When you leave the stress and strain of everyday life behind and arrive on the farm, you will soon perceive a pleasant sense of slowing down. This is because taking time out on the farm does you good - often much more than expected at first glance. It's the peace and quiet far away from traffic, the fragrance of freshly mown hay, the getting out into the fresh air, the sleeping surrounded by natural materials or going barefoot across dewy meadows. Lots of these little moments have a positive impact on your wellbeing. Some of their effects have even been the subject of scientific study. Come and discover the sources of good health on holiday farms in South Tyrol.

Healthy wood

South Tyrol's farmers know that wood doesn't just make for a cosy living environment, but has positive health effects, too. For example, it keeps dust pollution down. This is why guests on lots of holiday farms sleep in rooms furnished with solid wood. Swiss stone pine wood is especially popular. It doesn't just smell wonderful, but is also scientifically proven to lower the heart rate and create conditions for a relaxing night's sleep. Local spruce is also used a lot. Its pleasant effect on the room's atmosphere and its natural properties have an equally positive influence on circulation and concentration. So guests not only enjoy the beautfy of these natural materials, but appreciate their beneficial effects, too.

Bathing in hay

The 'Heubad', or hay wrap, can look back on a long tradition in South Tyrol. Farmers would make use of the heat generated by freshly gathered hay to recover from a hard day's work. Natural, unspoilt hay grows on mountain farms on biodiverse meadows containing lots of herbs such as arnica or lady's mantel, which release essential oils and lend the hay its unmistakeable fragrance. With a traditional hay wrap, hay is heated to 40 to 60 degrees thanks to a fermentation process set off by bacteria. Guests lie down on the hay and start sweating, and the hay can unfold all its beneficial health effects. The body is relaxed, rheumatic and muscular pains are soothed, circulation is boosted and the immune system improves. An original natural experience closely bound up with South Tyrolean farming culture.

Wading through the water

A simple, yet extremely effective health ritual on the farm is Kneipp bathing. Fresh spring water enriched with minerals and trace elements comes down down from the mountains. Originally devised by Sebastian Kneipp, a priest from Bavaria, this treatment is based on quickly switching between warm and cold water, with 'Wassertreten', or wading through warm and cold water, being the original form of Kneipp bathing. Cold water boosts the immune system and metabolism, while carefully walking barefoot on the various different surfaces of special paths encourages blood circulation in the feet, too.

Healing herbs for all eventualities

Herbs don't just taste good, but bring harmony to body and soul. Knowledge about they can be used is often passed down from generation to generation of farming families. The climate on farms in South Tyrol provides ideal conditions for growing over 120 different healing and aromatic plants. Whether it's fragrant lavender, cough-suppressing plantain or soothing camomile, herbs are absolutely natural and can freely unfold their aromas and healing properties. When gathered at the right time of year, herbs may be dried and made into teas, herb mixtures, bath additives, herb cushions or natural cosmeticis. Some farmers are happy to let you in on their herbal secrets and show you how herbs unfold their effects and how essential oils may be used in steam baths and saunas.

Nature as a source of strength

The waft of freshly mown hay, the pleasantly babbling brook, the feel of meadow grass beneath your bare feet - these are often the simple experiences had in nature that stay with you. Children play in the countryside, watch animals, or hide in the wood. Adults enjoy going on walks, reading beneath fruit trees or letting their gaze wander over the mountains. Nature provides space to breathe and helps you to detach from everyday life. This makes a holiday on a farm into a beneficial experience for body and soul.