Houseplants do more than just beautify your indoor space. Research shows that keeping plants inside your home can bring a host of physical and mental health benefits. Once you learn more about the therapeutic nature of plants, you’ll be inspired to get your green thumb on.
Also having houseplants is a nice way to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside while also adding a splash of color. Most importantly it helps act as natural air purifier and help you get that much needed sleep. The American Horticultural Therapy Association says that the benefits of plants can be seen across many studies in the cognitive, psychological, social, and physical realms.
Some of the psychological benefits include:
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved mood and sense of well-being
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
- Increased feelings of calm, relaxation, and optimism
- Increased sense of stability and control
Aloe Vera Plant
The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties. Not only does it soothe skin burns and cuts, it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants’ leaves will display brown spots. Just an FYI: It grows best with lots of sun.
English Ivy Plant
English Ivy is considered to be the one of the best air-purifying plant by NASA. It is very effective against breathing problems and asthma.
Putting this plant at your home, will help reduced airborne mold by up to 94%. Mold can cause allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. That is why English Ivy can help with sleeping disorder.
Important Note:
English ivy plants are toxic if ingested. Choose a different plant in the bedroom if you have small children or pets who may accidentally ingest the leaves.
Gardenia Plant
Gardenias have a nice scent and white blooms, which have a sedative effect on those who inhale their fragrance. In study from 2010 Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, it showed that gardenia was just as effective as valium in helping the brain and body to relax. You can use this as an alternative to sleeping pills. Keep a gardenia plant on your bedside table to enhance relaxation in the bedroom, by using the therapeutic power of scent.
Jasmine Plant
Jasmine plant is an exotic plant which has an aroma proven to help against insomnia. It also helps improve productivity and alertness. All you have to do is to smell this plant to get rid of anxiety and stress.
Lavender Plant
Many people are using lavender oil but do they have the lavender plant? This plant will help in reducing anxiety and stress, improve sleep, slow heart rate and even calm the babies down.
Snake Plant
Snake plants don’t need much light or water to survive, so they’re an easy choice for any corner of your home. The plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (while most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost.
Valerian Plant
Valerian plant is considered to be one of the best herbs for insomnia. It is used as an anti-anxiety and sedative treatment. It is also a common ingredient in products which are promoted as mild sedatives and sleep aids for insomnia and nervous tension.
Red-Edged Dracaena
This beautiful, vibrant plant can grow to be ceiling-height (15-foot dracaenas are common), making it a great plant for decorating and filling up space. It also removes toxins including xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Grows best in sunlight.
