7 House Plants That Are Good for Your Health

SPIDER PLANTS FOR MOISTURE

Furnaces and air conditioners can sap humidity. A collection of spider plants can boost the relative humidity in a bedroom from 20 percent
to a comfortable 30 percent.

ASPARAGUS FERN TO PURIFY AIR

Carpets, paint cleaners and print toners give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can irritate your eyes, skin and worsen asthma. Plants are good air scrubbers soaking up VOCs.

HERBS FOR BETTER DIGESTION

Mint may help to tamp down bloating or gas. You can grow common varieties such as peppermint and spearmint (essential in mint juleps) in containers. Basil, another good cooking herb, can also help to calm your stomach. Try steeping the leaves in hot water.

RELAX WITH LAVENDER

This fragrant purple plant has been an important herbal medicine for centuries. Inhale lavender oil, massage it on your scalp for aromatherapy
or boil the leaves for tea.

ALOE FOR FIRST AID

Aloe can help to treat sunburns and other minor burns. It can also soothe psoriasis and other skin conditions. Juice from the aloe plant can even help you poop if you’re constipated!

BAMBOO FOR SHARPER FOCUS

Plants may help to make it easier
to concentrate on your tasks and strengthen your memory. Bring home a golden pothos or bamboo palm and you just might clear that to-do list.

FLOWERS FOR FASTER HEALING

A bouquet of flowers or a potted plant as a gift in hospital can be more than just thoughtful. Researchers have found that following surgery, people might actually recover quicker if they have plants in their room. They also tolerated pain better and needed fewer medications when surrounded by greenery.