Intimate Relationships - Trees, Humans and Planet

I am a full-fledged tree hugger. 

You know that feeling you get when you feel ‘at home’? That is how I feel when I am in the forest. I love the connection we share with trees and appreciate every resemblance we have in common. 

In biomedicine, the model of the lung is similar to a tree in the sense that our windpipe is the trunk, our bronchi are the branches, and the leaves are the alveoli. And similar to people, tree’s are made up of more than 50% water (humans are ~60%). 

Did you know trees create moisture? 

Trees are able to moderate the flow of water through their root systems by creating a spongy ground that acts like water-storage to slow down the flow. Forests are part of the circulation of atmospheric moisture - they release water vapor through evaporation and transpiration from tree bodies and other plant matter, regulating waves of atmospheric moisture and rainfall patterns over land. 

Atmospheric moisture + Forest Water Vapor + Raindrop nuclei (cloud condensation) = Rain!

Did you know that the Amazon Rainforest returns 75% of its water back into the atmosphere in amounts high enough to form their own rain clouds? 

Trees everywhere share a relationship with the atmosphere - they collaborate to not only produce oxygen, but also rain and snowfall. Clouds are more than just ocean water vapor - they are forest water as well. Water travels from the coast to the interior mainland by leaping along forests from one mountain range to the next. Rainfall on the interior is dependent upon coastal forests. 

Deforestation breaks this system. In turn you see less rainfall on barren land because forests aren’t there to intercept the clouds with water vapor and raindrop nuclei. This means no moisture, no rain - dry desert drought. This is why I love supporting the Coalition for Rainforest Nations!!

Trees are vital to our existence. Not only through water and oxygen production but also through their ability to store carbon and stabilize soil systems that cultivate life.

Do you know what would happen without trees? 

Formerly forested areas would dry out and drought would increase. Without overhanging tree canopies and complex underground root systems, rain would flood across the surface of the land and cause erosion that would impact oceans, smothering marine habitats and coral reefs. The lack of filtration from trees would cause soil to retain dangerous chemicals and pollutants. Large populations of wildlife and insects would be homeless. Every aspect of life as we know it would be profoundly impacted - Planet Earth would resemble the moon or mars. 

“You should not want only fell trees.

You should not want only pick herbs and flowers.

You should not throw poisonous substances into lakes, rivers, and seas.

You should not dry up wet marshes.

You should not disturb birds and other animals”.

[[One Hundred and Eight Precepts of Lord Lao (4th century)]]

The roots of Chinese Medicine lie deep within the natural world, its foundation derived from the notion that good health requires living in accordance with the rhythms of the universe. The result of being disconnected with our environment has taken us down the wrong path - one of destruction, not realizing we are also destroying ourselves. 

In Chinese Medicine, we recognize imbalance in the lungs often by signs of ‘excess’ or ‘deficiency’. When there is too much moisture and dampness, there will be congestion, phlegm, allergies, or even excessive crying. When there is not enough moisture, you will see dryness in the form of dry coughs, hoarse voice, dry skin & nails, and overall insufficient body fluids. 

Trees make you happy

There is a wealth of scientific literature that supports the idea that trees have a positive impact on mental-health, not only by lowering stress hormones like cortisol but also by releasing endorphins that improve our mood, sleep, immune system, and energy. 

Environment is important.

The health of plants, people and the planet is intimately connected. What we choose to do today affects how we live and experience tomorrow. Eco-system based awareness and management ensures responsible resource development, fostering a resilient and sustainable future - inside the body and out. How are you choosing to influence your environment? 

I often joke that my job title is a relationship facilitator / environmentalist, but it’s not entirely a joke. When I look at how I can help people, plants or the planet it’s never about me ‘fixing’ something. I look for ways that I can create environments that facilitate strong functional relationships that result in good health and well-being.  

If you are curious about how we can work together to optimize your internal and external environments, let’s talk! Click here to schedule a free 15 minute consult.