Plants have long been known to be helpful to humankind: they shield us from direct sunlight, and also give us fresh air. That’s why it is only fitting for you to have one in your house as its purpose is more than just giving life to the once-plain color scheme of your abode or to just fit in with the Instagram aesthetic you are aiming for. Above all this, there is one thing these living things are good at – helping you combat diseases.
It sounds too good to be true, but household plants are really a cheaper option than medicines. For those who are unaware, these are those you can see thriving indoors like in houses and offices, but it turns out, it’s more than just for beautifying the space, it also can help dwellers be free from cold and flu, information which is quite useful now since we are facing a flu crisis. Obviously, this claim is not baseless, there are a lot of studies backing this one out.
Unsplash | Household plants are more than just making spaces picturesque, it these are also good for the health
Plants Raise Humidity Percentage
A study published in February 2013 found that household plants can greatly raise humidity levels indoors which will lower the virulence of airborne viruses. As you can see, the two are inversely proportional and as the researchers pointed out if space’s humidity reaches 40 percent, then the infectivity of the viruses will decrease. At this point, you may already know that this process is called transpiration, which all plants are capable of sans for cacti and succulents.
According to The Sill’s head of plant science and education Christopher Satch, transpiration happens when the sunlight hits the leaves of the plant, thereby pulling out the water content from it. Then, to replace the water that evaporated, the leaves then get water from the soil through the stem and roots. The bigger the plant, the more time the process occurs, and the more water are released into the air. Needless to say, the more plants you have at your house, the higher the humidity will be.
Plants at the Office
Another research done by Pierre Horwitz and Eddie van Etten for The Conservation showed how plants can be beneficial in the workplace. In the office, it can be easier to transmit and catch diseases because you meet with a lot of people who came from different places. Apart from the poor ventilation and the number of people you interact with, there are other health problems that stem from a lot of factors, like the chemical used in furniture.
Unsplash | Chemicals used in office furniture can cause health issues, too
The answer to this is simple: place plants in your office. The greenery can eliminate certain harmful substances in the air like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and sometimes even ammonia, which can be found in cleaning products. As for the bacteria found in plants, it turns out that these may be good for us, as the researchers declared because it will help stabilize the ecology of the artificial environment.
List of Household Plants and Uses
Finally convinced that you’re investing in some plants? In 2017, NASA scientists have revealed some of those which you can have in your house that will be beneficial to your health. First is the Areca palm, which is best for those who usually catch colds and have sinus issues. This Madagascan plant releases water into the air, making breathing and falling asleep easier.
The ever-popular aloe vera can combat formaldehyde and benzene and is a known air purifier. English ivy, meanwhile, can remove an astounding amount of airborne mold in 12 hours, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology discovered. For those whose only vacant spot in the house is not reached by sunlight all the time, the Chinese evergreen is perfect – it is low-maintenance, one of the easiest to manage can survive in low light – it is said that it kills toxins more as time passes by.
Gardening Know How | Chinese evergreen is a low-maintenance plant and can thrive in a low-light spot
Meanwhile, those who want to do it for the ‘Gram may opt for the spider plant, which is also the bomb for dust allergies as it was found to remove 90 percent of toxins in at least two days. The Boston fern, Lady Palms, and Weeping Figs purify the air and can most certainly make any space brighter.
