April is Earth Month. Mother Nature provides us with the means of sustaining ourselves through the biodiversity of plants. We survive on this planet partly due to Photosynthesis:
6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2
I will forever remember this from Chemistry class. To this day I can still recite the above chemical equation of Photosynthesis. For the rest of us who don’t speak chemicalese, the numbers and letters translate to six molecules of water plus six molecules of carbon dioxide produce one molecule of sugar plus six molecules of oxygen. Why is this important? Without this process we could not sustain life on this planet!
Photosynthesis is the conversion of the sun’s energy into chemical energy by living organisms using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. The raw materials are utilized by the plant to create carbohydrate, hydrogen dioxide and oxygen which sustains the plant. This is how plants feed themselves. We live in unison with plants; we provide the carbon dioxide from our exhaled breath and plants provide us with oxygen.
A single tropical tree can be home for more than a thousand
different insects, animals, reptiles, and birds.
Plants provide shelter for animals and humans. Birds build nests, other animals create habitats and some sleep in the shelter of the leaves. Trees are used to construct our homes, provide shade to keep them cool, and smaller plants clean the air inside.
Herbs, spices, seeds, nuts and oil come from plants. Some plants are harvested for their medicinal properties and most prescription drugs and medications are derived from plants. Plants are our primary source of food and contain essential vitamins and minerals. Humans and animals eat and utilize plants on land, lakes, streams oceans and seas. Coal and fossil fuel comes from preserved plants from over 350 million years ago. Plants such as hemp and cotton provide us with raw materials for clothing and other textiles.
Essentially there is no life without plants
When you stop to think about it, most of us utilize some part of a plant on a daily basis. We can give back to our planet by planting a tree, shrub or plant. The more we plant, the greater the filtration contribution to the world. Plants act as filtration systems and can help to clean up our lakes, rivers, and oceans as well as clean up the atmosphere and the quality of air in our homes.
I was impressed with a recent article in the Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspaper about a wildflower campaign called Color Oklahoma. Essentially they are looking for donations of local wild seeds to sow in the spring and fall to fill public parks, roadsides and other highly visible public areas with beautiful greenery and colourful blooms. How brilliant is that? What I am really pleased about is the fact that this will be a natural venture that will eliminate the need for the spraying of pesticides and herbicides that cloud our atmosphere with deadly toxins and poisons. Now if only Arizona could catch on to this. For more information go to http://www.coloroklahoma.org
Here are some simple plant rules to follow to give back to our planet:
1. When landscaping, plant native trees and plants that are local to your area. Native plants are already adaptive to the area and can tolerate the weather in your zone and will require less watering and fertilizer and will attract beneficial insects and birds.
2. Avoid pesticides and herbicides. I am thrilled that in Ontario it is illegal to spray pesticides and herbicides on lawns and public areas. All Canadian Home Depot no longer carry any offensive poisons. If we could only get Arizona to follow suit! In the mean time, look for natural remedies or learn how to group plantings for a natural pest control.
3. Pull weeds instead of spraying. If you have a landscaping company or gardener, have them pull weeds instead of spraying.
4. Create a composting area to add natural, nutrient rich native compost to your garden. This will reduce waste, reducing landfill and keep chemical fertilizer off of your yard.
5. Leave grass clippings on your lawn or add to your compost. This is a natural wonderful way to add nitrogen to your lawn and garden.
6. Inside your home, add plants to clean and improve inside air quality. Here are the top indoor plants (according to NASA) that are the most effective in counteracting and absorbing off gassed chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethyleneand . These beneficial plants will also contribute to balanced internal humidity and optimal air quality.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Golden pothos or Devil's ivy (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)
Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)
Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')
Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Gerbera Daisy or Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Pot Mum or Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Earth Day is April 22, 2009. What are you doing to celebrate?
Karen Langston Nutrition and Functional Medicine and Wellness Specialist
www.IAmWorthIt2.com* Karen@iamworthit2.com
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