In this episode, Stacy and Sarah share why you need houseplants, the health-harming toxins they protect against, the best houseplants for air purification and detoxification (especially if you have pets and a black thumb), and tips for keeping them alive.
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The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 339: Healthiest Houseplants that Detoxify and Purify Our Air


(0:00) Intro
Stacy prepared a record number of notes for today's podcast topic - 24 pages!
Sarah is putting the finishing touches on the slides for her event this weekend, ThePaleoMom Workshop and Retreat at 1440 Multiversity!
Today's topic: houseplants!
FYI, "houseplants" is one word! That's something Stacy learned preparing for this show.
Houseplants can act as air purification systems in your home. However, they can be toxic to pets.
Stacy
A special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Joovv!
Joov makes amazing red and near infrared light therapy devices! It's a great tool for detoxifying the body.
Red light therapy is great for autoimmune disease, pain management, depression, improved energy, reduced pain, improved skin, and enhanced weight loss.
Sarah loves her Joovv red light therapy products! She's been using them for 2 years. She has a Legacy, a Quad, and the brand new JoovvGo.
The new JoovvGo is an on-the-go, battery-operated, hand-held red light therapy device perfect for travel and spot treating.
Check out their amazing collection of products, along with the new and very affordable JoovvGo, at https://joovv.com/paleoview.



(14:20) What's in our air that plants could help purify?
In 1989, NASA did a study to figure out how to purify the air for astronauts in space. They screened for the toxins, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
Since then there have been a number of other studies identifying other air toxins including xyelene and ammonia.


Benzene
is a toxic, volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon which is a byproduct of coal.
It's an industrial solvent found in most things to do with furniture: paints, varnishes, lacquer thinners.
Benzene causes central nervous system damage, bone marrow damage, and is carcinogenic.

Stacy notes that there are companies out there who do not use these chemicals. One that Stacy found is Pottery Barn (not an endorsement).

Formaldehyde
Environmentally, it can be found in the atmosphere, fire smoke, and cigarette smoke (to name a few).
Really dangerous when ingested. Vapor can be toxic. Can be managed in small loads.


Trichloroethylene
A synthetic, volatile, light-sensitive, colorless, liquid that is miscible with organic solvents.
Associated with metal because it can be used as a degreaser.
In the process of combustion, it can produce irritants and toxic gases, which can lead to liver cancer, kidney cancer, and lymphoma.
Considered a human carcinogen.



(21:42) Why are plants good detoxifiers and which are best?
Photosynthesis! They take in the air for photosynthesis to use carbon dioxide. They trap the toxic chemicals and filter them through their root process.
It's largely leafy plants (that don't have a lot of flowers) with a strong root system that are the best purifiers.
Stacy and her family started with a Money Tree because it was strong, sturdy, has a good root system, and is hard to kill (Stacy doesn't exactly have a green thumb). Every couple of months they add a new plant.
These leafy plants alleviate "sick building" syndrome.
Sarah notes that in addition to purifying air, plants also have a calming effect. Check out their podcast episode TPV Podcast, Episode 267: The Benefits of Nature for more on that!
Ivy plants make great office plants because they're air purifiers, but they're toxic to pets if eaten.
Snake plants are also great air purifiers. They, too, are toxic to pets. Stacy has come up with a workaround to this by putting it on a pedestal in her home, out of reach from pets.
What happens to the toxins plants take in? Plants, like