SHABIHA NUR KHATOON, OP
Scientists have long claimed that indoor plants – rather than merely sprucing up home décor – have a range of health benefits like reducing stress levels and naturally filtering out air pollutants. It is only lately, however, that people have started investing in houseplants with proven beneficial effects
Spending time in the lap of nature has both physiological and psychological benefits. But in today’s busy world it is not always possible for people with tight schedules to explore nature or spend a few serene hours amid picturesque hills and dales. Mental relaxation apart, spending time in a perfect natural setting – far removed from a concrete urban landscape – has various health benefits. Wouldn’t it be great, therefore, if we could welcome nature with open arms into our households?
Houseplants can do more than just make your shelves look bright; they boost your mood, enhance your creativity, reduce stress levels, increase productivity, maintain indoor humidity levels, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. In fact, they have multiple benefits. Scientists have long preached the benefits of having plants inside the home. NASA scientists are saying that adding some greenery in one’s bedroom can actually boost sleep and general wellbeing. They have revealed that keeping certain types of plants at home could actually prevent you from getting sick. The presence of plants inside the bedroom can ease insomnia and improve your wellbeing. Experts say this is because they reduce stress and anxiety and remove airborne pollutants.
You might be wondering as to which plants are best suitable for your bedroom. Sunday POST spoke to a few experts who dwelt in detail on the different benefits of houseplants.
Meeta Mohanty, science teacher of DPS Damanjodi, said houseplants are an age old feature in households in different parts of India because their benefits make them a necessity rather than an object of décor.
“Each one of us would love to have a fresh clean living space to come home each day as houseplants improve indoor air quality, and we can put some houseplants to work, to keep the air clean,” she added.
Experts say a number of houseplants have great day-to-day benefits. Chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide can be discarded by growing houseplants. Nowadays, plants like money plant and indoor bamboo plant are widely grown as houseplants; they are regarded as lucky vastu plants.
Mohanty shed light on the positive effects of houseplants: “They help reducing carbon dioxide levels, increase humidity, reduce the levels of certain pollutants such as benzene and air-borne dust, and keep the temperature cool.”
“So, when it comes to sprucing up your house and health, spending a little on greens can go a long way as it’s not just about indoor aesthetic. Even if you don’t normally notice a plant’s presence, spending some time with greenery around can make you feel calm and relaxed,” she added.
Delving into research by NASA and the American College, Elle Décor and The Joy of Plants have teamed up to find out exactly which houseplants you should invest in. The team has come up with a list of 10 health-boosting foliage that could change your life.
The first is Areca palm, a Madagascan plant that researchers say is ideal for anyone prone to colds and sinus because it releases moisture into the air, making it easier to breathe and sleep at night.
Aloe vera and English ivy are both recognised for their ability to purify air. While the former fights chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde, the latter has been found to remove an impressive 78 per cent of airborne mould over 12 hours by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Ninth on NASA’s list of 50 air-purifying plants, the Boston fern is also hailed for its ability to remove formaldehyde, as are Weeping Figs and Lady Palms.
Dubbed the easiest houseplant, because it grows well in low light, the Chinese evergreen is said to remove more and more toxins over time, while the drought-tolerant Dwarf Date Palm is brilliant at removing indoor air-pollutants like xylene – a chemical found in many cleaning agents and varnishes.
For those who struggle with dust allergies, investing in an Insta-worthy spider plant is your best bet as it has been found to remove up to 90 per cent of toxins from the air in as short a time as two days.
Alternatively, it seems the beautiful peace lily does a whole lot more than spruce up your surroundings. This clever plant can actually improve air quality by 6 per cent and absorbs mould spores through its leaves, circulating them to its roots to use as food.
Shruti Mukim, an interior decorator from Bhubaneswar said there was nothing better than going to bed or waking up with nature around. One way to ensure better quality of sleep is to fill one’s home with beautiful flowers and plants, she said. Not only do they look great and bring vitality and life to your living spaces, but also have fantastic relaxing and purifying benefits, which in turn can promote a healthy sleeping pattern.
“Jasmine helps promote sleep quality, increases the level of alertness and emits scent. Rosemary improves memory and overall air quality in one’s room. The English Ivy plant reduces mould count and is extremely helpful for those suffering from allergies and lung irritation. Snake plant, which is common and found in every household, prevents headaches, improves eye irritation and respiratory problems.
PLANTS WITH BENEFITS
- Tulsi/Holy Basil/Ocimum tenuiflorum
Tulsi is one the most prominent herbs in the Indian sub-continent and a common houseplant in Indian households invested with religious significance. Tulsi keeps the air fresh and its presence creates an ambience. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that help to combat a plethora of serious ailments like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. It has antibiotic, antiviral, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic properties.
- Aloe vera /A Barbadensis mill
Aloe plants are also common houseplants in India for thousands of years. They are widely used for skincare and cosmetics. Famous for its anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties, aloe vera accelerates the healing of burns. That apart, it helps to treat mouth ulcers and lower blood sugar levels.
- Lavender/Lavendula
There’s no doubt that lavender is one of the best aromatic flowers. Not only does it smell amazing but it also has many different uses like in teas, soaps, potpourri, insect repellents and even as an anti-inflammatory agent. Perhaps one of the best characteristics about lavender, beyond its incredible fragrance, is that it is easy to grow. It is used in soaps, shampoos, perfumes and essential oils. Known to cure ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression, lavender is not only good in cleansing the body but also the mind and spirit.
- Snake plant/Sansevieria trifasciata
This plant is best suited for bathrooms since it filters out formaldehyde, which is commonly found in personal care products. It is one of the top air-purifying plants identified by NASA. It is easy to grow and requires no extra attention. Even if you don’t water it every day, it will continue to give long with fresh leaves sprouting. The only thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t easily rot and so it needs to be planted in free-draining soil. This plant is also called the mother-in-law’s tongue or Saint George’s sword.
Areca Palm/Dypsis lutescens
Areca Palm can be kept anywhere in the house but make sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight as that will make the leaves turn yellow. The plant can grow as high as 30 feet outdoors, but it is restricted to about seven feet at indoor locations. Put it in a small container and the crowded roots will help in limiting the size of the plant. The plant is useful in filtering xylene and toluene from the air. It also works effectively as an effective humidifier. Water enough to keep the soil moist and let it dry a little between waterings in winter.
- Spider Plant
This lovely plant combats benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries. The plant derived this unique name due to its uniquely-shaped leaves, which dangle like spiders on a web. It is also completely safe if you have pets. If you see the plant turning a little brown, do not worry. It is normal and it will get back to its green self soon. Make sure you use well-drained soil and do not make the soil soggy for a fresh-looking spider plant.
