Therapeutic Gardens

There is no argument that humans have been “Hunter-Gathers” for millions of years. Meat for the table had to be slaughtered or vegetables/grains and roots grown ahead of time before the social community could consume it and survive. In modern times however, we are so adapted to “gathering” food from the market that we have almost lost our roots as “hunters and gatherers”. This adaptation of the human race has come at the price of our sanity.
Studies have shown that overall; a large percent of the human race suffers from depression. According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression/anxiety disorder at some point in their lives and around 5% will in a given year. In any given year, about seven percent - between 13 million and 14 million people - will experience this condition. Of those who develop depression/anxiety, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment. Depression/anxiety continues to be Canada's fastest-rising diagnosis. From 1994 to 2004, visits for depression/anxiety made to office-based doctors almost doubled. In 2003, that meant 11.6 million visits to doctors across Canada about depression/anxiety.
The drugs to combat depression/anxiety are varied and mysterious in nature. The most common is a type that reacts with the gland that produces “Serotonin”, a hormone that has been shown to improve mood. Those are SSRI’s. The use of approved drugs to combat depression/anxiety is called “Pharmaceutical”. Sometimes pharmaceuticals are not tolerated by the patent. In that case a therapist or psychiatric doctor / nurse will provide counselling and group therapy to combat depression/anxiety. This is called “clinical”.
A combination of these 2 therapies has been highly effective in a large percent of the cases that get treated. However, there is a large percent of the population that gets no therapy for various reasons. Depression/anxiety is like a parasite and often prevents a person from seeking treatment to end it. Many problems in society have this condition as their root cause; including addictions and suicides. There is hope though.
Recently added to the list, “Horticultural Therapy” is based on the physical, mental and emotional healing that is possible from regular interaction with a garden. It is successfully used in a variety of situations and has been found useful in helping people with depression/anxiety. Leading researchers have discussed the link between the loss of our hunter/ gatherer roots and society’s “loss of sanity”. They suggest that a return to that lifestyle would “fix” some of the problems created by depression/anxiety.
It is not practical in many cases in this day and age to go hunting to provide meat for your community or have land available to grow food. However, we can still grow healthy and nutritious grains, funguses, herbs and vegetables in our backyards, basements, window sills, rooftops and / or balconies. Modern methods of horticulture and artificial lighting make it possible for anyone to garden anywhere. Google can show you many designs for any challenges you have to setting up a home garden indoors and out.
These gardens are not just therapeutic. If you decide to sow a few seeds of any plant, you could not only improve your health- you are doing your part for the environment. A plant absorbs CO2 and the less you buy at the market reduces the national demand on shipping. With enough plants of any type among the citizens of Canada, we could meet our global agreements concerning global warming as well as becoming a healthier nation. Some plants absorb more CO2 then others and are very good for you; however some private research on CO2 absorption rate / nutrition as well as space required would be required by you to make a decision on which vegetables/herbs to grow wherever you can. Happy gardening to your health!