The role of plants in our life

Improving Physical Health

According to a Norwegian study conducted at the Agricultural University of Norway by Dr Tve Fjeld, plants have a significant impact on people's health. According to the study, even a small number of plants can help with minor health issues.

By keeping our mucous membranes healthy, plants' increased humidity helps to minimise hoarseness, coughing, and a dry throat by about 30%. Increased humidity also results in fewer skin irritations. The presence of interior plants greatly reduces headaches and weariness, by at least 20%.

Improving Mental Health

Our mental health is significantly impacted by how much time we spend in natural settings. This is a result of something called biophilia, which is the fundamental human need to interact with nature and other living things. Did you know that plants can also help individuals feel less worried and anxious at work? It has long been recognised that views of nature speed up the healing process for hospital patients.

Interior plants help to replicate the natural environment, which can increase people's emotions of well-being, lessen depressive symptoms by up to 58%, and enhance memory and attention spans. Employees who work in offices with biophilic features reported a 15% rise in creativity levels. Plants can even encourage people to be more creative at work.

Reducing Absenteeism

Reduced presenteeism and absenteeism is a result of interior plants (being at work but feeling unwell and not performing well). According to an American study, the absence of natural components at work is directly responsible for 10% of employee absenteeism. 1.3 times more expensive than absenteeism, presenteeism costs £1 billion annually, according to the Foresight research of mental capital and well-being. This demonstrates unequivocally how indoor plants may help businesses save a lot of money by giving their employees better health.

Purifying The Air

By absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the air during photosynthesis, plants contribute to the purification of the air we breathe. For instance, if you build a green wall, it will remove about 2.3 kg of CO2 from the air for every 1m2 and produce 1.7 kg of oxygen annually.

Additionally, indoor plants lessen the number of airborne pollutants. According to a NASA study from 1989, inside plants can absorb volatile organic chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene (TCE). These substances are all known to lead to health issues like irritation of the skin, eyes, and nose. According to a NASA study, indoor plants effectively and considerably lower the level of VOCs in the air by absorbing them through their soil and leaves.

Improving Humidity

Buildings typically have dry air, and workplaces with air conditioning are no exception. Dry air and poor ventilation contribute to "sick building syndrome" by making it easier to get coughs, colds, and headaches as well as other health issues like skin irritability and itchy eyes. Additionally, it may make respiratory conditions like asthma worse.

Office spaces with inside plants have higher humidity levels, which decreases these minor staff health issues. According to studies, plants can reduce sick building syndrome by about 25%, which will lower absenteeism and improve workers' general health.