Gulf News

The plant therapy

- By Lamiya Siraj The reader is a resident of Abu Dhabi.

Constantly keeping ill has left me questionin­g the lifestyle we have. I have been suffering from the flu, and this made me search for the cause and ways in which I can make improvemen­ts to my life. Back in my home country we are blessed with lots of trees, green mountains and rivers. Trees always allow us to breathe fresh air. Every year, the monsoons arrive with abundant rain and with the abundance of greenery we are able to breathe clean air and satisfy our soul.

However, in cities I observe that my family and I keep falling sick. We have very frequent visits to the doctor.

Rememberin­g my childhood, comparing it to my daughter’s, I find that we were more fit. Now, staying indoors with a central air-conditioni­ng system, we lack fresh air. I bought indoor plants for our drawing room and corridor. I decorated my whole drawing room and corridor with different plants. Slowly and gradually they became part of our daily life and routine. My daughter started watering them.

Our health started improving day by day. We all were happy and in a positive mood. Initially, me and then my extended family and friends started noticing the change in us. They started asking about the ‘secret ingredient’ of our life. With a broad smile I would say: “Go green!” My house is now full of positivity, greenery and pure oxygen. If indoor plants can change one’s life and family, imagine the change it can bring for the rest of society.

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