Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Jan - Mar 2026
Mind, brain and educational science

Green prescriptions: an innovative approach to human health from a planetary health perspective

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  • Stefano Orlando,
  • Marcella Danon,
  • Francesco Marino,
  • Filippo Bucciarelli ,
  • Anna Di Leva,
  • Francesca Morelli,
  • Maura Perrone
Stefano Orlando
Istituto Gestalt di Puglia-IGP, Lecce, Italy
Marcella Danon
Ecopsiché-Scuola di Ecopsicologia, International Ecopsychology Society, Osnago (LC), Italy
Francesco Marino
SiPGI - Postgraduate School of Integrated Gestalt Psychotherapy, Torre Annunziata, Italy
Filippo Bucciarelli
SiPGI - Postgraduate School of Integrated Gestalt Psychotherapy, Torre Annunziata, Italy
Anna Di Leva
SiPGI - Postgraduate School of Integrated Gestalt Psychotherapy, Torre Annunziata, Italy
Francesca Morelli
SiPGI - Postgraduate School of Integrated Gestalt Psychotherapy, Torre Annunziata, Italy
Maura Perrone
Psychotherapy Practice Benessere, Naples, Italy
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32069/PJ.2021.2.271

Published 2026-03-20

Keywords

  • Green prescriptions, One health, Planetary health, Integrative medicine, Therapeutic nature, Public health.

How to Cite

Orlando, S., Danon, M., Marino, F., Bucciarelli , F., Di Leva, A., Morelli, F., & Perrone, M. (2026). Green prescriptions: an innovative approach to human health from a planetary health perspective. Phenomena Journal - International Journal of Psychopathology, Neuroscience and Psychotherapy, 8(1), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.32069/PJ.2021.2.271

Copyright (c) 2026 Stefano Orlando, Marcella Danon, Francesco Marino, Filippo Bucciarelli , Anna Di Leva, Francesca Morelli, Maura Perrone

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Green prescriptions represent an innovative therapeutic approach that integrates contact with nature into care pathways, addressing the growing disconnection from natural environments in contemporary societies. This mini-review presents a mapping of green prescriptions within the One Health and Planetary Health paradigms, exploring their therapeutic potential in managing chronic diseases and promoting psychophysical well-being. The mini-review analyzes international scientific evidence on the benefits of green prescriptions, with particular focus on Italian experience and programs implemented across European, American, and Oceanic countries. Pilot projects, research initiatives, and clinical protocols are examined to evaluate the effectiveness, appropriateness, and sustainability of green prescriptions. International meta-analyses support the effectiveness of green prescriptions in managing chronic pathologies characterized by systemic chronic inflammation, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and mental disorders. Documented benefits include improvements in cardiometabolic health, stress reduction, decreased anxiety and depression, increased physical activity, and enhanced social well-being. The Italian experience, led by projects from the University of Valle d'Aosta and the TeFFIt Network, a multidisciplinary network focused on green prescriptions, demonstrates the feasibility of integrating green prescriptions into the National Health System. Green prescriptions represent a paradigmatic shift toward a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnection between human and environmental well-being. Their implementation requires specialized training for healthcare providers, standardization of practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The potential of green prescriptions extends beyond individual therapy, positioning them as a tool for promoting planetary health and healthcare system sustainability.

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