Plants 'can improve your health'
May 26, 2004
Spending 20 minutes every day in the garden could improve your health, experts have claimed.
A report by the University of Reading has highlighted evidence showing the health benefits of plants.
Horticultural experts at the university say that being in the presence of plants can reduce stress levels and increase concentration.
They now want to see the positive effects of plants recognised in the same way as eating healthy foods.
Dr Ross Cameron, of the plant sciences department at the University of Reading, said: "A wealth of published research on the benefits of exposure to plants suggests that depriving ourselves of it could lead to increased stress levels, low concentration, lower productivity - even feeling physically a bit below par.
"Realistically, it's not a huge effort to get involved with plants for
20 minutes a day."
The Horticultural Trades Association is urging the health establishment to
accept the guidance in a new "Recommended Daily Allowance" for
exposure to plants.
The report's author, psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, said: "With so much health advice vying for our attention we prefer to receive simple, credible recommendations such as eating five pieces of fruit, and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day.
"The idea of an RDA for exposure to plants fits neatly into this mindset, enabling us to build a health practice into our lives without having to worry about it."
Source: BBC News Online, 25/05/2004