Insomnia? Allergies? Stress? Let’s clear the air. Some houseplants not only remove toxins in our environment but also promote drowsiness, several studies confirm.
JASMINE: Jasmine fragrance, working in ways similar to barbiturates, eases anxiety and encourages sleep. German researchers tested the scent on mice and watched them curl up and sleep.
ENGLISH IVY: This plant helps clear the air of mold spores, says a former NASA scientist who has researched how to keep space station air clean.
LAVENDER: Lavender bouquets and essential oils are popular as sleep inducers, but try a houseplant, too.
ALOE VERA: A hardy succulent, it vacuums up unhealthy indoor chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while you catch your zzz’s, another NASA study showed.
BOSTON FERN: Back in the day, upscale hangouts were called fern bars because of this ubiquitous decoration. Turns out that Boston ferns remove formaldehyde from the air.
SNAKE PLANT: No green thumb? This plant, an air cleaner, is about the simplest to care for.
(Written by Claire R McIntosh for AARP Magazine)