5 Asthma-Friendly Houseplants
Houseplants have a strong purifying effect, so they should be placed in frequently used rooms like the living room and bedroom, where they will perform their best. Here are five asthma-friendly houseplants to add up to your home:
- Peace Lily: NASA’s study of houseplants revealed that the Peace Lily had the best absorption of airborne Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Simply place it in a dark corner because they require very little light, and water it once a week.
- According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, English Ivy ideally removes benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Further studies have also revealed that English Ivy reduces mold in the home.
- Bamboo Palms are natural humidifiers. They help pump moisture into dry indoor environments, and they like shady areas and occasional sun, which makes them an excellent houseplant to keep inside.
- The Areca Palm is a very attractive palm that would spruce up any interior space. The Areca Palm has a very high moisture content making it the ultimate natural humidifier.
- Snake Plant is a long-lived, evergreen plant that effectively absorbs airborne toxins, such as formaldehyde, nitric oxide, and benzene. It also grows very well indoors and needs very little maintenance.
Snake plant is amongst the top five asthma-friendly houseplants. This is mainly because they absorb toxins that may cause the asthma.
Snake Plant as Air Pollutant Absorber
Snake plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, are an easy to grow and look after succulent that’s perfect for those who don’t have a green thumb but nonetheless want to gain the benefits of indoor plants in the home. Its leaves effectively remove five air pollutants from indoor air including trichloroethylene (TCE), toluene, benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde.
Here are some points you need to know about these air pollutants:
It has been shown that TCE harms the immune system and has been used in removing grease, paint and adhesives. TCE is used in spot removers, paint removers and adhesives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to toluene can adversely affect the nervous system, resulting in dizziness, headache, drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, tremors, and even asphyxia.
Our research shows that exposure to benzene causes dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, tremors, confusion, irregular or rapid heartbeats, unconsciousness, and even death if a person takes extremely high doses of it.
Xylene is used in many industries, such as wood processing and petroleum industry. It can cause eyes, noses, throats, and skin irritation. It can also lead to confusion, headaches and loss of muscle coordination. In very high doses, it can even kill.
In the CDC’s opinion, formaldehyde causes respiratory irritation, headaches, fatigue, and chest tightness, as well as respiratory cancer if it reaches high levels. However, sensitive individuals can develop a respiratory condition such as asthma from being exposed to this chemical.
Not just that, snake plants are also a great allergy-reducing agent. This is in part a collateral advantage that the snake plant has to offer due to its air purifying nature.
Snake Plant as Air Purifier: Avoiding from Allergies and Sick Building Syndrome
We know that snake plants are famous for purifying the air. What does it really mean when it is said to purify air? Well, it means that the plant is neutrally absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen. The plant also deters airborne allergens, since it has smooth leaves rather than furry ones, which could collect potential allergens. Through these traits, it is believed that the snake plant is a great allergy-reducing agent! In order to stay healthy in the long run, individuals with allergies should find an ally in snake plants since it is a natural and cheap way to do so.
Also, public spaces and workplaces especially should know the importance of air-purifying plants. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a phenomenon that can occur where the health of some individuals in a house or building acquires acute to moderate symptoms without identifying a specific illness. Poor indoor air quality causes most SBS symptoms, including ear, nose, and throat irritation; coughing; itching; lack of concentration; fatigue; even chest tightness and muscle aches. The symptoms usually disappear after people leave the building.
There are many plausible reasons that could explain this, such as faulty ventilation, chemicals from carpets, upholstery, copier machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents; outside pollution pumping into the home, bacteria, molds, and viruses – all of which are associated with SBS. Does that alarm you that these terms are related to off-gassing of formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitric oxides? Here’s where snake plants are considered a great cure for SBS
SBS can be difficult to diagnose because of the many symptoms it presents with. These can mimic other illnesses, like the common cold. But when SBS is present, you notice symptoms that go away when you leave the building and then return when you are back again.
3 Things to be Noted for Allergy Sufferers!
Three important things you should know as an allergy sufferer.
The first is that you should avoid allowing the soil of your plant to become too damp. Damp soil could become a breeding ground for mold, which could trigger a severe allergic response.
Second, choose plants that do not emit pollen, which could worsen your allergies inside.
And third, clean out the leaves of your plants regularly to remove any dust that has accumulated.