Yes, the snake plant. With a name like this, you would think this plant has some venomous poison or in some other way detrimental to your health. I certainly would not expect it to have as many benefits as I discovered it has. Certainly, the other name, Mother-in-Law’s tongue, sounds no better. Many a wife has complained about their mother-in-law being “infuriating”, “Judgemental” “overbearing” and other wonderfully evocative adjectives. Though, I must concede that I have heard about some wonderful mother-in-laws so the bad ones may be in the minority. Who knows! The point is the names associated with this plant would not immediately endear you to it. That is until you do some more digging to find out there are many benefits to this unlikely plant.
In Jamaica, I have always noticed these plants, because they are everywhere, but did not really consider them worth my time. They seemed to grow wildly, with little attention and certainly little encouragement given. They did not seem as useful as many other plants around and certainly not as beautiful – in my estimation at least. So imagine my surprise, when someone at church told me that they had some use! I had to find out more. What I found out, made me a lover of this plant instantly, and even here, in this cold far-flung Isle, I never stopped looking until one day with little effort on my part (not surprisingly), God produced one for me!
These green and yellow spiked hair-raising plants had some serious mojo. Known as “Sansevieria trifasciata“, they are “native to Asia and Africa” and have several health benefits. Who knew that plants could affect your physical and mental health like this plant! Not me. According to Common Sense Gardening, they require little care (though may God help the one I have because I have already killed a cactus, taking care of it!) and therefore a great plant for the most amateur of plant lovers. However, this is not the secret to their magic. No, it is not!. What makes them miraculous? Well, they can filter the air, and remove toxic pollutants, imagine them supplying oxygen for your personal top-up, while absorbing CO2 at night, benzine, Formaldehyde (CH2O) and more. They may be able to boost your mental health, help with minor ailments, and be effective against allergies, among other things. Now, maybe this sounds too good to be true but I have had them in Jamaica and they certainly did not hurt me. As a matter of fact, I slept better and felt more revitalised in the mornings! Added to this is the fact that there are several sources, which list similar benefits of the plant, so it’s a win-win situation. God is truly amazing right?!
So why am I rambling on and on about snake plants? Well, get one and see what it can do for your mental and physical well-being. Why not, what do you have to lose?
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