Many of us keep small plants in the house to make it look nicer. But are these plants also good for the body? Let's find out.

Nature is very good for all of us. Besides keeping the surroundings cool, a patch of green has a positive effect on the mind. A small potted plant is quite different from a vast forest or a small green park, but research says it can play a similar role.

• Danika-Lee Larcombe of Edith Cowan University says it is quite well established that plants have a positive effect on electrical activity in our brains, on muscle tension and on heart function.
• Many studies have found that women who live closer to greenery have lower death rates, and are even less likely to get cancer.
• Many people say that just looking at green plants for a while relieves much of their tiredness and lifts their mood. Even apart from hospital patients, people who are in contact with plants indoors have lower blood pressure and less anxiety.
• Not only sight but also scent can affect mind and mood. The fragrance of flowers such as jasmine or lavender can bring peace of mind.
• Gardening often works like therapy. Spending even a little time regularly with plants, whether watering them or doing some very small task, can greatly reduce the stress we feel from work.
• Many believe these plants can also purify the air indoors. A 1989 NASA study found that plants can remove volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene.

However, many believe that which plant purifies the air more depends on the space in the house. When keeping plants indoors, it should also be borne in mind that plants release carbon dioxide at night, so the right plant for the house should be chosen with careful thought.

Source: Dhaka Tribune. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.