Houseplants to Improve your Mental Health
1. To Improve Work-Life Balance – Grow Peace Lilies
Peace Lily acts as a natural air purifier, and as research claims, it is quite potent at removing toluene and xylene from indoor air, exposure to which can cause stress.
Being around large foliage plants like peace lilies also helps to enhance mood, helping one to stay positive.
2. Grow Eucalyptus to Increase Daily Appreciation
In research conducted at the Department of Basic Nursing Science, Korea University, eucalyptus oil, and its fragrance could lower anxiety levels in a group of people.
Growing it indoors is the best way to have its aroma in the room, which can be enhanced by crushing its leaves.
3. Try Lavender to Stay Calm
A study by the Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, states that the fragrance of lavender can treat several neurological disorders as it has anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsive and neuroprotective properties.
Anybody living a busy, hectic, stressful life should spend a few minutes near a lavender plant, inhaling its healing scent.
An article by Europe PMC also claims that the fragrance of lavender improves sleep, which results in lower anxiety and stress levels.
4. Grow a Snake Plant in Difficult Times
Snake Plant is a wonderful option to grow in rooms as it not only purifies the air but also does well in low light.
A study published at the Harvard University Extension states that it is one of the most oxygen-producing houseplants, which can help you breathe better, helping in better sleep. All this has a direct impact on a stress-free lifestyle.
It was also part of the famous NASA 1989 experiment, where it grabbed one of the top spots in the best air cleaning plants.
5. Get Your Peace Back with Aloe Vera
A study by the School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran, Iran, states that the sedative and hypnotic effects of aloe vera extract can help in deep sleep, which can greatly reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Growing it indoors will give you access to its fresh gel, which you can use to make a drink before going to bed.
This study reveals that the Aloe vera helps to lower the effects of turning behavior and head bobbing.
6. Improve Your Memory with Rosemary
Research shows that inhaling the healing scent of rosemary can help reduce the stress hormone cortisol in the blood and also improve memory.
Another study by the Department of Clinical and Translational Research Methodology, Japan, states intake of rosemary extract helps in improving the mental energy and sleep quality of individuals.
Growing it on a sunny windowsill will give you a never-ending and fresh supply of its leaves all year round!
7. Grow Jasmine to Treat Panic Attacks, Depression, and Insomnia
The intense fragrance of jasmine has therapeutic benefits. An article by Solara Mental Health, USA, states that inhaling the fragrance of jasmine defuses aggression, boosts vigor/vitality, can lower blood pressure, and relieves fatigue.
In a 2013 study, scientists investigated the effects of jasmine oil inhalation on the function of mood responses and the central nervous system. It was found that it has a calming effect on humans and can help with mood swings.
8. Try Chrysanthemum to Improve Short-Term Memory
This research claims that inhaling the scent of chrysanthemum flowers can help to have an enhanced feeling of joy and improved mood. This is because of the scent compound found in the leaves of eucalyptol, which is also effective in improving short-term memory.
A study by the Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Korea, states that the anxiolytic-like effects of Chrysanthemum lower anxiety and cure insomnia. To get the best of it, drink tea infused with its flowers on a daily basis.
9. Holy Basil for Healthy Mind
Research by the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Australia, states that inhaling tulsi and having its extract results in lowering lifestyle-related chronic diseases including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and psychological stress.
Another study by the School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia, states that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic, and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions.
Another article claims that tulsi has multiple therapeutic actions, including adaptogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory effects, which can greatly help lower stress and anxiety levels.
Growing it indoors on a sunny windowsill or a balcony will give you a fresh supply of its leaves that you can add to tea and salads.
10. If You are Forgetful, Grow Mint
You can grow any variety of mint, including spearmint and peppermint at home, to benefit from the healing fragrance of this herb.
A study states that inhaling and eating mint leaves result in significant improvements in memory. Anybody who suffers from forgetfulness, fatigue, and decreased alertness can benefit from growing mint plants at home, particularly peppermint.
To enhance the effect, you can crush its leaves 2-4 times daily and inhale its fragrance.
11. Grow Pothos for a Better Mood
As this study states, pothos is one of the most potent plants to eliminate 74% of VOCs and 68% of odor in indoor environments. This results in cleaner air in the room, which helps in better sleep and mood.
