Three Plants That Care for You

Plants are beautiful living organisms, stunning in gardens and just as lovely inside our homes. They artfully decorate a room while breathing new life into a closed, indoor space. In addition to serving as fabulous décor items, some plants also provide great health benefits.

More than just purify indoor air, their fragrances can also invite feelings of calm and help ease tension. Moreover, the leaves of certain plants contain medicinal properties that can help with minor ailments.

Aloe vera, jasmine, and lavender are three such decorative and healthful plants, ideal for keeping at home.

Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is a well-known medicinal plant that contains many antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It’s a shrubby plant with thick, dense, jagged-edged leaves, which are filled with the plant’s gel-like liquid. This liquid is best used for treating skin and sunburns. Aloe vera can also be helpful in treating many recurrent skin conditions, such as dry skin.

Jasmine is a shrub plant with delicate, beautifully scented white or pale pink flowers. It can grow very tall. The uplifting scent of the jasmine flower is known to relieve stress, soothe nerves, improve mood and help with sleep.

Lavender, another plant with calming qualities, is a species belonging to the mint family. The plant is easily recognizable by its long stems of fragrant flowers. The flowers are a light shade of purple (lavender), and their attractive scent has several proven relaxation benefits. This plant needs lots of sunlight, so it’s best to place it on your windowsill or on a table close to a window or glass door. Lavender’s sweet aroma can also help with sleep and soothe away a headache.

Keeping any or all of these plants in your home will beautify your space while making your day feel easier.

TEXT BY FATIMA RIZZO