The Plants that Keep You Healthy in the Office

Benzene, Formaldehyde, and Trichloroethylene. Everyday toxins from paper products, carpeting and plastics that infect offices and homes, often causing side affects like drowsiness, respiratory infection, and in extreme cases, contributing to liver cancer!

Living plants and flowers can actually filter-out these pollutants and make the air you breath safer and healthier. Here are some examples of toxins and the plants that can save your office:

The Peace Lilly:

The Peace Lilly is native to the tropics of Latin America and Southeast Asia. and known as a great deterrent in combating Benezene, a carcinogen often found in office areas. The side-effects can range from drowsiness and headaches, to nervousness and loss of appetite.

Many other plants combat this toxin, including the Warneckei and English Ivy.

The Golden Pothos:

The Golden Pothos, or Epipremnum Aureum, is another plant native to Southeast Asia.

The Pothos is best known to combat the toxin formaldehyde, which is can be found in floor coverings & carpet backing, with side effects like eye, nose and throat irritation, upper respiratory tract irritation and headaches.

Golden Pothos isn't the only option. Formaldehyde in the air can become dramatically reduced by introducing plants like the Corn Plant and the Philodendron.

The Dracaena Marginata:

This tropical plant is native to Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa, and is otherwise known as the "Madagascar Dragon Tree."

The Marginata is extremely helpful against Trichlororoethylene, a colorless, odorless, volatile liquid frequently used in chemical manufacturing and dry cleaning. It has also been directly linked to liver cancer by the National Cancer Institute.

Fighting this bad guy isn't as difficult as one might think. Introducing a plant like the Marginata into your office environment will add the defense you need against this harmful agent.

Other plants that combat Trichlororoethylene include the Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy and the Peace Lilly.

These plants have a two step solution. Introduce the plant in the office to reduce stress, and allow the plant to take in the atmosphere, absorbing the bad toxins while releasing the good karma.