Shinrin-yoku: what is forest bathing?

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term usually translated as forest bathing. It doesn't literally mean bathing in the forest, but rather consciously spending time in a forested environment and being mindful of the nature around you.

The concept became popular in Japan in the 1980s and mainly revolves around gentle walking and experiencing the surroundings. Think of the sound of leaves, the light filtering through the trees, and of course, the scent of wood, moss, and pine needles.

Why does a forest often feel so pleasant?

Many people experience a forest as a peaceful environment. This is likely due to a combination of fewer stimuli, natural sounds, fresh air, and the green surroundings.

Scent also plays an important role in this. A forest has a very recognizable scent that comes from trees, plants, earth, moss, and moisture, among other things.

Especially after rain, this scent can be extra strong. The typical smell of rain on dry earth even has its own name: petrichor.

The scent of pine and wood

Pine trees release aromatic compounds that contribute to that typical fresh and resinous forest scent.

That's why many people immediately associate scents of pine, cedarwood, and moss with nature, hiking, and fresh outdoor air.

At Dennengeur, these recognizable forest scents are precisely what inspire our candles.

For example, Original Pine is inspired by the fresh scent of pine needles, while Forest Moss has a darker and earthier character.

Can you create that forest feeling at home too?

A real forest walk is, of course, hard to replace, but you can bring elements of that atmosphere into your home.

Plants, wood, and natural materials help with this, but scent might have the greatest influence on how a room feels.

A forest scented candle can therefore be a simple way to create a fresh, woody, or green atmosphere at home.

Our collection is developed around different moments in the forest, from fresh pine to damp earth and cedarwood.

This way, you can easily bring a small piece of the forest inside.