HEALTH AND HOUSEHOLD PLANTS
August 07 2024 – Delikate Rayne
We often think about the benefits of items we consume through eating or drinking. However, external factors like plants can also provide room for improvement in your health. When shopping for houseplants most people’s priorities is how they plant looks or how hard it is to maintain without thinking of the given health benefits that certain plants might offer. Good health is more than just diet and exercise, there are countless factors that contribute to health. The environment around you can also contribute to your health, so it is important to know the benefits of your surroundings such as houseplants and how they impact your overall health!
- Spider Plants:
These plants are fantastic for removing any existing formaldehyde that might be present in the air of your home. Formaldehyde can exist amongst many different things like paper bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, paper towels, napkins, particle board, plywood paneling, and some synthetic fabrics. In addition, spider plants can also reduce any carbon monoxide and other air impurities that could be in your home. This plant also gets bonus points for being an easy plant to maintain: it can be kept in low light and can grow in any soil and only needs to be watered occasionally.
- Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera is a common plant that has a substantial amount of healing properties. It has used been used for many years as a remedy to soothe skin through creams, ointments, and even direct application. The gel that is found within the plant can be used to help treat burns, sunburns, frostbite, psoriasis, cold sores, and can even improve the moisture profile of hair. (As always, you should ask a doctor before applying if it is suitable for you, as you might be allergic.) These plants like to be deeply watered, and their soils left to dry only slightly, and keep this plant in indirect sunlight to maintain its leaves.
- Lavender:
Lavender is a beautiful, purple-hued plant that should be a staple in the household kitchen or garden. The aroma that lavender provides offers stress-relieving benefits that help with alleviating tension and can help with finding peace and calm before getting into bed or relaxing. Moreover, the scent of lavender may help if you are looking to improve your sleep and soothe restlessness, anxiety, depression, and more. The upkeep for lavender is relatively simple because it prefers sunshine and prefers deep watering when the soil is dry.
- English Ivy:
It is not usually a common thought to think of mold growing in your home, however, it is very possible. The English ivy is a great way to place in your bedroom for its benefits of relieving asthma or difficulty breathing during the night. This ivy thrives under the conditions of a fluorescent light but not the direct sun, and the soil should be maintained, but not left soggy. Additionally, this plant is poisonous so it should be kept out of reach of pets and children.
- Orchid:
Not only are orchids beautiful, but they also can help improve sleep, relaxation, and can enhance feelings of calmness and peace. Additionally, dried orchids have also been used in traditional medicinal teas that help boost the immune system’s functions and can relieve the feeling of fatigue.
- Snake Plant:
Snake plants are also infamous for their ability to improve the air quality of an
environment. They tend to work harder at night by turning the carbon dioxide into
oxygen to improve sleep. They also can absorb any chemical particles that might be in the air. The caretaking for this plant is also minimal and it prefers to be placed under indirect sunlight, as well as a drier soil.
- Rosemary:
Rosemary is a well-known and very beloved culinary herb, and it has also been used in many different traditional medicines. This plant provides great remedies for improving focus and concentration, so it is useful to keep rosemary in a room where you might need a mental boost. Much like lavender, rosemary likes to be in the sun without too much water.
- Peace Lily:
The peace lily is beautiful decor and is also great at being an air impurity remover. IT can absorb many different chemicals like ammonia, benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene that might be in your home. Unfortunately, if you have plant or
pollen-related allergies, this plant might not be for you due to its ability to produce pollen and a floral scent. This plant should be planted in a pot with an all-purpose soil that is kept throughout the entire year, and they can thrive in both low and bright light, but they do their best when in shaded areas. If you choose to purchase this plant, make sure it is out of reach of any pets!
- Fern:
This plant has been studied by NASA due to its ability to purify the air in different
environments. They remove compounds like plastics, formaldehyde, and smoke from the air. The plant absorbs the compounds and turns them into materials that the plant can utilize for its on well-being. Specifically, Boston Ferns have been known for being an easy to care for plant.
- Golden Pothos:
This plant is not only trendy and a favorite amongst the community of plant lovers, but it can also aid in purifying the air of things like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It has also been known to eliminate odors and relieve tired eyes. The golden pothos is also easy to manage due to its ability to thrive in low light and neglect.
Household plants can be beneficial in regard to your health, and they are not just for looking pretty in your home! The power within a simple and easy to maintain houseplant is astonishing and can be used to improve your overall well-being and health. Each of the plants named are not only great beginner options, but they are also infamous for their beneficial properties like improving air quality, food, mental states, sleep, and well-being.
WORKS CITED:
Words by: Erica Benton
Sources:
8 Houseplants to Grow that can Dramatically Improve your Health, Life
Hack
7 Plants that can Naturally Improve your Health, Urban Stems
Photos:
Pinterest
WORKS CITED:
Words by: Erica Benton
Sources:
8 Houseplants to Grow that can Dramatically Improve your Health, Life
Hack
7 Plants that can Naturally Improve your Health, Urban Stems
Photos: