Plants for your home, health and well-being

Plants can help boost our wellbeing and health naturally, all the while positively adding to our homes look and feel. 'These days we tend to keep plants and flowers around as decoration or for their lovely scent, but many plants can actually benefit our health and happiness,' says Lucia Polla at Serenata Flowers.

'Perhaps when we're feeling a bit run-down the garden should be our first port of call.'

Whether you're looking for a natural remedy to help with anxiety or need to keep insects at bay, there's probably a plant that can come to your aid.

Mint and Basil: great for keeping insects at bay

Want a natural remedy for keeping insects out of your home? Both Mint and Basil can work wonders, thanks to their strong scent. 'Mint is known to repel lots of insects including mosquitoes due to its smell – it can even keep mice away'. Another great insect repellent is Basil, which can be planted around doors and windows to keep insects from entering. Place mint and basil leaves around entry points of your home - by doors, windows and wall cracks, to deter them.

The Snake plant and Lavender: great for anxiety

Plants have been known for increasing air quality and boosting our moods, but they can also help to reduce anxiety levels. Lavender is known for its stress-relieving qualities – it slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure to reduce stress. This is why its scent can often be found in lotions and sprays. The Snake plant is also believed to reduce anxiety, improve respiratory problems and cure the symptoms of a headache.

Aloe Vera and Jasmine flower: great for improved sleep

If you're struggling to get a good night's sleep, one of the natural ways to help you drift off smoothly is to place a potted Aloe Vera plant or Jasmine flower beside your bed. Aloe Vera produces oxygen at night to combat insomnia and improve overall sleep quality, while Jasmine flower has a gentle scent which can calm the body. (And if you're in any kind of heatwave you may also like to look at our Blog on keeping cool at night)

Bamboo Palm and Golden Pothos: great for productivity

Plants on a desk can boost our levels of productivity during the day. Looking to spruce up the space where you work at home? Place some plants beside your laptop, on the table or window sill. 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.

Rubber plant and Peace Lilies: great for cleaning the air

These well-known houseplants (a bit of a '70s throwback but finding their glory once more...) are famed for their air-purifying qualities. Carefully placing the right air-purifying plants around your home can help to cleanse your indoor air and, ultimately, make your space healthier. Rubber plants are great for removing harmful toxins, particularly formaldehyde, and they 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 per cent and true to their name, bring with them a sense of peace and relaxation.

Sage: great for hair

As well as being a cooking staple, Sage can also correct hair colour when used as a paste or ointment. This common herb helps restore bright colour, which is great news if you're struggling to book a hairdresser's appointment.

Mint plants: great for upset stomachs

Various types of mint plant — including Catnip and Korean Mint can help to fight flu symptoms and relieve upset stomachs. Either add chopped mint leaves to your cooking or use them to make your own all-natural tea remedy, simply add some honey and enjoy.

Red Clover: great for fighting infections

Herbal remedies have been used to fight infection for centuries and still stand the test of time today. Red clover has been traditionally used in teas and ointments to treat coughs, colds and skin irritations. 

Wed 12 Aug 2020