The Hidden Health Benefits Of The Plants In Your Home

There's no denying that succulents look fabulous on display in our kitchens and living rooms. They are awesome plants: colorful, diverse, and famously easy to keep alive (just in case you forget to water them for a month). Plus, it's fun to think that we get to bring some of the desert's vast, wild, and free-spirited vibes into our homes.

You've likely heard of agave (named after the Greek word for proud) because it's used to make agave nectar and tequila. But what you may not know is that agave also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties1. Agave was traditionally used to treat cuts and burns and speed up wound healing, and in Central America people use this special plant for anything from stomach ulcers and jaundice to toothaches and menstrual problems. The leaves of the agave plant are even woven to make mats and paper.

Historically, yucca was used to soothe scratches and cuts and even as a treatment for dry cuticles. The yucca plant contains saponins, which are chemical compounds that have exhibited2 anti-inflammatory properties. Many herbalists and healers recommend boiling the roots for about half an hour and drinking it as a tea to relieve pain from inflammatory conditions like arthritis. And although the research in humans isn't conclusive, some laboratory studies have suggested that its compounds display properties similar to drugs commonly used to treat joint pain.

When talking about succulents it's hard to forget the cactus. Famous for their spines, cactus may not seem like the most nurturing plants in the world—but they have a ton of health benefits. Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, a medical doctor and expert in integrative medicine, recommends prickly pear to her patients as a food (grilled or boiled and eaten whole), as a supplement, or to drink as juice. It contains high levels of fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and betalains (which are a rare type of antioxidant).

The famous species Aloe vera has been popular for ages and is even depicted in ancient Egyptian drawings that are over 6,000 years old. There are hundreds of species of aloe, most of them have been used traditionally for their healing properties, and today it is one of the most widely used plants in the world. You see aloe everywhere, especially in juices, lotions, and creams. The clear gel from the aloe plant is often taken internally to treat osteoarthritis, bowel diseases, and fever, and the sap is popularly used as a (very effective) laxative. Aloe can be applied topically to treat burns, cuts, and bruises and there is some evidence that it's beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions and even dandruff.