What is it, and what are the benefits?
Plants have been used around the world in various ways due to its healing properties for thousands of years. This healing properties of plant use for treat the various type of illness in traditional and modern way. This is the basic idea of Plant therapy. Research carried under the physical benefits has exhibited that herbal remedies are better than placebos when it comes to healing physical ailments like inflammatory bowel infection and ulcerative colitis. Plant-based natural products have the anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in them, which therefore makes it to be used in cancer therapy.
With the healing properties which are in plants to treat physical bodies in one way or the other and its few side effects, would it be possible that plants heal people mentally too?
It would be yes, but to an extent, but there are various ways in which people can use the power of plants to mollify symptoms of mental ailments, even anxiety, and depression. In minor, severe situations, plant therapy also helps boost our systems after an exhausting day, or when we have a bad mood, plants soothe our mind. Plant therapy can serve as a natural- preference to other treatments in fewer cases or it completes other therapies, which are used as a coping mechanism. Plant therapy aid with long-lived success, healing and benefits.
Different Types of Plant Therapy
Plants can be used therapeutically to enhance our mental health in diverse ways. Selecting the method that suits your interests and personality depends on you. The plants work in different ways; there is a possibility that it works for you and doesn’t work for others, and vice versa. Some of the significant ways that plants can be used in rejuvenating one’s mood and treatment of symptoms of significant issues like anxiety and depression include:
• Essential oils
• Healthy eating/ diets
• Gardening/ taking care of plants
All the above can be used independently or collectively as part of a healthy culture. You can decide to take them up on your own or do more findings and ask for guidance to get the most result. For instance, to get maximum benefits, you can attend a horticultural therapy program or start a garden by yourself to be more practical.
● Essential oils for plant therapy
Aromatherapy is the one of the major type of plant therapy. Aromatherapy is the use of organic compounds to enhance moods and general health. These organic compounds are known as essential oils. They are derived from different plant parts, which are; blossoms, leaves, seeds, and roots” – according to the health line. It is important to note that experts aren’t sure how these oils effectuate, and the fact that they don’t work everyone, but could be used to help with depression.
Major essential oils which are recommended for treating (plant therapy) depression symptoms include:
• Jasmine
• Chamomile
• Geranium
• Sandalwood
• Ylang-ylang
While major essential oils recommended for treating anxiety symptoms includes:
• Bergamot
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Rose
• Vetiver
Essential oils are sometimes used on their own or blended and can be used in several combinations for various purposes. Essential oils can be used in diverse ways, relying on your interest or likes.
How to use
You can diffuse essential oils, use them while bathing, or can apply them topically (meant for pertaining local application and action (as on the body) with a roll-on or, by massage.
● Healthy eating/ Diet
Still, on the topic of plant therapy, it only appears virtually talking about diet. The most helpful and most comfortable way in which we can use plants to improve our physical and also our mental health is by eating them. Stay focused on your diet and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables because of its positive impact on your energy and emotion.
● Gardening
Gardening can be classified as a form of plant therapy used in aged care and creating therapeutic gardens. Gardening can be used to complement medication and boost mental health.
According to Horticultural Therapy, the best types of plants to use in therapeutic gardens includes:
• For fragrance – gardenia, lilac, rose, pine
• Edibles (fit to be eaten) – Fruits, herbs, vegetables
• Seasonal annuals – Hyacinths, pansies, tulips
The Horticultural therapy Institute shares some of the best types of plants to use in therapeutic gardens (according to students and alumni):
Note:- that you must always check on the safety and toxicity of plants you’re using just as you will do for essential oils. Particularly if you have pets that can consume any of the things you’re growing.
Ayurvedic medicine and Plant therapy
Plant therapy play a major role in the Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine has a proud and traditional past regarding the curing different type of physical and mental illness.
