What is the Relationship Between People and Plants? Can We Communicate?
Living with plants is like living with an alien species. All life on Earth is interrelated, and humans and plants actually share a common ancestor. Both humans and plants are Eukaryotes, which means that our cells have membrane-bound nuclei. Certain regions of plant and human DNA are the same, further proving our shared ancient lineage. All of this begs the question, if humans and plants have such marked similarities, can they communicate with each other? In answer, we’re not completely sure what the communication potential is between humans and plants is, but we have a pretty good idea.
First of all, plants and humans don’t experience the world in the same way. Humans think, using memory to recall past events and imagination to picture the future. Humans have emotions, which are subjective “feelings-based” representations of physical and mental states. These states are made possible by our brains and highly complex nervous systems.
Plants don’t have nervous systems, but they are able to transmit electrical signals, even communicating with other plants using chemicals. In all probability, plants can “feel” in a way not totally dissimilar to the way humans do. Plants then “react” to this sensation through the production and transfer of various compounds, the movement of leaves and branches, the production of nutrition through photosynthesis, etc.
So. Your homegrown chaste tree plants are sort of like quiet little buddies who can’t move (very quickly or far, at least), see, hear, or (for the most part) think. They can, however, “feel” in a way that you can sort of relate to - for example, sensing changes in temperature or humidity, and producing internal changes accordingly. Similarly, plants may also have a kind of “taste”, registering the nutritional and moisture contents of soil and reacting accordingly with root growth and hormone production.
Considering all of the above, a cultivated blessed thistle essentially “knows” when it’s being treated well. Anyone who has ever worked with plants understands what is meant, colloquially, when a plant is said to be “happy”. This plant looks healthy and vibrant, its leaves and branches move gradually and fluidly throughout the day, and it shows visible growth throughout its most active seasons. Learning to promote “happiness” in your plant, and feeling happy in response, is the essence of Plant Therapy.
Similarly, a mistreated or neglected plant will look “sad”. It won’t grow well, it will droop and grow slowly, and it may gradually dry up and die. We’ve all seen people who respond similarly to mistreatment, exhibiting signs up distress and failure to thrive. This is not to say that plants have the same complexity of “emotion” that humans do, but insofar as a plant is able to “experience” (in an inner life sense) its own physiological wellbeing, it may have more in common with human beings than we sometimes assume.
We say all of this to say that, yes, in some ways, humans and plants can be said to communicate. Though we can probably never completely know, plants almost surely don’t have the higher-order consciousness that humans do (memories and dreams and enjoyment of Game of Thrones and whatnot), but they can “experience” and “know,” if only in the instantaneous reaction to physical stimuli.
Therefore, you probably can’t have a psychic experience with your salad, but you can have an interactive relationship with living plants in your home. As you learn to care for them, to read their needs and externalized representation of inherent wellbeing, you can respond with care accordingly. In giving the plant what it “wants” (external appearance and behavior expressing inner need), you can learn to help your plants thrive.
Senior Health and Fitness Day May 29: How to Inform Your Older Relatives
May 29 is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, and you don’t want your older friends and relatives to miss out. More than simply a day to work up a sweat, SHaFD is an opportunity to start a new, healthier life. It’s a chance to connect seniors with programs and resources that can move the needle on health and wellbeing. It’s also a way for older adults to meet like-minded friends, through institutions that work to serve aging populations.
Those are all good reasons for a senior to participate in SHaFD. The national event is designed to help people become healthier and better connected with their communities. If you can communicate this vision to your older friends and family, you’ll have a good chance of getting them to participate.
It’s important for people who are hesitant to understand that SHaFD isn’t very demanding. In fact, it’s an event aimed at beginners. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been to the gym in 30 years, or ever! Participating in SHaFD is simply a way to take a step in the right direction.
Here are some places in your community that are likely throwing events, workshops, and classes on Senior Health and Fitness Day 2019:
Banks - Banks have tons of older customers, and older adults still visit their local branch regularly. For this reason, they tend to gather helpful information about local health resources for this day.
Gyms and Health Clubs - This one’s obvious. Most gyms have plenty of intro-level adult fitness classes. The gift of a monthly gym membership can make a big difference for an older adult you love.
Houses of Worship - Local churches, synagogues, mosques, covens, and sacred sweat lodges frequently provide informational resources about SHaFD for their congregants, sometimes even having events and classes available onsite.
Hospitals - Being healthy is the best way to stay out of the hospital, but look for resources about SHaFD here anyway.
Malls and Shopping Centers - Local events will be advertised here, and some may be scheduled onsite.
P&R Departments - The “Recreation” side of the Parks and Recreation Department will have plenty of information about SHaFD.
Retirement Communities - Even if your senior friend doesn’t live in a retirement community, these centers are usually the nexus of local SHaFD activities.
Aging Agencies and Departments - Any governmental agency that attends to the needs of seniors will have information and events related to SHaFD.
So what can you expect from local SHaFD programming? Many gyms and fitness centers will have promotional membership prices for new senior members. If an older adult is interested in joining a class or center, May 29 would be the time to get the best deal. SHaFD can be a great time to look for local get-togethers, as well. There will probably be at least one local cookout that’s free for all, and enjoyable even for those of us who aren’t very fit (yet). If you play your cards right, SHaFD can be a great way to meet friends, new and old, without even having to break a sweat.
Even if you’re not a senior yourself, take the time to connect with someone you love who is. Also let SHaFD serve as a reminder that it’s always a good time to make a new commitment to health and fitness, no matter your age or health status. Even if you don’t hit the demographic criteria for SHaFD, you can still approach most of these event centers for information about how to improve your own health. One way or another, days like Senior Health and Fitness Day are good for us all.
In the West, most of us are acquainted with only a small variety of teas. Perhaps you grew up with only one: “Sweet.” And while there’s nothing wrong with a tall glass of sugary black tea over ice, the world has a much larger bounty of herbal beverages. Many of these have medicinal properties that may make a noticeable difference in mental and physical states. We’ll take a look at some of the more unusual teas (at least to the average Westerner). Most of these have been cherished in traditional medicine for eons and ready to provide you with an interesting new way to promote personal health and vitality.
Rehmannia
Rehmannia is a flowering perennial herb used in Chinese traditional medicine. The plant is also a common ornamental for gardens in Europe and North America. The plant can be prepared in various ways for use as a tonic. The resulting products can be consumed as food or steeped into a tea. Traditionally, rehmannia is used as a blood tonic, with applications for kidney health, longevity, and reproductive vitality.
Lobelia
Available as an extract from Mountain Rose Herbs, Lobelia is one of the most effective traditional remedies for cough suppression and mucus discharge. If you’ve been caught up in seasonal allergies, colds, or flu, Lobelia can be a wonderful, natural way to help improve your respiratory distress. This is the perfect tea for coughs that are persistent, lasting long after the primary illness is resolved. Lobelia may help you to recover faster.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root tea is potentially effective for reducing dry coughs (not the mucousy coughs for which lobelia is recommended). Marshmallow root tea has also been shown to help relieve mild gastric distress - stomach aches, indigestion, and queasiness. Marshmallow root tea tastes great and is very affordable to buy. You can likely find it at your local health food store, and it’s available from many trusted online medicinal tea vendors.
Hawthorn Berry
Hawthorn berry has shown promising results in studies about its potential benefits for heart disease. Heart disease and heart failure are two of the most common causes of premature death in many parts of the world, particularly the West. Most often, this results from hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. In the early stages of the illness, regular consumption of Hawthorn Berry tea can improve the condition of the heart and its related vessels. While improvement may be enjoyed in cases of more advanced disease as well, it’s important that patients follow doctors’ orders. Hawthorn berry isn’t a strong primary defense against advanced heart disease. As a preventative medication, though, it’s well suited to the task.
Rosehip Powder
Rosehips (or Rose Hips) are the rounded portion of the rose just beneath the petals. Rosehips are a delicious addition to any tea, but they can be enjoyed for their medical benefits as well. Rosehips have been shown to improve skin elasticity and health, when consumed regularly. For age-related skin conditions, rosehips are a gentle and well-tolerated way to age gracefully.
Bilberry Fruit
The potential benefits of bilberry fruit tea are numerous. To name just a few, bilberry has been shown to reduce capillary fragility, improve eyesight and night vision, improve the body’s response to free radicals (antioxidant action), inflammation, and may help to prevent infections. A delicious addition to many teas, bilberry is worth trying simply because of how yummy it is.
The world is full of interesting medicinal plants that can be enjoyed as teas. Try some from this list and do your own research to find other hidden gems from the world of natural remedies.
Liven Up Stale Indoor Air With These Essential Oils
The warmer spring weather has been an invitation to open the windows and let in some fresh air after the long and cold winter. Unfortunately, pollen season is in full swing and it can be a tough decision between suffering from allergies and getting a gentle breeze indoors.
Well, you no longer have to choose between smelly indoor air and nature. Simplers Botanicals essential oils that are ethically wildcrafted, non-modified, expertly distilled, and always 100% pure so you can enjoy the best of nature indoors and without discomfort.
Keep reading to find out how to choose the right essential oils and add them to your homemade cleaning products or diffuser.
Recommended Spring Scents
With so many essential oil options, it helps to break down each of the oils into a larger category.
When choosing oils, you can find some interesting combinations by using oils from different categories, or by changing the ratio of oils. Instead of a 1:1 split, try adding more drops of one oil to add complexity and excitement.
For a more pure experience, stick with a single oil or choose a second oil from the same category. You can’t go wrong. Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils are less overpowering and are less likely to “linger,” meaning you can have a fresh start with new oils each day.
Using Essential Oils for Cleaning
Essential oils are a great addition to natural springtime cleaning products. If you’re still using conventional cleaning products you find at your local retailer, it’s time to switch.
Not sure how to start? A good way to make the switch is with an all-purpose house cleaner. Simply combine these ingredients to get started:
16 ounce spray bottle
1/4 cup vinegar
1-1/3 cup water
30 drops of essential oil (use at least 15 drops of lemon for the antimicrobial properties, then combine with your other oils of choice)
With your bottle filled, use the spray as you would with conventional cleaners – spray and wipe the area to remove dirt, then spray again and let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes to disinfect. Use it in the bathroom, kitchen, and other areas you want to clean.
How to Diffuse Oils Throughout The Home
Essential oils are volatile, meaning they will turn from a liquid to gas relatively quickly. This makes diffusing oils easy. You can either add a few drops to a decorative essential oils diffuser and let it sit in the open, or place a candle underneath if the dish is designed for an open flame.
You can also purchase an electronic oil diffuser. These work similar to a humidifier. Simply add your oils to the water tank and turn on. This will both increase moisture levels in the air while also dispersing your favorite aroma all over. Just remember not to add essential oils to a humidifier unless the manufacturer states that it won’t cause damage or void your warranty.
Enjoy Spring Indoors and Year Round
Now even if you’re stuck inside because of pollen, mosquitoes, or springtime thunderstorms, you can still enjoy the scents of the season. You may also be happy to know that essential oils may provide a range of potential medicinal benefits. From supporting the immune system, the digestive system, and a healthy mood, essential oils are incredibly versatile and may even help to give your body the extra support that it needs.
Remember to check Simplers Botanicals first for your favorite aromas to ensure you’re getting the highest quality oils possible, then start enjoying them all year round.
