Clean Up Indoor Air with These Plants

Pick up these natural air allies from your local nursery: philodendrons, spider plants, and ivy.

They are just a few of the green friends that can help scrub harmful compounds from household air. Just one plant per 100 square feet of living space will help absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The Problem with VOCs
VOCs are everywhere. Carpet, paint, foam insulation, household cleaners, air fresheners, and even cosmetics contain them. And, unfortunately, exposure to these toxins has been cited for causing fatigue, headaches, asthma, and allergies in certain people. Could your indoor air be poisoning you? Find out by reading this article.

Love Your Lungs
Your lungs do a lot for you, from helping you raise your voice over the neighbor’s lawn mower to giving you the O2 you need to mow your own lawn. So why not treat your lungs with kid gloves? Here are some other things that your lungs love:

* Sunshine. Okay, the sun can’t really shine on your lungs. But they do love the sunshine vitamin. Find out how much.
* Cabbage. Yep, there’s nothing like some good old sauerkraut, as far as your lungs are concerned. Here’s why.
* Peanut butter. Give your lungs a creamy, sweet blast of this kid favorite -- they’ll thank you for it. It’s all because of a certain vitamin.

Feeling breathless? Read this article for a simple three-step plan for breathing better.

Exposure to air pollution and environmental toxins can make your RealAge as much as 2.8 years older.



Okay, one green plant per 100 square feet. So that’s . . . 20 plants? Or in some cases, 20 dead plants! Don’t miss out on this tip because you have a brown thumb. Make friends with a fern, shake hands (uh, leaves) with a spider plant, find a phil . . . philaden . . . phyloden. You get the idea.


References: The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps. Watson, B., Smith, L., New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.

 

Sometimes I put a wedge of red cabbage in my blender when I make smoothies for the kids. It's great! They don't even know it's there!

 

Make sure you vet these plants if you have pets My cats will eat ferns or anything that looks like that. Dogs are very susceptible to eating plants and being poisoned.