Stressed out Scots are being offered advice on the best plants to have in their home and garden. Gardening experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have put together their top plants for creating a less stressful environment.
Well known stress relievers all make the list including Lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine and Evening Primrose. Other less well known but just as effective include Peppermint, Areca Palm, and even Aloe Vera, which is more commonly used for its soothing and healing properties.
A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Life is stressful enough, so anything natural we can add to our gardens or inside our home to alleviate some of that has to be a good thing.
“Plants like Lavender and Chamomile are very easy to grow in the garden and require very little care. As well as having great stress relieving properties, they look and smell amazing too.”
Here are GardeningExpress.co.uk top ten stress relieving plants:
1. Lavender
Just the smell and sight of lavender is enough to calm some people. Lavender oil is great for treating anxiety and depression. They’re also very easy to grow in the garden and picked up for pennies.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint lowers frustration and helps boost alertness. It’s also great at relieving tired or overworked muscles.
3. Chamomile
Drink as a tea and Chamomile will help reduce inflammation. It’s also very well known for easing anxiety and aiding a good night’s sleep.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has many medicinal and soothing properties and it’s also one of the most powerful plant air purifiers around. The plant is great to have around if you suffer from anxiety and helps relieve worry and stress.
5. Rosemary
Often using in cooking, Rosemary improves air quality, memory function, reduces stress and alleviate anxiety.
6. Areca Palm
This air purifying palm removes any unwanted toxins and adds moisture to the air. Breathing in cleaner air helps to lower anxiety and blood pressure, with positive effects on our mental health and wellbeing.
7. Chrysanthemum
As well as adding a splash of colour to your home, Chrysanthemums are said to purify the air and lessen the symptoms of worry and stress. It also has lots of medicinal properties including the treatment of high blood pressure, colds, headaches and dizziness.
8. Jasmine
Sweet smelling Jasmine helps promote sleep, meaning you feel fresh and alert and much less anxious.
9. Evening Primrose
This yellow wildflower is said to balance hormones. When your hormones are balanced, you should experience less depression and irritability.
10. Sunflowers
The bright yellow head of a beautiful Sunflower is enough to make everyone smile. The seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that produces serotonin, also known as the happy hormone, which helps improve mood.
