Is Forest Therapy Safe? Risks, Myths and Simple Safety Rules
Forest therapy has become much more widely known in recent years. Sometimes dismissed as a passing trend or wellness fad, many people remain sceptical of a practice they may not yet understand.
Although tree hugging and forest therapy are still sometimes caricatured or mocked, the practice attracts more people every year and increasing public curiosity.
So what are the real risks? 🤷♀️
Should we be wary of forest therapy?
Are there genuine risks to consider?
And how can we distinguish a simple nature-based well-being practice from problematic or manipulative claims?
IN THIS ARTICLE
A quick definition of forest therapy
Forest therapy involves spending attentive time with trees and other plants — through observation, sensory awareness, gentle movement and sometimes physical contact — in order to slow down and restore attention,, reflect on oneself and become more aware of the natural world.
4 simple safety rules for forest therapy walks
Forest therapy is usually a gentle, low-risk activity, but being outdoors always involves real hazards: falling branches, storms, uneven ground, allergies, ticks, heat or cold, and toxic plants or fungi. A few common-sense precautions matter.
1. Be aware of pollen allergies and individual sensitivities
If you have known pollen allergies or sensitivities, it is wise to tell your forest therapy guide before the session so the route and season can be considered. No outdoor guide can guarantee an allergen-free environment, but advance information helps reduce avoidable exposure.
Bring any medication you normally use for allergies and seek medical advice beforehand if you are unsure whether an outdoor activity is suitable for you.
2. Stay aware of the group and follow safety instructions
On a guided outing, stay within the agreed area and make sure the guide knows if you step away. This reduces the risk of getting lost, missing a hazard or being separated from the group.
A responsible guide will usually carry out a site reconnaissance before a session, checking access, terrain, weather-related risks and local restrictions. That preparation cannot remove every risk, but it makes the experience safer. 😊
3. Avoid forests during storms and hazardous trees
A responsible forest therapy guide should cancel or adapt a session when weather conditions are unsafe and should be able to identify obvious areas to avoid. If your guide asks you to avoid an area, follow the instruction rather than playing Indiana Jones. 🤠
4. Ne goûtez rien à moins d’être un fin connaisseur
If your botanical knowledge is limited, do not experiment with tasting wild plants or fungi during a forest therapy walk !
Group walks may include several participants, and even a careful guide cannot watch every person every second. You remain responsible for following instructions and not eating or handling unknown species.
Which potentially hazardous plants might you encounter?
Nature offers many edible species, but it also contains plants, berries and fungi that are toxic or otherwise unsafe to eat. Particular caution is warranted around species such as:
yew,
oleander and cherry laurel,
holly berries,
lily of the valley,
foxglove,
aconite / monkshood,
spurges (Euphorbia),
wild mushrooms unless identified with expert-level certainty,
and many others.
When in doubt, leave unknown species alone. A forest therapy guide is not automatically a botanist or foraging expert, and some toxic and edible species can look confusingly similar.
As a general rule, observe rather than harvest, and avoid picking plants unnecessarily so that the ecosystem is left as undisturbed as possible. 🌏
11 common trees often encountered during forest therapy
Depending on the region, trees you may encounter on a forest therapy walk can include:
oaks,
cedars,
poplars,
birches,
horse chestnuts,
walnuts,
ashes,
firs,
eucalyptus,
willows,
common fruit trees such as apple, pear and plum.
Simply being near these trees is generally safe for most people, but individual pollen allergies, skin sensitivities, thorns, falling branches and local conditions always matter. 🌲
Can you practise forest therapy on your own?
For many healthy adults, independent forest therapy is a low-risk activity when these safety principles are followed. This does not mean there are no individual contraindications or circumstances requiring extra care: mobility limitations, allergies, severe weather, medical conditions and unfamiliar terrain may all change what is appropriate. Take your time and respect your limits.
Working with an experienced guide can nevertheless help you feel more secure and supported during an unfamiliar experience.
Giving a tree a hug can feel unusual in a culture where this is not an everyday gesture. In a group, you may attract a little attention, but you can also feel more comfortable about other people’s reactions — which is often more intimidating than the practice itself.
One common obstacle: misunderstanding the practice
Forest therapy can still look unusual to passers-by, much as outdoor yoga once did. Social judgement is not a physical danger, but it can make newcomers self-conscious.
Some distrust simply comes from unfamiliarity. Clear explanations, realistic claims and transparent professional boundaries are therefore important parts of responsible practice.
Forest therapy is generally a low-risk nature activity
For most people, time spent walking slowly in nature can support several aspects of well-being. Research on forest bathing has explored outcomes including perceived stress, mood and some physiological markers. Potential benefits may include:
More gentle physical activity through walking,
a quieter mental environment and greater attentional rest,
reduced feelings of stress,
better perceived sleep for some people,
general relaxation that may also support comfortable digestion,
among other subjective benefits.
Key safety points to remember
Forest therapy is not inherently dangerous, but neither is it risk-free: it is an outdoor well-being practice that should be approached with the same common sense as a gentle nature walk. Responsible forest therapy does not require adherence to a belief system, surrendering critical thinking or replacing medical care. At its simplest, it is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature.
To find out more about:
Contact me on +33 6 26 67 49 69. 🤳
See you soon!
Clotilde
Your forest therapy guide and trainer.
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