Detox diets are popular with a New Year’s arrival. I did one this winter. Not sure if it worked but I learned a lot about myself. You have a lot to think about on those “cleanse” days when you are just drinking liquids. Primarily how much you like Pizza. I personally think fresh air and exercise are a key factor to good health. The problem in winter is we spend a large share of our day indoors. Think about it….between home and work many people spend 80%, 90% or more of their day indoors in winter. Our houseplants are also “prisoners” indoors in winter. Dry furnace fed air with no fresh air through the windows can get things rather stale. Aside from elevating your mood or calming you, plants can also raise the humidity in a room which is good when the air is dry.
Houseplants can also have a pulling effect on airborne toxins. Studies by NASA have found that indoor plants can eliminate some toxins in the air including formaldehyde, benzine, carbon monoxide and even act as dust collectors. I have a list of prime air cleaning plants that I have mentioned on my radio show….here’s the list!
- Areca Palm (I said “Areca” not “Eureka” which some people might exclaim when they are able to actually keep the plant alive)
- Mother-in-law-tongue (Yes that’s what they call it because most people can’t remember it’s real name Sanseveria. This plant is virtually indestructible)
- Spider Plant (Unless you have a phobia about spiders)
- The Golden Pothos (this is not an all you can eat buffet but a great easy to grow vining houseplant in many variegated variations)
- Aloe Vera (not a waitress in a bad sitcom, this plant is great to have in the kitchen for “owwies”)
- Peace Lily (not the goofy lady next door who still smokes her herbs instead of using them in her cooking)
- Dracaena (not a dance craze but a colorful “spikey” plant that comes in many variations.
- Purple Waffle (not a place you have breakfast, it’s called Purple Waffle because Hemigraphis is too tough to remember)
- Philodendron (my easy going good friend Phil O’ Dendron. There are color variations, split leaf varieties, floor plants and hanging vines)
- English Ivy (a spot of tea anyone?)
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica at one time it’s latex was used to make rubber)
- Money Plant (see money does grow on trees….said to bring good luck)
