Interflora flowers

Plants for health

Plants are good for our health in a variety of ways, from making the air we breathe safer, to producing natural remedies for sickness and ailments.

Studies have concluded that plants are good for your overall health – physically, emotionally and psychologically, and there are a number of ways you can benefit every day from their positive effects.

plants-for-health
Cleaning the air

Plants remove chemicals from the air, such as those in paints and varnishes, new carpets and MDF furniture, leaving you with clean, fresh air. There is a term known as ‘sick building syndrome’ that occurs in office buildings with poor ventilation and a lack of natural light. Workers in these buildings often feel lethargic and fatigued due to the poor quality of the air. Plants can filter out pollutants and leave the air fresh and clean:

  • Spider plant
  • Ficus
  • Peace Lily

Producing relaxing aromas
The natural look and fresh scent of a houseplant can actually help you to relax and unwind; reducing stress and making you feel healthier. Some plants produce fragrances that actually help us to combat stress and relax our minds. Popular choices include:

  • Lavender
  • Jasmine
  • Lilac

Treating illness
Many plants have medicinal qualities and have been used for centuries to cure ailments. A number of natural plant extracts are used for beauty and cosmetic products, while others used to help treat colds and coughs, skin rashes and general poor health. The most common medicinal plants are:

  • Eucalyptus
  • Aloe Vera
  • Chamomile

The best house plants to choose for your home combine two or more of these attributes, creating a peaceful and positive effect on your health. Peace lilies, for example, are well-known for reducing mould spores in the air and also have a wonderfully exotic scent that calms and relaxes you.

Did you also know that?

  • Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare and there has been evidence found of it being used as far back as the Stone Age.
  • One of the most popular mass-produced medicines in the world, aspirin, actually comes from the willow tree.
  • According to legend, tea was discovered in China when a servant of an Emperor, who preferred his water boiled before he drank it, accidently dropped a tea leaf into the water. The Emperor drank this new liquid and found it very refreshing.