Mother nature provides us a beautiful sanctuary of plants, animals, birds, insects and other living beings. There are millions of plant species which cover our beautiful planet Earth with some plants being renowned worldwide and some plants which are rare, exotic and waiting to be discovered by animals and humans alike.
What is special about Plant Appreciation Day?
Though the popularity of plants is quite ubiquitous now, this is your reminder to appreciate the beauty of nature this April 13th which is celebrated as “Plant appreciation day”. This is because until the 19th century, only the upper section of society in Britain grew plants for recreational use. The 17th century is the year when colonisation began and a lot of different varieties of plants came to light as explorers from different parts of the world came to Britain. Tropical, indoor and ornamental plants influenced the invention of gardening tools, fertilisers and manure. Gardening became more widespread and people had a growing interest to beautify their homes and backyards.
The earliest invention was related to gardening. The Wardian case was a sealed glass case perfect for growing plants and transporting them from region to region too. This caused a boom in plant cultivation throughout the world in its true sense.
Why should we thank plants?
Here are some reasons why it is important to show our gratitude to plants –
- Plants provide oxygen for respiration and living
- Plants and trees help us stay cool by providing shade
- Plants bear fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and flowers which contribute to majority of the nutrition on our plate
- Plants provide us a safe space to take shelter for animals and us too. The wood from trees helps us build homes
- Plants can be used as medicinal agents
- Plants help us conserve water
Are there different types of plants ?
Plants are a diverse group. Some plants grow on land while some may live in water. There are 5 different types of plants based on their growth habits.
- Herbs – Small green plants with delicate stems and live for a short period of time. They provide nutrition and can be consumed everyday as a part of a meal or they can be added when cooking. Ex. basil, wheat grass etc.
- Shrubs – Medium sized woody plants which are taller than herbs but shorter than trees. Ex. jasmine, rose etc.
- Trees – Tall and large plants which have a trunk and branch out. They may bear fruits, flowers and leaves. They have an extended lifespan. Ex. mango tree, banyan tree etc.
- Climbers – Climbers are thin and long with a weak stem. They have tendrils and tend to climb. Ex. green peas, money plant etc
- Creepers – Creepers are ground plants which are very weak, thin, long and fragile. They cannot stand upright. Ex. Watermelon, strawberry etc.
There are some plants which can help heal innumerable conditions, here is a list of 13 healing plants for this April 13th
Chamomile
| Scientific name | Matricaria recutita |
| Useful part of plant | flower |
| Healing properties | Helps relieve anxiety and promotes relaxation and better sleep Helps reduce inflammation Helps in wound healing and skin rashes Helps ease vomiting and other gastrointestinal disorders |
| Use | You can enjoy a hot cup of chamomile tea Use it in a hot water compression Chamomile essential oils can be used for aromatherapy too |
2. Lavender
| Scientific name | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Useful part of plant | Flower |
| Healing properties | It has anti-inflammatory benefits It helps relieve pain Helps treat insomnia and headache Relieves body pain Acts as an insect repellent It relieves stress It has antifungal benefits |
| Use | It can be used as an essential oil or in cosmetic agents You can enjoy a hot cup of lavender tea It acts as a preservative for strawberries |
3. Holy basil
| Scientific name | Ocimum tenuiflorum |
| Useful part of plant | Leaves, stems, flower, roots, whole plant |
| Healing properties | Improves blood sugar levels Boosts immunity Improves heart conditions Reduces inflammation, pain and swelling It is an antimicrobial agent Alleviates stress Boosts hair growth Helps treat cough, cold, asthma, bronchitis cough and cold |
| Use | Brew a hot cup of tulsi leaves Add as a herb in cooking You can make a paste of tulsi leaves with honey You can make a facepack using tulsi leaves for healthy skin |
4. Rosemary
| Scientific name | Salvia rosmarinus |
| Useful part of plant | leaves |
| Healing properties | It helps improve dysmenorrhoea, stomach pain It can be used to treat rheumatic pain, epilepsy Acts as a diuretic, antioxidant Improves digestion Promotes hair growth and prevents hair fall Improves mood Helps fight cancer |
| Use | Add it in soups, salads, stews, casseroles or when roasting meat and vegetables Make a herbal essence or hair hair rinse Drink a hot cup of rosemary tea Have a hot rosemary bath |
5. Ginseng
| Scientific name | Panax ginseng |
| Useful part of plant | Root |
| Healing properties | It helps improve brain health and memory Prevents depression, fatigue Improves stamina Improves sex drive Decreases erectile dysfunction Improves heart health Prevents menopausal hot flashes Boosts hair growth Improve blood glucose levels |
| Use | Drink a hot cup of ginseng tea Use ginseng powder Take ginseng supplements |
6. Aloevera
| Scientific name | Candelabra aloe |
| Useful part of plant | Gel |
| Healing properties | Improves Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Aids in detox of body Improves digestion Improves skin health and conditions like Psoriasis Improves hair health Promotes better blood sugar management Helps in wound healing Helps heal piles |
| Use | As aloe vera juice As an external application on skin and hair As a moisturiser for feet |
7. Eucalyptus
| Scientific name | Eucalyptus teriticornis |
| Useful part of plant | Leaves |
| Healing properties | Helps as a pain reliever Improves respiratory health Improves oral hygiene Treats dandruff and lice Improves immunity As an insect repellent |
| Use | As an oil You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil during steaming As a tea As a scalp lotion As an aroma oil |
8. Lemon grass
| Scientific name | Cymbopogon citratus |
| Useful part of plant | Leaves |
| Healing properties | It lowers blood pressure Helps in weight loss Acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent Relieves anxiety Improves dental health |
| Use | As lemongrass essential oil As a hot tea It can be used in cooking and salads |
9. Neem
| Scientific name | Azadirachta indica |
| Useful part of plant | Leaves, flowers, fruits, stem |
| Healing properties | It nourishes skin and scalp It improves immunity Helps in wound healing Acts as an anti-acne agent Acts as an insect repellent It improves dental health It acts as a deworming agent It acts as a pesticide |
| Use | It can be used as a powder, neem oil, juice etc. |
10. Dandelion
| Scientific name | Taraxacum officinale |
| Useful part of plant | Root, flowers, leaves |
| Healing properties | It acts as a diuretic Helps fight infections Improves digestive health Helps improve hair health Treats constipation |
| Use | It can be had as tea or added as a garnish on food, tincture, extract or supplement |
11. Peppermint
| Scientific name | Mentha piperita |
| Useful part of plant | leaves |
| Healing properties | It improves oral health It improves digestive health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Helps relieve headache and migraine Improves breathing Relieves menstrual issues It reduces inflammation |
| Use | It can be had as a tea, essential oil, herbal capsule etc. |
12. Sage
| Scientific name | Salvia officinalis |
| Useful part of plant | leaves |
| Healing properties | It acts as an antibacterial agent It reduces hypercholesterolemia It improves memory power It acts as an aunty-oxidant It helps relieve pain It improves nervousness It reduces soreness of throat |
| Use | It can be used as an essence, extract, herb in cooking, tea etc. |
13. Ashwagandha
| Scientific name | Withania somnifera |
| Useful part of plant | root |
| Healing properties | It reduces stress Improves muscle mass and strength It improves endurance It promotes better sleep It helps in cognition It improves blood sugar levels |
| Use | It can be used as a powder, herbal pill etc. |
Let us honour the gift of nature and gift our cherished circle with a plant this year. But, it is important to remember that these plants may not be suitable for all. It is important to speak to a doctor to understand the suitability of the plant since they may cause allergic reactions or may not be tolerable by all individuals based on your medical conditions or surgical procedures.
Mayuri,
Clinical Dietitian, Simplyweight
