Plant
therapy helps improve mental health
Did you know that plants (trees, flowers, plants) not only
beautify your home and surroundings but also have many medical benefits that we
have been hearing about for years? That is why they have been used for
thousands of years all over the world. Research on the medicinal properties of
plants have shown that the use of herbs in the treatment of various ailments is
more effective than common medicine.
Not only that but natural plant products are also being used
successfully in cancer therapy due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and
anti-cancer properties. In this regard, experts say that the use of plants for
treatment is considered natural because this method of treatment has a lower proportion of side effects than other medicines.
However, an important question is whether plants can also be
used to treat mental illness. In view of the above explanations, the answer to
this question can be given as 'yes' to some extent. There are many ways in
medical science that people can use the properties found in plants to reduce
the severity of mental illnesses (including diseases such as anxiety and
depression). Also, people who are interested in gardening know about the
benefits of getting their hands dirty, watching plants grow, and connecting with
their environment.
Plant therapy can be used to refresh anyone after a busy and tiring day. In
addition, Plant therapy is chosen as an alternative treatment for minor
ailments, leading to long-term success and rehabilitation of the patient. The
American Horticultural Therapy Association defines this type of therapy as
"engaging an individual in gardening and plant-based activities through a
trained therapist to achieve specific treatment goals."
There are many ways to use plants as a treatment for
improving mental health. The choice of the best method depends on the
patient's preferences and personality. Therefore, the treatment that is
considered the best for one patient does not necessarily have to be effective
for another. However, plants can be used as a treatment to improve mood,
depression and anxiety in a few specific cases, such as:
* Use of essential oils
٭ Gardening / Plant Care
* Spending time in the natural environment
* Eat a healthy diet
These items need to be used not only for mental health but also
for individuals and overall healthy lifestyles. Here's how to use them
effectively to improve your mental health.
Essential Oils
According to various studies, aromatherapy uses organic
compounds to improve a person's emotional, mental, and physical health. These
organic compounds are actually called essential oils. These different types of
oils are made from different parts of plants such as seeds, roots, leaves, and
flowers. After preparation, they are also used to relieve stress, relax and
treat many other physical ailments such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and
infections.
However, there is insufficient scientific evidence that this
treatment is effective. Medical experts recommend a few specific essential oils
to deal with depression, such as jasmine, sandalwood, ylang-ylang (a large tree
of the Philippines and Java), baboon, vase, etc. Essential oils made from
baguette and lavender are recommended.
Gardening is also a form of plant therapy, sometimes used to
grow orchards for the care or treatment of the elderly. Gardening is considered
to be the best exercise and therapy for the elderly. According to medical
experts, if such people become interested in gardening, not only their stress
but also their loneliness will disappear.
This type of Plant therapy can be used with
complementary talk therapy and other therapies to promote mental health. According
to the Horticultural Therapy Institute, it is more useful to plant aromatic
plants, fruit trees, and vegetables for therapy.
Spending time in the
natural environment
Staying at home or office 24 hours a day can be dangerous to
your physical and mental health. If you are not interested in gardening, spending
some time in a natural environment can have a positive effect on mental
health. ”Experts say in a study published in Frontiers in Psychology
Spending can be a great help in relieving depression and stress. In this study,
experts call the time spent in the natural environment natural medicine.
Eating a healthy diet for mental health
Many studies show that there is a link between mental
health and diet. According to a study, people who eat a standard diet
are less likely to suffer from depression, while those who eat more processed and
unhealthy foods increase their anxiety. So try gardening to grow fruits and
vegetables and make them part of your diet.
