Christmas Poinsettia's Have Health Benefits

Poinsettias are the number one flower during the holiday season. They bloom in December and there is a Christmas legend behind them. There was a little girl in Mexico who had no gift for the baby Jesus during a holiday program. She is said to have gone outside and picked a handful of weeds to lay at the church altar. Once she placed the weeds, they bloomed into what we know today as a Poinsettia. In reality, the flower is named for the man who purchased them in Mexico and first brought them back to America. Poinsettias are known for their beautiful array of colors, hues, and shades.

There are also some benefits to having one of these plants in your home. First of all, it is important to note that Poinsettias are not poisonous. There is a widespread belief that this flower is poisonous and will harm dogs or cats who eat the leaves. As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias were never intended for human or animal consumption. If you have a sensitivity to latex, (the milky fluid inside of cut poinsettias) you may experience allergic reactions such as skin irritation or a rash. Overall the Poinsetta is a safe plant and is at the top of the list of houseplants that can clean the air.

Poinsettias are beautiful to look at while they are purifying the air. Poinsettias are known for removing the trace formaldehyde that exists in the air from grocery bags, insulation, particleboard, and other household items. These plants clean the air and decrease pollutants. They make great holiday gifts, especially for those who are homebound, hospitalized, or in a long term care facility. Individuals who are shut in cannot benefit from fresh air and sunshine outdoors. Poinsetta's and other plants bring the outdoors right to them.

There have been studies that indicate that houseplants can help sick people heal faster so keep this in mind. Over the years NASA has done extensive research on clean air plants and has come to the following conclusion. In a room that has a standard 8-foot ceiling, two plants can clean 100 square feet of area. Two plants to each is not really a lot when you consider the benefits, With a little time and rearranging it should be quite simple to add a few house plants.

There is also something unique about Poinsettas and that is that they can be painted just about any color. You can even add glitter to give them a festive holiday look. Poinsettias typically come in red, speckled or white and are easy to care for. They thrive in indirect, natural light, especially during the shorter days of the winter season. Be sure to protect them from cool drafts and extreme temperatures of heat or cold. It's best to water these plants in the sink and allow them to sit for five minutes. Discard any excess water and be mindful that you may have to water it daily. Pay close attention, to your plants, make sure you don't allow it to dry out completely.

You can keep your Poinsettia throughout the entire year by doing a few simple things. Do not fertilize your plant while it is blooming but during the spring while it is growing. You can feed the plant once a month with any water-soluble plant food. You should notice that new foliage should begin to appear about six weeks after the blooming has ceased. In the spring you can repot your poinsettia in a slightly larger pot by using regular potting soil. In September, you can encourage blooming, by switching over to a bloom booster.

There are people who have found other uses for poinsettias but these are not recommended. In spite of safety concerns, there have been individuals who take poinsettia to reduce fever, stimulate breast milk production, and even cause an abortion. The latex in the plant has been used for pain, to kill bacteria, and to cause vomiting. Some people have applied poinsettia latex directly on the skin to remove hair, treat warts, and heal other skin disorders. There is to date no scientific evidence to support any of these claims so please do not try these methods as they could have dire consequences.

Disclaimer

Please note that this article is for information purposes only. Do not attempt to ingest poinsettia or rub it on your skin without first talking with your personal health care provider.