Integration of Biological and Psychological Factors in Horticultural Therapy for Cancer Patients: Focused on Making Grass Dolls, Transplanting, and Making Tea with Herb Plants

The study investigated the integration of biological and psychological factors in horticultural therapy for 9 cancer patients, focusing on activities such as making grass dolls, transplanting herbs, and making herbal tea. Patients related the growth of grass on the dolls to their own hair regrowth post-chemotherapy, symbolizing hope and recovery. The act of trimming roots during transplanting was used as a metaphor for eliminating negative thoughts, with patients expressing feelings of purification and the desire to be positive and fragrant like the herbs. The study concluded that horticultural therapy helped patients re-evaluate their disease experience positively and maintain hope, suggesting that such therapy can be a valuable tool for supporting cancer patients.