Using plants to change lives?
Written by: Mojabeng Mashale
WHAT IS MINDFUL THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE (MTH)?
With Mindful Therapeutic Horticulture we work with plants and people to improve psychological health. MTH is just you and Mother Nature, this is the real back-to-basics stuff, good for the mind, body and soul.
“?All ?tha?t humanki?nd ?needs? for?? health an?d healing has been provided by God in nature. The challenge of science is to find it.?” (Pa?racelsus???)
MTH literally connects us to the earth. Soil has similar effects on the brain as antidepressants lift moods. Working with soil, planting herbs, flowers, micro-greens, being patient, loving & nurturing towards our seedlings offers, a valuable lesson for our personal lives.
Plants blossom and grow! And it is beyond fulfilling to be a part of this process. You can actually see your hard work pay off.
MTH BOOSTS BRAIN HEALTH
Gardening exercises your mind as well as your body. It utilises a number of our brain functions and includes learning, problem solving and sensory awareness, keeping our minds active.
MTH ASSISTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH
Research shows that active interaction with indoor plants (like touching and smelling) can reduce physiological and psychological stress. In fact, gardening has even been prescribed for patients diagnosed with anxiety.
HOW THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE INCORPORATES MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness has a huge impact on your stress levels, helping to stave off anxiety and depression, boost productivity and ease insomnia. Hilda Burke, Psychotherapist, says that gardening is an activity that helps a lot of people get into a “flow” state. This means that you don’t notice the time passing, aren’t simultaneously thinking over other things, making plans or rehashing the past. As such it helps people both to switch off to other stuff and switch on to the present moment.
Mojabeng has developed a range of products that come with all the required tools and materials for patients to create their own MINDFUL THERAPUTIC HORTICULTURE project. Majobeng sources out only the best natural materials with high quality properties and freshness in order to provide maximum benefit to our clients.
With plants we focus more on herbs and flowers. Herbs are tremendously popular for growing at home and are divided into various categories:
Medicinal Herbs
Aromatic Hand and Body Creams
Herbal Teas
Herbal Bath Oils
Scented Aromatic Candles, Aromatherapy Essences
With just a few seed pods and potting soil, planting herbs is a breeze. Even if you think you lack a green thumb or find gardening overwhelming,
Mojabeng will show you how easy it is to grow herbs indoors. You?? don’t????n?eed a lot of gardening tools for indoor plants, aside from your hands and a pair of herb scissors. Use a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands and nails from dirt. Find a sunny window and watch your herbs grow!
Some of the best herbs for growing indoors include: Basil, parsley, sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary and mint.
Extended Services offered by Mojabeng Mashale
Mojabeng recognises the fact that some people want to grow their own food from where they dwell. For this reason she’s also provides Herbal Growing Kits for home gardening. Whether you stay on a plot, in a townhouse, an apartment or maybe you want a green wall for your restaurant or office, we have gardening solutions that will give you high yields due to vertical gardening methods.
Services:
- ? Smart urban farming training (we will teach you the ins and outs)
- ? Smart gardening / farming solutions (design and equipment fitment)
- ? Maintenance services for your urban farm (we will nurture the garden on your behalf)
- Benefits of urban farming:
- ? The equipment can be placed anywhere (balcony, backyard, rooftop, walls, indoor or outdoor)
- ? It results in higher yields of produce than traditional planting
- ? It is easier on the body as bending is minimised
- ? It is movable so it can be placed anywhere at anytime
- ? Provides a fun way to teach children how to grow their own food
- ? Provides you with organic, fresh food from your own household
- ? Provides an opportunity for engaging in a mindful activity to keep your brainhealthy
- ? No need to buy land. Usable in your current dwelling without affecting structures
- ? Having a smart urban farm contributes to reducing your food budget
- ? It makes healthy, fresh food accessible
- ? No toxins as a result of harmful pesticides used in commercial farming
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mojabeng Mashale
Cell: 082 4716619
mojabeng@mitp.co.za
