvedic methods. For centuries, Ashwagandha has been valued within Ayurveda as a herb associated with resilience, vitality, and restoration, making it one of the most widely respected plants in the Ayurvedic tradition.
Rich and warming, this luxurious oil is traditionally used as a massage and body oil, helping to create a sense of grounding and ease while supporting the skin's natural softness and suppleness. Its gentle, earthy aroma carries subtle notes of root, wood, and warm sesame, making it particularly suited to quiet moments of self-care and reflection.
In Ayurvedic practice, Ashwagandha is often associated with helping to restore balance during periods of stress, fatigue, and overwhelm. When used as a massage oil, it has traditionally been valued for soothing tired muscles and encouraging relaxation after physical or mental exertion.
At Forest Healing, we believe that wellbeing often begins with slowing down. Applying Ashwagandha Oil can become a simple daily ritual — an opportunity to pause, reconnect with your body, and cultivate a deeper sense of presence. Whether used as part of an evening wind-down routine or a mindful self-care practice, it offers a gentle reminder to nurture yourself with the same care that nature offers the living world.
Ways to use Ashwagandha Oil:
• Massage into the body as part of a relaxing self-care ritual
• Apply after bathing to nourish and soften the skin
• Use before meditation, mindfulness, or yoga practice
• Support tired muscles after physical activity
• Incorporate into an evening routine to encourage rest and relaxation
A traditional Ayurvedic oil that invites stillness, restoration, and a deeper connection with the wisdom of plants.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to three 30ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
Kumkumadi Oil – An Ancient Ayurvedic Beauty Ritual for Radiant Skin
A luxurious botanical oil inspired by one of Ayurveda's most celebrated skincare traditions.
Kumkumadi Oil, also known as Kumkumadi Tailam, is a traditional Ayurvedic blend centred around saffron – one of the world's most treasured botanicals. For centuries, this richly infused oil has been used in India as part of daily self-care rituals designed to support healthy, radiant-looking skin.
Our Kumkumadi Oil is crafted from saffron and a complex blend of over twenty Ayurvedic herbs and botanicals infused into nourishing sesame oil. Among its ingredients are saffron, red sandalwood, vetiver, licorice, blue water lily, lotus, Indian madder, and other traditional plant extracts that have been valued in Ayurvedic practice for generations.
The aroma is warm, earthy, and subtly exotic, carrying the scent of herbs, flowers, and precious botanicals. Applied as part of an evening skincare ritual, it encourages a slower, more mindful approach to self-care — transforming a simple skincare routine into a moment of reflection and restoration.
Traditionally, Kumkumadi Oil has been used to help improve the appearance of skin tone and texture, support a brighter complexion, and promote skin that appears healthy, smooth, and nourished. Saffron, the signature ingredient from which the oil takes its name, has long been prized for its association with luminosity and radiance.
At Forest Healing, we see products like Kumkumadi Oil as more than cosmetic treatments. They offer an opportunity to slow down, pay attention, and cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself through simple daily rituals. Just as Forest Bathing invites us to reconnect with nature, mindful self-care invites us to reconnect with ourselves.
Ways to use Kumkumadi Oil:
• Apply a few drops to clean skin as part of an evening skincare ritual
• Massage gently into the face and neck before bed
• Use during mindfulness or self-care practices
• Incorporate into a slow, restorative evening routine
• Combine with quiet reflection, journalling, or meditation
A beautiful Ayurvedic botanical oil that brings together ancient wisdom, plant-based care, and the art of slowing down.
Postage and Packing is £2 for up to three 30ml bottles in the UK.
Due to insurance and liability reasons, we no longer ship our essential oils to the USA or Canada - Sorry!
‘Grounding’ is a phrase that I have heard used quite often in relation to Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy, but it can mean two different things depending on the context in which it is used, as we are going to explore here. It can both be a way of helping you to gain some distance from your thoughts, feelings, and memories by bringing you back to the present moment; and connecting yourself to the Earth (Earthing) through direct contact.
Sit Spot is a beneficial practice that helps foster mindfulness and connection with nature. It involves taking a moment to sit in one spot in nature for at least 20 minutes, giving wildlife time to become accustomed to your presence and resume their own behaviour. Through staying still in your chosen spot you can cultivate a deeper comprehension of yourself, others, and the wider natural world.
'Invitations' are a core concept in the practice of 'Forest Bathing' or shinrin-yoku, a Japanese term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere". The practice involves spending time in a forest or natural environment to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing. The term "invitations" refers to specific, gentle suggestions or prompts, usually offered by a guide or practitioner to help participants to engage more deeply with their natural surroundings.
Hugh Asher
I’m Hugh and I’m a Certified Forest Bathing Guide and Forest Therapy Practitioner, having trained with the Forest Therapy Institute and the Forest Therapy Hub. My purpose in life is to inspire people to improve their wellbeing, and to help people to help and inspire others to improve their wellbeing. I do this through promoting greater nature connection as I am a passionate believer in the benefits to health and wellbeing that nature and increased connection to nature can bring.
Professionally, I have worked for over twenty years supporting people experiencing: mental health problems; autism; learning disabilities; school exclusion; experience of the care system; and a history of offending behaviour. Currently I am the ‘Recovery Through Nature Lead’ in a residential rehab for people experiencing drug and alcohol problems.
I have a PhD in Therapeutic Relationships, but Dr. Hugh makes me sound too much like a Time Lord.
A small collection designed to gently open the door into deeper relationship with the natural world.
This complete set of four Forest Healing booklets brings together practical guidance, reflective ideas, and simple nature connection practices that can be used anywhere — from ancient woodland to a nearby park, garden, or even a single Sit Spot outdoors.
Written to be accessible, grounding, and easy to follow, these booklets offer a pathway into the core practices of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku), Silvotherapy, and everyday nature connection. Rather than asking you to achieve anything, they simply invite you to slow down, notice more deeply, and allow nature to become an active presence in your wellbeing.
Across the four booklets you will explore:
• What Forest Bathing, Silvotherapy, and Nature Connection actually are
• The key benefits of spending mindful time in natural environments
• The practice of the “Sit Spot” and how to develop your own relationship with a chosen place
• Simple, practical Forest Bathing invitations you can try alone or with others
• Ways to bring nature connection into everyday life, even in small moments
Together, they form a gentle introduction to practices that have been shown to support reduced stress, improved mood, greater clarity of thought, and a deeper sense of belonging within the natural world.
These are not academic texts or rigid instruction manuals. They are invitations — encouraging you to step outside, slow your pace, and rediscover the quiet intelligence of trees, weather, and landscape.
Whether you are completely new to nature connection or looking to deepen an existing practice, this collection offers a simple, supportive starting point for building a more intentional and restorative relationship with the living world around you.
A small set of booklets that can change the way you experience even the most familiar patch of nature.
Buy all Four Forest Bathing and Nature-Connection Booklets for £11.00 including FREE P&P within the UK.
Postage to the Rest of the World is £4.