Horticulture Therapy is the topic for our January 17th show and Robert Bornstein joins us to discuss how plants and gardens help heal and rehabilitate. Horticulture Therapy (HT) is the use of plant and plant related materials to improve the mind, body and spirit. HT is useful to everyone no matter who you are – children, students, adults, parents, and seniors or where you are – school, homes, work, nursing homes or even prison.
Robert is a registered trained professional Horticulture Therapist (HTR) and is the owner of Horticulture Therapy Consultants. He has developed a keened understanding of the positive relationships between horticulture therapy and its need for individual body and spirit. From growing vegetables and herbs to aromatherapy to eating, any activity surrounding plants is included in Horticulture Therapy.
Horticulture Therapy is for everyone:
Don’t let your physical or location limitations prevent you from benefiting from HT. Robert specializes working with seniors and nursing homes. Even if you only have a tabletop or a windowsill, small plants or raised planters can still be grown. It’s not about quantity, a garden can consist of a tomato plant or a rose bush and it will still bring joy and serenity to every senior.
Growing and cultivating a garden is also beneficial to children, especially disabled children, who show significant improvement and growth as their plants mature and they see physical changes surrounding the development.
Horticulture Therapy is year round:
Stuck indoors during the Mid-west winter? Grow an indoor herb plant that can be found at any store regardless of the weather. Stuck indoors during the hot southern summers? Start your seeds in a planter, moving them to the outside as fall and winter approaches.
Horticulture Therapy is even for those with “black thumbsâ€
Kill everything you try to grow? Neglect is your plants worth enemy. Just like children, plants need schedules in order to prosper. Keep plants near an area in the house that you frequent and keep a watering can nearby to keep you on task.
Horticulture Therapy is for everywhere.
Live in a small apartment or a house with no back yard? Herbs are perfect plants to grow with limited space and offer the biggest reward. Even if you don’t have time to grow herbs, fresh herbs can be found everywhere and still provide the busiest person with benefits.
Rosemary is a very strong and fragrant herb that is great for cooking, teas and even bathing (throw it in a hot tub for a calming scent to relax even more).
Basil is also pleasing to both seniors and children making it a perfect bridge between the two. Children especially like the smell of basil and since it is used in cooking, seniors often connect to it with past memories despite impairments.
Gardening is a great inter-generational activity bringing seniors and children together and it’s a project that can last longer than a day. Planting the seeds, watering the plants and finally eating the fruits of your labor, working together creates stronger bonds between the generations. And it doesn’t stop there:
- Utilize herbs for teas and baths.
- Create an aromatherapy vial to keep in you purse for those few stolen moments of relaxation in a hectic day.
- Can fruit for future use.
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The benefits and rewards of Plant Therapy for your mind, body and spirit extend long after the plant dies, especially for the caregiver.
For more information on Robert Bornstein including his take on a healthy chocolate visit RobBornsteain.com.
