Antimicrobial Plant Nursery
Through photosynthesis plants convert the carbon dioxide that we exhale (which is toxic) into fresh oxygen. They also have the magnificent ability of removing other toxins from the air that we are consistently breathing in.
Why is this relevant to you? In a time with the Coronavirus pandemic, flu season, and the fears for our health, we need plants more than ever, especially as many more people are staying in their homes and forgoing time in nature due to mass hysteria. Detoxifying the air in your home is health imperative, and here is why:
Many of us are now self quarantining in our homes. Due to this new development the air quality in these enclosed spaces is more polluted than ever.
NASA has stated that houseplants are the most effective way to naturally purify the air. With viruses and bacteria surrounding us, live plants can eliminate toxins in the air and prevent your home from becoming a breeding ground for these nasty viruses and bacteria to grow and mutate.
While we breathe in the fresh air, we breathe in phytoncides, airborne chemicals that plants give off to protect themselves. Phytoncides have antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease. When people breathe in these chemicals, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells or NK. These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies.
Volatile phytoncides are able to penetrate the lungs and skin into the human body. They inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms, protecting against infectious diseases. Phytoncides normalize heart rate and blood pressure, participate in metabolism, reduce blood sugar levels, have a beneficial effect on the blood circulation in the brain, liver condition, bactericidal activity of the skin, as well as on the immune and nervous system.
Inhalation of volatile phytoncides of coniferous trees increases the resistance of erythrocytes to a lack of oxygen, almost doubles their lifespan, and has a positive effect on the function of the entire circulatory system. It is no coincidence that people living in forest areas are much less susceptible to diseases of the upper respiratory tract compared to the townspeople.
Volatile phytoncides affect the physicochemical composition of the air. They increase the concentration of negative ions in the air and reduce the number of positive ones. Phytoncides ionize oxygen in the air, thereby stimulating its biological activity. In addition, they improve the efficiency and economy of cell energy, and contribute to the settling of dust particles.
Ficus Rubber Plant
F. elastica reported to be having inhibitory effects against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The fruit latex extracts from this plant were known to be possessing antibacterial and antifungal activities due to the presence of active components such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and enzymes.
Similarly, the barks extract of F. infectoria were also reported to be effective against bacterial strains causing infections in humans.
It has also been reported that Ficus plant extracts are responsible for curing numerous diseases like
respiratory diseases, sexual disorders, central nervous system (CNS), gastric problems, skin diseases and diabetes. Due to its antibacterial activity, Ficus species were used in folk medicines as an astringent, carminative and to cure stomachic, vermicide, hypertensive and helminthic. This plant has gained much importance in Ayurveda for preparing many medicines which cures dysentery and diarrhea. In addition to saturating the air with oxygen, moisturizing, and purifying from toxins, it releases phytoncides which supress the vital activity of microorganisms.
Snake Plant
Sansevieria helps the human body adapt to changing conditions, increasing its immunity. Thus, it protects against colds, reduces the harmful effects of changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity. It also protects from toxins released by synthetics and linoleum. Studies Air-Purifying Plant: Sansevieria trifasciata is in NASA’s list of air-purifying plants, improving indoor air quality by passively absorbing toxins (formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. Analgesic/ Antiseptic: Study of ethanol and water extracts of Sansevieria trifasciata leaves showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05) increase in pain threshold in the tail-immersion test. The water extract showed not significant effect on brewers’ yeast-induced fever I rats; however, the EtOH extract had significant reversed yeast-induced pyrexia.
Philodendrons
Plants have a beneficial effect on human health, performing a number of functions. One of them is microclimate improvements as a result of the increase in air humidity, air ionization, increase in the amount of oxygen and positively influences the human psyche.
Another important function of indoor plants is to clear the air of dust, toxic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that can cause various diseases. Plants produce biologically active volatile substances= phytoncides- which have antimicrobial properties
Kalanchoe
The aerial part contains flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, organic acids, micro and macro elements (AI, Mg, Ca, Cu, Si, Mn). Kalanchoe juice acts like aloe juice, has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes the rapid cleansing and healing of wounds and ulcers, does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes, and has little imposition of secondary sutures. They are used in complex treatment of patients with erysipelas. In ophthalmology, juice is used in the treatment of burns, injuries, keratitis, corneal erosion, degenerative damage to the elements of the eye, retinal pigment degeneration, herpetic keratitis. Used in dental practice for gum disease, in obstetric and gynecological practice.