Plants come in all shapes and sizes. There are colorful flowers, plain green shrubs and everything in between.

Plants make awesome get well soon gifts and everyone appreciates and can make use of a plant somewhere in their home. They can fill a room with a wonderful scent, or take the design of a room to new heights.

But while plants often serve as decor or are simply purchased to improve the look of a space, many plants are actually capable of healing us in one way or another.

With that in mind, this article is going to go over a couple of healing plants you should look to surround yourself with.

1. Snake Plant

One of the most common healing plants you will see is a spider plant. These vast plants look great and are incredibly easy to take care of, so anyone should be able to grow one. The benefit of this plant and others like it is that they can purify the air in your home.

They can rid the air of harmful toxins and simply make your home a healthier place to live and breathe. These plants enhance the yoga experience, too. Having pure air free of harmful toxins can improve your yoga sessions and having plants around where you practice yoga can also boost your mood. Apart from being visually appealing, they are able to act as anchors for your meditation efforts.

2. Lavender

Another plant capable of healing is lavender. It offers not only anti-septic properties, but is also anti-inflammatory. It has been used to treat fungal infections, nausea, eczema and several other irritating issues and infections.

Also, with the need to maintain a healthy diet always being important, some flowers like Lavender can also be eaten. Lavender contains very little calories, and also has no fat or cholesterol.

Not only that, but the scent of lavender is very pleasant and sweet, and is often used in relaxation lotions, creams and soaps. The scent can help to calm us down and help us relax, which are both very important to staying healthy and happy.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has long been noted for its healing properties. If you head to any grocery store, you will find aloe vera in a number of different places. You will find it in some lotions, some after-sun care products and even mixed with water in the beverage aisle.

The clear gel of the plant has been used to soothe sun burns, treat cuts and reduce skin inflammation in people all over the world. When taken internally, aloe is a superfood that encourages good gut bacteria and can help with inflammation and constipation.

The ease of growing and maintaining aloe vera is another reason why it is so popular. Watering it every three weeks or so is more than enough, and you don’t need to do much more than that to keep it alive and well. This is a versatile healing plant, and one that is always good to have around.

4. Kava

If you are struggling with a lot of stress and anxiety from your busy life, there are several things you can do to help. Yoga, meditation and doing all you can to relax are good ideas. Another good idea is to surround yourself with the kava plant.

This plant has been traditionally used by people on the Pacific Islands not only to solve disputes, but also build relationships through relaxation. Compounds known as kavalactones, which are found in the root of these plants, are the reason for the anti-anxiety effects this plant can produce.

The plant can be consumed for its benefit in a number of ways, but the most common is either as an herbal tea, or a tincture.

While these plants can be tougher to find in some cases, if you look at retailers or online stores that specialize in tropical plants, you should be able to find them. Once you have it, it is easier to take care of than you would think, as it enjoys a nice mix of sun and shade.

5. Gotu Kola

Native to Asia, the Gotu Kola is in the parsley family and is incredibly popular for the mental benefits it can provide. It is popular amongst those who practice Ayurvedic medicine Normally eaten on its own or in a salad mix, this plant is believed to not only help our memory, but also sharpen our thinking and generally help people become mentally healthier.

But in addition to these mental benefits, Gotu Kola can also benefit us physically. It can help our kidneys and liver, assist with skin irritation and other issues and is even believed to be able to help cure the common cold. Treating bacterial or viral infections is another reason many people may use the Gotu Kola plant.

6. Marigold

When many people think of and see marigolds, they notice their incredible beauty and the vast amount of colors they come in. These flowers can be very eye-catching and make great decor in vases as a bouquet, or as part of an arrangement. But in addition to looking great and having a strong and pungent scent that many people enjoy, marigolds can also be great for your health.

The flower is a natural antiseptic that can assist with helping wounds heal, dealing with rashes, and can also help with itchiness. It is also commonly used to help those suffering from a sore throat and marigold tea is consumed to detoxify the boy and nourish our skin.

Easing cramps and dealing with eye and skin inflammation are some other useful reasons to keep marigold around. This is truly a plant that can do everything from look good, to help you with a laundry list of health-related issues.

These are just some of the many healing plants that you should be sure to surround yourself and your home with. Many are easy to find and can surely help you lead a healthier life.