Who doesn’t love a house plant? They make our homes look beautiful, adding a small oasis of life and nature to the four walls we live in. However, did you know that some research studies have shown that plants can also be beneficial for our physical and mental health? From the stylish Peace Lily to the popular Snake Plant, Love The Garden has created 8 cute illustrations that delve into what these potential benefits are and their top tips for making the most of them.

More info: lovethegarden.com

Aloe Vera

This succulent is a popular choice of house plant as it is low maintenance. However, Aloe Vera has also been used for many years as a natural remedy, it is said to contain powerful antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera has many benefits, it can be used on the skin to heal burns and treat eczema, or ingested to reduce constipation, reduce plaque build-up, and speed up recovery of mouth ulcers. To use Aloe Vera on the skin, snap off a stalk and rub the liquid on the affected area, but make sure to speak to your doctor first in case you have any allergies.

Marigold

Marigold is known for its bright orange bloom. This popular plant is said to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help treat skin diseases, improving wound healing and treating infections. Marigold is also believed to be a natural insect repellent, so is the perfect addition to your garden and house. You can dry out the Marigold flowers to use as a tea or apply as a cream.

Peace Lily

This beautiful plant makes an Instagrammable addition to your home and is another low-maintenance plant you can fall in love with. The main benefit of having a Peace Lily in your home is that they are said to remove harmful toxins from the air, whilst also upping humidity levels. This increased humidity is said to improve breathing and help relieve irritated throats and noses. Note that Peace Lilies do produce some pollen and a flowery scent, which might not be suitable for people with hay fever.

English Ivy

English Ivy makes a beautiful house plant with its long trailing vines and pretty leaves helping to dress up any shelf. Not only does it look great, but it’s also said to purify airborne mould particles as well as having both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When placed in a room, this can improve the air quality, helping relax airways to soothe asthma symptoms and loosen mucus. However, English Ivy is poisonous so it should be kept high up, out of reach from children and pets. If you have asthma, place the English Ivy high up in your bedroom. Touching ivy leaves can cause an allergic skin reaction, and you should avoid taking ivy extract if you are pregnant.

Snake Plant

Often known by the playful name; mother-in-law’s tongue, this impressive plant originates from West Africa and is known for its tall, sword-like leaves. Not only striking in appearance, this plant also has some striking health benefits with research showing that it emits oxygen during the night whilst also removing harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene from the air. This improves your breathing for a better night’s rest so place the Snake Plant in your bedroom to reap its benefits!

St. Johns Wort

This herbaceous shrub makes a pretty addition to your home with it’s cute, star-shaped flowers making for the perfect decoration. Yet this plant is also known to be good for your health, believed to contain chemicals that can help regulate your mood, with research showing it is particularly successful in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. The flower is most commonly brewed to make a tea but it can also be applied topically as an ointment. Please note that St. John’s Wort can potentially interact with some medicines, so make sure to speak to your doctor before using, as with all of the plants.

Dandelion

Whilst we often think of dandelions as nothing more than an irritating weed that pops up and ruins our lawns, in actual fact this couldn’t be further from the truth. For centuries dandelions have been used for medicinal reasons with botanists actually classing it as a herb. The plant is thought to contain high levels of antioxidants including beta-carotene which prevents cell damage. It’s also believed to help boost the immune system and aid digestion. Typically, the roots of the dandelion are used to brew a tea whilst the leaves make for a delicious salad garnish – of course just make sure you do wash everything thoroughly first.

Rosemary

Image credits: www.lovethegarden.com

Whilst many of us know it as a great way to add flavour to a dish, this garden favourite actually has many health benefits that go alongside it’s strong fragrance and great taste. An incredibly rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, Rosemary is believed to help give your immune system a boost whilst also improving blood circulation. This in turn can improve concentration and enhance your memory capabilities – you see, it’s not just an accompaniment to your roast lamb on a Sunday! There are many great ways to incorporate more Rosemary into your diet including adding sprigs into your bottle of olive oil for added flavour and health benefits, making a rosemary salt or as the perfect garnish for your lemonade or gin cocktail on a hot summer’s day.

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