Home Health: Four Types of Flowers and Plants You Shouldn't Keep at Home
Many people enjoy having flowers and plants at home. However, there are certain flowers and plants that should not be kept indoors as they can pose significant health risks.
What flowers should not be kept at home? What flowers are beneficial to have at home? What are the health risks associated with certain flowers?
Having a few potted flowers and plants at home not only adds beauty but also helps purify the air. However, not all flowers and plants are suitable for indoor cultivation, as some may hide numerous health hazards beneath their beautiful appearance. In an interview with experts, the Life Times warns against keeping the following flowers and plants at home.
These four types of flowers and plants are like carrying danger with you
Highly fragrant flowers and plants
1. Night-blooming jasmine
Night-blooming jasmine emits a strong fragrance at night, which is detrimental to human health. Prolonged exposure to this fragrance indoors can cause dizziness, coughing, and even asthma, restlessness, and insomnia.
2. Tulips
Tulips contain toxic alkaloids. Spending 2-3 hours in the presence of their fragrance can cause dizziness and poisoning symptoms, and severe cases can even lead to hair loss.
3. Pine and cypress plants
These plants secrete oily substances and emit a strong pine scent, which can irritate the digestive system. Prolonged exposure can not only affect appetite, but also cause pregnant women to feel restless, nauseous, and dizzy. In addition, peonies, roses, daffodils, lilies, and orchids, among other fragrant flowers, can also cause discomfort and difficulty breathing, and may even cause insomnia when people are exposed to their strong fragrance for a long time.
Toxic flowers and plants
Many beloved flowers are toxic and can cause discomfort with just a light touch. It is especially important for households with children to avoid keeping such flowers.
1. Yellow and white rhododendrons
These flowers contain toxins and can cause poisoning if ingested, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, and numbness in the limbs. In severe cases, it can cause shock.
2. Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica contains mimosa alkaloids. Excessive contact can cause thinning eyebrows, yellowing and even hair loss.
3. Poppies
Poppies contain toxic alkaloids, especially in their fruits. Ingesting them can cause central nervous system poisoning, and even be life-threatening.
4. Devil's ivy
Devil's ivy contains a toxic enzyme. Contact with its stems or leaves can cause itching and inflammation of the skin. If a child scratches or bites it, it can cause swelling of the throat due to irritation of the oral mucosa, even leading to vocal cord paralysis and loss of voice.
Flowers and plants that can cause allergies
1. Poinsettias
The white sap in the stems and leaves can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Ingesting the stems and leaves can be poisonous and even fatal.
2. Geraniums
Geraniums produce a lot of pollen, which can worsen the condition of people with allergies, especially those with asthma or respiratory allergies.
In addition, jasmine, hydrangeas, globe amaranths, geraniums, and jacarandas can also cause allergies and skin reactions, such as rashes and severe itching.
Flowers and plants with thorns
Cacti
While cacti are effective at purifying the air, the dense thorns on their surface can accidentally injure people. It is best not to keep them at home, especially if there are elderly or young children who may have limited mobility or lack understanding.
In addition, roses also have sharp thorns and their stems and leaves contain toxins, so they should not be kept either.
Flowers and plants that are good to keep at home
1. Peace lilies
A mature peace lily can absorb 1 liter of air in a day and release 80% oxygen. It can even undergo photosynthesis in extremely weak light. It does not emit carbon dioxide at night, and a couple of peace lilies in a room of a dozen square meters can absorb indoor smoke. This is especially beneficial in the cold winters of the northern regions where indoor air does not circulate well. Peace lilies help regulate the air and keep it fresh indoors.
2. African jasmine
African jasmine produces volatile oils that have remarkable antibacterial effects. It promotes relaxation, aids sleep, and improves work efficiency.
3. Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Zamioculcas zamiifolia inhibits the exhalation of waste gases from the human body, such as ammonia and acetone. It can also filter out benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air. Its high evaporation rate prevents dry nasal mucosa and greatly reduces the likelihood of illness.
4. Aglaonema
Aglaonema is known for its excellent air purification ability. The higher the concentration of pollutants in the air, the better it can purify the air. Therefore, it is very suitable for poorly ventilated and dark rooms.
