Editorial

"Zen teaches nothing; it merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points." ~D.T. Suzuki

Monday, October 1, 2012

Floraphilia

or Plants and Why You Want More
Floraphilia


Plants

&

Why You Want More
Silent Running
This is to get you to keep lots of indoor PLANTS. You'll be glad you did, even if you don't know why...yet.
Growing Clean Air

For all of our evolutionary history our survival has depended on the availability of plants in our surrounding environment. This goes further back to even before the first mammals. It was plants that turn our atmosphere from a reducing one to an oxygenated one. Plants grew the air we breathe. We eat and drink thanks to them.
We have shelter and more all thanks to plants

Our ancestors evolved in the forests. However as the climate changed eventually as the lush forests receded and the savannahs grew in their place. The surviving hominids may have begun having more opportunities to scavenge meat and supplement their protein.. Much later on, the remaining hominids, would hunt and fish, but vegetable matter, foraging and gathering provided most of the sustenance. Much later on, after domestic breeding, horticulture and agriculture were adopted. These continue to be the mainstay, it is still the plant harvest that is the bulk (no pun intended) of our diets. Either as fruits and veggies or as feed for our livestock. While we need high quality protein, our bodies are better able to resist the wear and tear of life with the flavins, anti-oxidents and other molecules that only plants produce. Many plants are medicinal and these can either maintain or restore health. The use of plants are varied, many and pretty much all beneficial.

Important for survival in a cruel and competitive world, the necessities of shelter, shade and water are also psychologically associated with plants. Any wonder then that humans love vegetation and lush green plants? Consciously or unconsciously plants make us feel good.

Healthy plants in our environment are good for us. And that's not just touchy feely stuff, there is evidence of a real effect on our health. Scientific research shows that hospital patients actually do better and recover quicker in plant filled surroundings.

Perhaps, in the spirit of Fung Shui or the Star Wars force, plants really do add a touch of "life" to any room. That's certainly ecologically true. Indoor plants not only gently humidify the air, thus making our breathing, our noses, throats, and skin more comfortable, they also remove and trap harmful air-borne pollutants.

In an age of growing concern over energy conservation and air-tight sealed buildings, the appearance of "sick building syndrome" is not all that surprising. Plants are a beautiful and cost-efficient remedy that can enhance well-being at home and boost office productivity.

However, remember this fact as it is becoming more and more important: Indoor plants clean the room's air. They take up the carbon dioxide we breath out and release the oxygen we need to the ambiant air. Toxic vapors from ordinary, everyday indoor solvents are efficiently removed from the air we breath by some common indoor plants.

Much of what the world's plants do globally, they can do for us in landscaping and indoors as well.





Plants Are Practical

You get physical, emotional
& psychological
benefits from having indoor plants. 

Dr. B.C. Wolverton has researched the air remediating properties of plants for use in enclosed systems like spacecraft. His research has found over 50 plants that are very effiecient at removing toxins from the air and giving back clean air in return!


Here's a quick run down:


1- Plants produce oxygen.
2- Plants take in carbon dioxide.
3- Plants are natural humidifiers.
4- Plants filter harmful air impurities.
5- Plants promote feelings of relaxation.
6-  Plants block and absorb noise as well.
7- Plants soothe the mind and body functions.
8- Plants provide humans health and wellbeing.
Clean Air Plants

* Weeping fig (F. benjamina)
* Rubber plant (F. robusta
* English Ivy (Hedera helix)
* Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera helix sagittaefolia)
* Spider plant (Chlorophytum cosmosum)
* Variegated Spider plant
* Lacy Tree (Philodendron selloum);
* Sweetheart plant (Philodendron scandens)
* Small Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
* Large Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Mauna Loa)
* Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium)
* Gerbera (G. jamesonii)
* Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata);
* Kimberley Queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
* Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata);
* Warnekii (D. deremensis warnekii):
* Corn plant (D. fragrans)
* Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens);
* Lady palm (Raphis excelsa);
* Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Sources Of Airborne Toxins Plants That Remove Toxins
Benzene

Detergents
Inks and Dyes
Petroleum products
Plastics
Rubber products
Synthetic fibers
Tobacco smoke


Chinese Evergreens
Chrysanthemum
Dragon tree
English Ivy
Gerbera Daisy
Janet Craig Dracaena
Peace Lily
Striped Dracaena
Formaldehyde

Carpeting
Cleaners
Foam Insulation
Furniture
Paper products
Plywoods and Particle board

Bamboo palm
Corn stalk plant
Devils Ivy
Ficus trees
Philodendrons
Snake plant
Spider plants


Trichloroethylene

Adhesives
Dry cleaning
Inks and Dyes
Lacquers and Paints
Varnishes



Dragon tree
Gerbera Daisy
Peace Lily
Chrysanthemum
Ribbon plant
Rejoice in the Sun Joan Baez
Enjoy
© 2012 MU-Peter Shimon

You may also enjoy: The Quiet Gardener

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