Just as indoor houseplants like the spider plant bring specific benefits to space stations, homes, and bedrooms, they have also been proven to enhance healing in medical settings.
Kansas State University conducted a study showing that patients staying in hospital rooms with plants had lower blood pressure and steadier, slower heart rates.
They needed less pain medication, felt less stress, were less fatigued and recovered more quickly.
Aside from its healthy effect on your immediate environment, the Chlorophytum comosum imparts a wide variety of other health benefits. The Chlorophytum originates from South Africa, and in Africa, it is considered more than just a pretty face. It is also a healthy, green, leafy veggie!
The leaves of the Ribbon Plant are just chock full of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Powerful anti-oxidants
- Beta-carotene
- Magnesium
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Protein
For these reasons, it makes up a significant portion of the daily diet of many rural Africans. If you grow yours in great abundance, you can use them to enrich your daily diet by preparing them as you would tough greens, such as mustard greens.
Pick young, tender leaves. Wash them thoroughly and cook in boiling, salted water for about ten minutes. Sauté the boiled greens with sliced onions, carrot and garlic in coconut oil until all veggies are tender. Some people find the greens bitter. Serve with a white gravy (milk and flour gravy) to counteract this quality.