New research has uncovered the lesser-known uses of what Nature provides around us.
Online florist, SerenataFlowers.com, has identified 16 plants which possess qualities that can actually improve human wellbeing, health and happiness:
Mental health is a big topic at the moment and an easy way to improve mood and help reduce anxiety is to fill your home with plants. Lavender is known for its stress-relieving qualities – it slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure to greatly reduce stress. This is why its scent can often be found in lotions and sprays. Snake Plant is also believed to reduce anxiety, improve respiratory problems and cure the symptoms of a headache.
Not getting enough sleep can have a huge impact on many aspects of life, health, work abilities and socialising. Whether you struggle to drift off or are easily disturbed in the night, keeping a potted Aloe Vera plant beside your bed could help you see the night through, as it produces oxygen at night to combat insomnia and improve overall sleep quality. Jasmine flower is also believed to reduce anxiety levels which, in turn, help you drift off to sleep, and the gentle scent will keep you in a deep sleep throughout the night.
Having plants in the office has been found to increase worker productivity by 15%. They are found to reduce stress and fatigue while aiding memory retention, and regulate humidity and reduce carbon dioxide. Both help employees remain energised.
Bamboo Palm is known for its ability to fight indoor air pollution, promoting clear-thinking and easy breathing. Another top office plant is Golden Pothos which removes air toxins and absorbs unpleasant smells – the perfect plant to keep by the office fridge!
Removing harmful toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene will keep both you and your home happy and healthy. Rubber Plant and Peace Lilies are both incredibly effective at purifying the air around you. Rubber Plants are great for removing harmful toxins, particularly formaldehyde, and these plants become more efficient at cleaning the air as time goes on. Peace Lilies are also believed to improve air quality by as much as 60%, and true to their name, bring a sense of peace and relaxation.
Marketing manager at SerenataFlowers.com Lucia Polla said: “Clearly, we should be bringing more plants into our homes and offices. These days, we tend to keep plants and flowers around as decoration or to take advantage of their lovely scent, but this research is a nice reminder of the wonderful ways in which plants can actually benefit our health and happiness. Perhaps, when we’re feeling a bit run-down, the garden should be our first port of call.”
To find out more, visit: www.serenataflowers.com