When we talk about health, it is common to take into account only the physical aspect, but the truth is that it should be understood as a holistic, integral concept. Indeed, the World Health Organization defines it as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. That is why for a few years now humans have entered a crusade to find those things that have a positive impact on health and this has included houseplants.
Plants are perceived by many as a
passing fad, as you can attest by going around on any social network; but the truth is that they are destined to stay for a long time, because almost by chance we are enjoying the multiple health benefits of growing indoor plants. Since we know you're a bit obsessed with your little green collection, we'll give you more reasons to add new specimens, as we'll explain which houseplants are best for your health, as well as cite the studies that prove these advantages.
Following
the guidelines of theWorld Health Organization, we are going to divide the health benefits of houseplants into 3 fundamental aspects: physical, mental, and social. We're not exaggerating when we say that horticulture is an all-encompassing activity that can do wonders for you, as well as working as a perfect complement to certain treatments.
Physical Appearance
Improve Breathing and Skin
Humans breathe in air, take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Plants, while photosynthesizing, do more or less the opposite: they absorb carbon monoxide from the environment, process it, and release oxygen. This makes having certain plants improve the oxygen level of the environment.
On the other hand, having plants clustered indoors raises water vapor levels in the environment. This extra moisture will do wonders for your breath, hair, and skin, when air dried by heating or air conditioning wreaks havoc and robs your natural moisture.
Accelerate recovery
This study proves that people who enjoyed gardens, plants, and lots of greenery around them were able to recover much faster from surgeries, illnesses, and injuries. Their hospital stays were much shorter, they needed fewer medications to control pain, and they had a positive and accelerated recovery attitude compared to other patients who were not exposed to plants.
Improve air quality
The scientific term that explains the process by which plants remove toxic elements from the air is phytoremediation and was made popular by a famous NASA study. The researchers were looking for alternative methods to improve air quality in the spacecraft, which are completely enclosed. Thanks to these investigations, they are able to discover that some plants are able to reduce volatile toxic components. There are many species that are very popular (and that we will tell you about later) that you can have in your home so that they absorb all the toxic components that are present in the air: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and more.
You can use its healing properties
There are plants such as Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Mint, Chamomile and others that you can grow even in your window and whose healing properties you can take advantage of. Peppermint and chamomile can be used to soothe indigestion, while aloe is ideal for irritated skin or minor burns. While plants are not a substitute for a visit to the doctor, they serve to relieve minor discomforts.
Promotes healthy eating
Growing your own fruits and vegetables, even aromatic herbs, can improve your diet by encouraging you to eat healthy. There is nothing more pleasant than eating the fruits and vegetables that you yourself have seen grow and that you have taken care of until you reach that point, and cooking using the herbs of your garden to season the dishes is an experience, because the flavor is even more intense and delicious.
Mental aspect
: relieve stress and anxiety
This study published in the journal of Physiological Anthropology found that having plants in your home or office will make you feel more relaxed, calm, rested, and natural. Scientists found that growing, caring for, or interacting with plants immediately decreases the stress response. Plants help you lower your blood pressure, pulse, and anxiety levels. In addition, they relieve physical and mental fatigue.
Improve concentration
A study done at the University of Exeter, UK, has found that houseplants are able to improve the concentration, memory, productivity and general well-being of employees by up to 47%. As if that weren't enough, living in a space with plants is also capable of improving cognitive abilities such as creative thinking, spatial processing, and more.
These effects occur because plants positively alter the environment with their stimulating colors, they can also have a pleasant aroma and many species increase the level of oxygen in the air. Only this last detail is essential to ensure the optimal functioning of the brain. In fact, being locked up indoors for a long time exposes us to greater amounts of carbon dioxide, which decreases our ability to concentrate. Plants, with their extra supply of oxygen, can balance
Increase your productivity
Productivity is directly related to your emotional and physical well-being. In the right environment, which allows you to concentrate and is enjoyable, your productivity could skyrocket to unsuspected levels. Including plants in the office, office, or wherever you work will do wonders for your performance. The effect of the colors and the oxygen boost in the environment will cleanse your mind, as if you had taken a walk in the middle of nature.
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Growing plants is therapeutic
Taking care of plants has a therapeutic effect insofar as it allows you to be in the here and now. Learning to be present is the key to therapy techniques like Mindfulness, which is a powerful tool for treating anxiety and depression, among other mental conditions. Likewise, the cultivation of plants and being in contact with flowers and nature improves the mood and disposition of elderly patients, even improving memory and general well-being.
On the other hand, plant cultivation is also a tool to teach responsibility, empathy and connection with the environment for children and people who require it, as it reduces stress, fatigue and can become a way to meditate in movement.
Social Aspect
Improve the look and function of your home
Living in a pleasant and dignified environment is essential for health, hence the importance of having a clean and comfortable home. One way to aesthetically and functionally improve your space is by using indoor plants as decorative elements. A plant not only gives life and color to a room, but can also be used to delimit spaces. One of the great advantages is that it is quite economical to grow plants and the benefits are very high.
You grow your food
Growing some of your food can mean a small savings in the family budget, plus it gives you the satisfaction of eating a truly fresh, plant-ripened food. When you taste the first pepper from your plant, you will understand what I am telling you and why something so simple can improve your quality of life.
Allows you to make new friends
One of the things that makes me happiest about getting into the world of plants is that I've managed to meet a lot of people, even online. On social media, there are many communities with people willing to share your passion for plants, as well as offer you help in case you need it. But not everything stays virtual, as I have participated in cuttings exchanges in my city, I have made contacts with collectors and other enthusiasts; I also managed to surprise my friends and family with gifts: small custom plant arrangements. This is a cute excuse to socialize.
The Best Plants for Your
Health Plants That Improve Breathing and Skin
- Flower of Prayer
- Calatheas
- Ctenanthe
- Boston fern
The first belong to the Maranthas family and there is also the Boston Fern, which is a natural humidifier and purifies the air. These plants require high levels of ambient humidity, so if you put several together you will create a perfect environment for your skin and respiratory system. Remember to keep them happy by spraying them from time to time with a little water.
Plants that purify the air
- Snake Plant
- Dracenas
- Peace Lily
- Spider plant
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- English ivy
- Philodendrons
All these plants are mentioned in the famous NASA study because they are very efficient at absorbing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, among others. They increase oxygen levels and are easy to care for.
Medicinal plants
-chamomile
- Aloe Vera
-rosemary
-calendula
-mint
Each plant has its particular properties. Chamomile and mint are not only used to make delicious infusions, but they will also help calm your nerves, as well as improve mild indigestion or stomach pains caused by excesses. Peppermint will help you pass gas. Rosemary is not only used to dress your meals, but also improves the immune and circulatory system. If you put its leaves between your clothes, you will scare away moths and mosquitoes. Calendula helps decrease inflammation.
Plants That Improve Stress and Anxiety
-marjoram
-chamomile
-lavender
- Dracenas
-jasmine
You can make an infusion with chamomile flowers to relieve anxiety, much better if you add some marjoram. The delicious smell of lavender and jasmine will help you relax, especially at bedtime, and its beautiful flowers are a feast for the eyes. Dracenas are easy to care for, very beautiful and tall, they also increase oxygen levels in the environment and eliminate toxins, improving your breathing and well-being.
Plants to improve productivity and concentration
-rosemary
- Dracenas
- Kentia Palm
- ZZ or crow plant
These plants are perfect for the office, as they can grow in low light. In addition, due to their aroma and purifying properties, they increase oxygen levels in the environment, absorb carbon dioxide and transform it into oxygen. Thanks to this process, the ambient oxygen is balanced, the air quality will improve and with this you will be able to concentrate better and be more productive.
Therapeutic plants
-Bonsai
-Orchids
- Urban gardens
Any type of plant requires care and can be used as a form of personal therapy, however bonsai is a true art, which requires patience, concentration, affection and above all getting involved in the process of its formation and growth. Orchids, on the other hand, brighten up any environment with their beauty and colors, so they are perfect for those who love flowers because their efforts will be rewarded with the exotic presence of their colors.
Urban gardens are the epitome of therapeutic gardening. They require care from the moment the seed is planted, you will be able to accompany them throughout the growth process and then you will be able to harvest and enjoy what has cost you so much effort.
Plants to decorate your spaces
-Succulent
- Monstera deliciosa
- Kentia Palm
-Potos
All the silvers are beautiful and become decorative elements by themselves, but the plants on this list are characterized by being large and abundant, so they will fill the spaces very well. They are also easy to care for and reproduce, so you can have many plants in a short time using small cuttings.
Plants That Bear Fruit
-lemon tree
-tomatoes
-Peppers
-lettuces
-Aromatic
All these plants can be grown in planters or pots, although they require a lot of light, you can have them on the terrace, balcony or window. You can start with seeds to make it more fun. Your effort will be rewarded with the most delicious and tasty fruits you have ever tasted.