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This blog is another opportunity to feel grateful. Thank you, dear Universe, you continue to bless me with recovery and health.
My childhood was full of anecdotes like:
The more plant-based food you eat, the more likely you are to stay healthy.
But as I grew up, I also realized:
The more likely we are to recover from a disease, the healthier our body and mind will become.
Once, my grandpa narrated a fascinating classic story. A plant story.
I thought of its relevance here as it embodies persistence and growth. It helps us work toward our strength. Life lessons are the panacea that can alter any recovery process.
The story goes like this:
Once upon a time, there was a wise Chinese king. He shares a Bamboo plant story with his son. His son was a constant failure in whichever work he performed. He lacked confidence and gave up quite easily in life. So, the king decided to give him some lessons to boost his self-confidence.
He showed him two plants. One was Bamboo and the other was Fern. He says that the seeds of both plants were sown together. Also, all the other factors that help the plants grow were well taken care of and kept the same.
The Fern started growing fast whereas the Bamboo did not grow until the fifth year. In the sixth year, it miraculously and incredibly grew as tall as 90 feet in no time.
The son was shocked and asked ”How is this possible?”
The kind was curiously waiting to reply. He said that the Bamboo took time to nourish and strengthen its roots. It developed a strong foundation and sustained such massive growth.
His son understood the crux behind the story.
Difficult situations can be dealt with by having the right courage and faith to keep going. Keep working underground toward the ultimate goal. Also, staying focused and committed could generate exceptional rewards.
This story stayed with me and always inspired me from time to time.
In 2016 I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Isaacs’ Syndrome. Isaacs’ is a neuromuscular health condition that stems from muscle hyperactivity. In the process, I also discovered that I had Lyme disease. Lyme is a bacterial illness that gets transmitted through ticks. Glaucoma also accompanied me. Glaucoma is an eye-related disease that damages the optic nerves. And Membranous Glomerulonephritis is a progressive kidney disease. I faced tremendous issues with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. I also developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diabetes, and Blood Pressure.
Indoor plants can be a source of pleasure and health. They are a great source of relieving stress and boosting creativity and productivity. They assist in many other ways of health recovery by influencing the air quality.
An idea about my rare disease of Isaacs’ Syndrome
Isaac syndrome is a rare neurological condition that causes uncontrollable muscle activity. It is an autoimmune disease. The basic cause of the disorder is the body’s immune system attacking its tissues.
The symptoms of Isaacs’ Syndrome are lifelong. They are only manageable and not curable with treatment.
To learn more about Isaacs’ Syndrome you can visit My Life Changing Story on Isaacs’ Syndrome – Ordinarily Rare
Where should I begin? How do I communicate what I went through pre- and post-diagnosis?
The transition of becoming rare was torturous, to say the least.
The suffering became a minute-to-minute phenomenon. It made me vulnerable enough to create further complications to my neurological condition. It further added weakness in the body’s internal system and organs. I had immense breathlessness and anxiety issues. My situation was not letting myself heal despite the care. To this, the Holistic healing techniques proved wonderful. In the process, I also realized that the mind-body connection plays a strong role.
The Healing Power of Indoor Plants
Nature has instilled many plants with medicinal properties. Their healing capabilities can help negate the ill effects of modern living. They are a great source of oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. The process freshens up the air and eliminates harmful toxins. Indoor plants are known to improve concentration and work productivity. They have immense mental benefits as they reduce stress levels and uplift our mood.
Indoor Plants a great source of Companionship
I decided to start small, with a few homegrown plants.
My Ayurvedic doctor helped me with some practical tips that he applied to maintain his farm. He has some amazing-looking plants. It includes Red Butterfly Wings and the Syngonium Red Spot with arrow-shaped leaves.
The trick worked for me as a beginner’s guide and started to show results within a few weeks.
I kept the following easy-to-maintain plants in my bedroom to add zest and bring in a feel-good factor.
English Ivy:
- It is suggested as an air-purifying plant.
- It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- It has some ethnomedical properties. The berries are used for treating cough, joint pains, and bronchitis. It is used in some modern cough medications as well.
- It has benefits for inflammation and respiratory problems.
For me, it acted as an appealing ornamental plant. It felt great to see it climb up walls and stay green, all green around. It offered health benefits by keeping the air clean. I felt vibrant in its presence.
Taking care of it bought health and wellness. Though it didn’t talk to me, it brought me life, the way I did to him.
Spider Plant:
- The common spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is known for its air-purifying properties. It also absorbs ozone.
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Research, of The NASA clean air study confirms its ability to remove air pollutants. Pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene which are present inside homes get diluted. Breathing cleaner air has great health benefits.
For me, it had health benefits. It added much life and color to my room and assisted as a decoration.
Peace Lily:
A beautiful plant that also has therapeutic qualities.
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It has air-cleaning properties, especially acting against pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.
For me, it was a low-maintenance plant with a significant impact. This species brightened my room space and helped keep the air clean and fresh. I am quite sensitive to rain and a moisture-rich environment and develop discomfort. This plan helped in reducing mold spores and helped my throat irritation.
To Conclude
I thank my new roommates. They became a channel for expanding my horizons toward appreciating the smaller things in life. Apart from adding to my room and conferring medical benefits, these plants gave me a sense of bonding.
Their elegance, beauty, and tenderness are mood enhancers. I never felt alone in their presence. They added much more than colour. My room’s ambiance became more positive and enhanced my sense of being there.
My doctor recommended that breathing fresh could curb my rare disease, Isaacs’ Syndrome. Fresh air would help calm my mind and strengthen my immune system. It would reduce fasciculation and stress levels and help many other health issues. I found it exciting to observe them grow, an exercise in engaging my mind and becoming mindful.
My ailing health gave me the chance to live through one of my most enriching experiences. I got an opportunity to associate with Mother Earth. In the process, I learned to be responsible, caring, and sensitive towards life.
Now, every morning I wake up to check on my lovely roommates. I named them, Cher the English Ivy, Spiderman the Spider Plant, and Bud the Peace Lily. They just make me happy and feel healthier.
I encourage my readers to consider incorporating indoor plants into their lives. The power of nature and companionship is a delightful experience.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed above in this article are the author’s own and do not represent any kind of medical advice.
