Health is an all-encompassing concept cluttering many people’s minds today. Some people try to improve their physical health by exercising and eating well, while others focus on their mental health and spend time meditating or doing yoga.
However, the third type of health has gained much attention. The idea is that one can improve physical and mental well-being by adopting healthy habits like spending time outside, breathing fresh air, drinking enough water, and even gardening! Nowadays, many people are adopting the practice of gardening to improve their mental health. Some of the benefits of the plants’ ability to cleanse and purify the air, help with insomnia, and provide oxygen from polluted areas.
So, when people talk about the benefits of gardening in general, they often mention how it can help clear your mind and produce a sense of calm. Plants are an excellent way to reduce stress and offer several physical and mental benefits – so why not grow them for yourself?
Why Use Plants For Physical And Mental Well-being?
Plants are one of the oldest forms of medicine, and they have been used for physical and mental well-being for centuries. There are many reasons to use plants for physical and psychological well-being, and here are just a few:
- Plants provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. These nutrients help to improve your physical health and protect you from disease.
- They can help to improve your mood and psychological well-being. These plants contain compounds that can improve your mood and help to prevent depression and anxiety.
- They can protect you from environmental pollutants. By growing plants in your home or office, you can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants.
- They aid in relaxing and reducing stress levels. Growing plants in your home or office can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
- They can help increase stamina and endurance, improve circulation, and reduce stress levels. They can also help you lose weight or improve your digestion. In addition, plants can help you relax and sleep better.
Top 5 Plants To Grow For Physical And Mental Well-being
While some plants have tremendous benefits to our mind and body, others are very healthy for our bodies. Here are some plants to help you grow mentally and physically if you put your mind to it.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a genus of about 50 species in the family of Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region but grows wild as an introduced species in many other places. Its seeds are used to make lavender oil, used in aromatherapy, perfumes, wound treatments, and some herbal remedies.
Benefits:
Lavender has different healing abilities that help in physical and mental well-being. Here are some:
- Aromatherapy: It can be used as a natural remedy for stress and anxiety.
- Curing depression: Lavender oil is beneficial in curing depression and anxiety.
- Anxiety medication: The plant helps us keep our brain active and alert throughout the day, as well as helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant is a succulent plant, which has been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times. Aloe plants are native to the Arabian Peninsula and Africa but can also be present in many other parts of the world.
Benefits:
The growing of aloe vera plants is a means of developing physical and mental well-being.
- It helps build and maintain our body’s immune system and helps maintain the health of the blood. Aloe also prevents fungal infections, colds, fever, cuts, and wounds.
- It is an excellent antibacterial and antiseptic agent. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, soothing agent for burns and wounds.
- These plants treat various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, and many others.
3. Cannabis
Cannabis plants have been in use for centuries for their medicinal and recreational properties. D8 strains are one of the compounds that are called cannabinoids. It’s present in small amounts in hemp and cannabis plants.
Benefits:
The cannabis plant has a range of medical uses. This plant helps in the physical as well as mental well-being of the person:
- It is one of the essential ingredients for improving memory, improving brain function, and giving you energy for doing everyday activities.
- It is a potent anti-stress pill that helps people deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.
- This also has an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Chamomile
The chamomile plant is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It contains apigenin’s chemical compound, which gives it its characteristic smell and flavor. In late summer, the chamomile flower blooms grow in circular clusters and have small yellow flowers in the center.
Benefits:
- Chamomile is a herb that improves your health by aiding the nervous system. People use its properties to cure physical and mental stress.
- Studies have shown that the anti-anxiety effects can be achieved through chamomile tea drinking.
- It helps reduce the symptoms of sleep deprivation, including fatigue and sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
- It may also assist in treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and boils because of its soothing effect on skin tissue.
5. Chinese Evergreens
The Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) plant is one of the most commonly grown plants in the world. It is a plant that is easy to grow and has low maintenance. This plant can thrive in light conditions and make it an excellent choice for indoor areas.
Benefits:
- It helps to improve memory, concentration, learning ability, and mood swings due to stress, tiredness, or depression.
- This plant offers people the opportunity to increase their productivity and health. It is also great for living space.
- Keep these plants by your house as ornamental decorations to remind you to relax and calm in every situation.
Final Thoughts
Plants are a great way to start if you’re looking to improve your mental and physical well-being. Many of them have therapeutic properties that can help improve our moods and health. So, if you’re looking into plants that you can use for physical and mental well-being, go through our list of beneficial plants above. This list of plants has been carefully selected based on their traditional use as remedies for various ailments. Some of these plants have helped improve moods, boost energy levels, and help with anxiety and depression.
