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Contribution short abstract

Research with key stakeholders reveals how to overcome biomedical dominance, lack of green space, and a shortage of therapists to integrate Nature-Based Therapies (NBTs) into Peru's health system. The strategy: local evidence, multi-sector alliances and revisiting indigenous knowledge.

Contribution long abstract

What if forests and gardens could be part of the medical prescription in Peru? This study explores a radically simple idea: bringing nature into the healthcare system. By listening to doctors, policymakers, therapists, and indigenous leaders, we map the path for Nature-Based Therapies (NBTs) to move from the fringes to a real option for Peruvians. We found a fascinating tension between traditional biomedicine (focused on pills) and ancient indigenous knowledge that already understands nature's healing power.

The hurdles are significant: a lack of accessible green spaces, few trained therapists, and laws that don't recognize these practices. But the opportunities are greater: a culture deeply connected to the land, growing climate awareness, and policies starting to value intercultural approaches.

The solution isn't a single fix, but a collaborative revolution: generating local evidence, building alliances between universities and communities, and starting from the ground up—turning hospital gardens into the first laboratories of natural healing. This is more than a health project; it's a step towards a fairer system where the well-being of people and the planet go hand in hand.