Therapeutic Elements Of A Outdoor Water Features

Water Features in the customary sense has origins in Greece, in the shape of fountains and were considered to be at the heart of the society. Although, in 4000 B.C there is acceptable evidence of the building of fountains as a part of a garden complex in Iran, where earthenware remains have been found. The healing nature of horticulture as a whole has been established for a very long time, with many early settlements developing their communes through the use of the land.

The Greeks designed whole temples dedicated to recovery with rural settings, healing gardens, gymnasiums, swimming pools and natural springs. The society would worship the idol ‘Aesclepius’ and concentrate on spending time relaxing, the temples were used to encourage healing from sickness. The Romans also recorded extensively which plants had medicinal properties, in the 1st century A.D. a surgeon from the army, Dioscorides compiled a register of around 650 herbal remedies and how to locate and use of each particular plants to medicate.

The Centre for Therapeutic Horticulture founded at The University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum has been established since 1992. The Centre concentrates on research into the significance of relationship plants with people in reference to healthiness and healing within the healthcare setting. The modern research into this correlation seems to concur that being surrounded by and enjoying the beauty of nature stimulates our sense of well being and gives us a greater chance of recovery. In particular the sound of running water is connected to recovery as the noise is relaxing and stimulates extra senses. The connection between people and water is probably due to our innate need to be near water for survival but we are made from 70% water and maybe feel the benefit of water on a cellular level also.

In the two decades it has become possible for water features to become a regular feature within landscaping. The BBC recognized the need for people to become aware of their garden and scheduled the hugely popular Ground Force to help people recognized the potential and the massive benefit and enjoyment to be gained from up keeping a garden. There is a definite financial gain to be made in terms of property value but it is about having the extra area to entertain, socialize and enjoy life.

The new designer water feature can come in a wide variety to suit all tastes, budgets and sized garden, gone are the days where plastic water ponds are the norm. When it comes to materials there is a vast range of materials being used in the design of water features from the ultra modern stainless steel to enduringly elegant stone carving. Creating a new look in your garden by installing a water feature would fashion a new element of your garden and improve your enjoyment of the garden and may benefit your health also.