For more than 100 million Americans each year, allergies can make the simplest activities uncomfortable, producing disruptive symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Indoor plants have long been suggested as a potential natural remedy for improving air quality and alleviating allergy symptoms, but can they actually improve allergy symptoms?
The Air-Purifying Power of Plants
Indoor plants are often celebrated for their air-purifying abilities. Certain plants can absorb pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, which are commonly found in household items and cleaning products, as shown in a NASA study.
These pollutants are often found in cleaning supplies and can exacerbate respiratory issues and trigger allergies. By reducing the levels of such chemicals, indoor plants can help create a cleaner and healthier indoor environment and improve air quality and comfort.
However, it should be noted that house plants can also produce allergens that could trigger allergy symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to select the correct types of plants for the home.
Choosing the Right Plants
Selecting the right plants for the home is crucial. On your next trip to 13th Street Nursery, opt for plants that are known to be less likely to trigger allergies. Some great options include:
- Peace Lily
- Snake Plant
- Pothos
Proper care and maintenance of indoor plants are essential to ensure they contribute positively to your indoor environment. Overwatering can lead to mold growth in the soil, which can be an allergic trigger. Make sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and use pots with good drainage.
Additionally, regularly dusting the leaves can prevent dust buildup, which can also trigger allergies. If you notice any mold or mildew on your plants or soil, address it immediately to prevent it from spreading.
Finally, consider good allergy avoidance practices within your home. Regularly dust, vacuum and mop. Wash linens on a routine basis and consider keeping pets out of the bedroom area.
With the right selection and maintenance, indoor plants can be a beautiful and functional addition to any allergy-conscious household, even if they don’t actively remove all allergens themselves, as believed. To learn more about allergy symptom management or to schedule an allergy test for yourself, contact Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery today.
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