WANBO – Grow plants that help with your wellbeing
Happy Green Week! The WANBO team at Island School hopes you all have had a lovely week of environmental awareness, and have participated in at least one of our intriguing activities! We highly encourage individuals to join us in at least one of our competitions—submissions and details can be found here.
Brought to you by our Tai Wai Newsletter team, here is an article on certain plants and their association with human wellbeing!
People have been using medical plants since prehistoric times and this tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. The World Health Organisation considers treatment with medical plants as the most effective, natural, safe, and affordable medicine. So, how can these organisms benefit human wellbeing and health?
Aloe Vera
Known for being the perfect solution for preventing bad sunburns and skin irritations, aloe vera has been used for thousands of years as a common natural remedy for skin and internal uses. However, other than its general use, it also offers various health benefits—helping purify the air and absorb airborne particles that come from chemicals and cleaning agents in a room.
Lavender
Apart from aloe vera, most of us might hear of lavender before, a beautiful flowering plant known for its violet flowers and gentle aroma. Lavender makes a perfect houseplant, you can simply place it on your desk as decoration! The subtle and pleasant scent of lavender offers stress-relieving benefits that can alleviate tension so if you’re feeling stressed about school, this might be the perfect houseplant for you.
Orchid
We also have orchid, another common houseplant that you might have come across especially during Chinese New Year. Orchids promote relaxation and enhance feelings of calmness and peace. In addition, it is believed that dry orchids can be used in traditional medical teas to boost your immune system and relieve feelings of fatigue. Last but not least we have rosemary.
Peppermint
To soothe your body and mind during Covid, try planting your own peppermint plant, which can be easily bought from nearby flower markets. Peppermint plants contain menthol which boosts our energy, helps release stress and improves our mood. Place your potted peppermint plant next to you, so its aroma can spread through the room. If that sounds unpleasant and invasive, opt for peppermint tea, which helps to treat colds and indigestion. Moreover, the leaves of peppermint plants serve as fine garnishes for a multitude of dishes.
Feel free to email your campus WANBO Leaders if you have any queries. Stay green!
Sha Tin Wai: chanan.ng@online.island.edu.hk or ady.lam@online.island.edu.hk
Tai Wai: katrina.hon@online.island.edu.hk or alexandra.lai@online.island.edu.hk
You can also follow our Instagram page @iswanbo to be notified of WANBO updates, and learn more about the environment around us!
Bibliography
Joyner, L. (2019). These are the plants that help to reduce stress. Retrieved 10 March 2022, from https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/plants/a28435128/plants-reduce-stress/
Life, M. (2020). 4 Plants for Reducing Stress and Anxiety. Retrieved 10 March 2022, from https://www.mygardenlife.com/how-to/4-plants-for-reducing-stress-and-anxiety#:~:text=Peppermint,reduces%20stress%2C%20enhances%20self%20confidence
Geller, J. Mint It’s More than Just a Garnish. Retrieved 10 March 2022, from https://jamiegeller.com/guides/mint-its-more-than-just-a-garnish/
Article by WANBO Tai Wai team
