There are many chemicals lingering in your home air that could be giving you allergies or making you sick without you even realising the cause. One way to get healthier indoor air – that could also nip colds, flu and allergies in the bud – is to place specific houseplants that kill toxins in your home.
Studies conducted by NASA have shown that certain types of plants can banish up to 89 percent of harmful chemicals in the air. Here are some worth taking home:
Peace Lily
These lilies are beautiful but also beneficial: they are thought to kill off quite a few chemicals in the air, including trichloroethylene. This is a man-made substance that can be toxic to the liver, kidneys, nerves and immune system. It can be found in household items such as spot removers, adhesives and cleaning fluids. Besides for ridding the air of this chemical, peace lilies also increase the humidity in a room by up to 5 percent, which relieves dry noses and throats. Definitely a bonus in the winter months!
Gerbera Daisy
Just looking at these daisies is enough to boost your mood, but they can also improve your health. Gerbera daisies remove benzene from the air, which is commonly found in tobacco smoke, and can help you sleep better because they inhale carbon dioxide and release more oxygen. Boosting the oxygen content in a room eliminates stuffy air that can cause headaches and congestion.
English Ivy
This plant has been named a fix for allergies, so it’s a must in your home, especially if you suffer from asthma or allergies. It can also remove up to 60 percent of airborne mould in just six hours. A word of caution, though: if large quantities of the ivy are ingested they can be toxic, and even touching it can be perilous, resulting in rashes or skin irritation. So be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are great for absorbing formaldehyde, a nasty chemical that is found in many household items such as paint and furniture. This substance can be linked to various health issues, such as skin irritations, lung problems, nausea and even cancer. So, if you’re struggling with things like skin rashes or breathing issues, the problem could be in your air. Keep a spider plant to help you combat the chemicals. The great thing about these plants is that they’re small but potent: just one is capable of efficiently purifying a room that is 200 square feet in size.
