You can crush the leaves of these plants and smell them to get health-related benefits in different ways!
You will be amazed to discover the natural wonders hidden in your garden plants whose leaves offer unique benefits when crushed and smelled. See what these unbelievable benefits these plants bring to the table!
Crush Leaves of These Plants
1. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
Lavender is quite popular for its fragrance and you can benefit from it, if you crush the leaves and smell them. Research suggests that breathing in lavender’s aroma could improve sleep quality.
Fun Fact: Do you know people stuffed their pillows with lavender to help them fall asleep?
2. Rosemary
Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
The aroma of rosemary improves mood, relieves stress, and lowers cortisol levels. When you crush and smell this plant, it will calm you doing while elevating the alertness and concentration.
Research shows that rosemary reduces cortisol levels by simply just smelling it—reducing stress in the body. To enjoy its benefits, crush a few rosemary leaves and inhale deeply or infuse them in hot water as an herbal tea.
3. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
The minty aroma of the leaves of this herb provides a natural way to control nausea and digestive discomfort. It contains menthol, which can help address digestive issues through its relaxing effects on muscles of the digestive tract.
Simply crush a few leaves and inhale deeply for a few minutes for quick relief.
4. Eucalyptus
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus
When you crush and smell eucalyptus leaves, they release a refreshing aroma with respiratory benefits. Its leaves contain compounds like eucalyptol, which has expectorant properties and helps clear nasal congestion and improves breathing.
Crush eucalyptus leaves in hot water and inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes to help clear blocked nose.
5. Lemon Balm
Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
The leaves of lemon balm have a mild lemon aroma that contains chemicals called terpenes that can have a calming effect. This can also help reduce the growth of some viruses and bacteria due to its antiviral effects.
People have been using lemon balm for cold sores, stress, insomnia, and indigestion. Plus, it also contains eugenol, which calms muscles and fights bacteria.
6. Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Basil emits a sweet and crisp herbaceous scent—inhaling the fragrance of crushed basil leaves may also reduce feelings of fatigue.
In aromatherapy, it is reputed to stimulate, clarify, and uplift the mind. To experience its benefits, crush leaves of this plant and inhale deeply for a few minutes, or add them to dishes for a burst of flavor and aroma.
7. Lemon Verbena
Botanical Name: Aloysia citrodora
The leaves of Lemon Verbena emit a citrusy fragrance that offers various therapeutic benefits. Rich in citral, a compound responsible for its lemony scent, its aroma can help alleviate stress.
8. Patchouli
Botanical Name: Pogostemon cablin
The earthy and musky aroma of Patchouli has a mood-enhancing fragrance that allows the brain and body to relax. The smell of its leaves has also been linked to improving cognitive function, which is good for maintaining focus.
Crush a few leaves and inhale deeply or diffuse patchouli essential oil in your living room or workspace.
9. Lemongrass
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
The citrusy scent of lemongrass has been known to relieve stress and anxiety. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties, too, making it beneficial for skin health, the reason why it is often found in soaps and other personal care products.
10. Chamomile
Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
The aroma of chamomile promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, which makes it useful as a sleep aid and to alleviate digestive issues.
As per a study, 60 people were given chamomile extract twice a day, which showed a significant increase in their sleep quality, when compared to the group who were not given it.
11. Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Thyme’s aroma has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which is very beneficial for respiratory health. Inhaling its relaxing fragrance can be useful during times of fatigue and its properties also make it perfect to alleviate coughs and chest congestion.
