TODAY -

To fight Covid-19 grow oxygen enriching beautiful plants at home

Dr Ps. Mariam Anal *



In the world, nine out of ten people breathe unhealthy air. Air pollution is now the biggest environmental risk for early death, premature deaths from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and respiratory diseases. In this pandemic time of Covid-19, it is important to increase the oxygen levels at home for the patient as well as for the other family members.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are breathlessness. A significant number of coronavirus patients have been found to experience shortness of breath and that's what makes the disease deadly. A lack of enough oxygen in your body can lead to fatal cardiovascular conditions that can further claim the life.

Again, because of the lock down by the Government to curtail the spread of coronavirus, many of the family members stay home or self quarantining at home in mild and moderate condition of corona sickness. Due to this new development the air quality in these enclosed spaces of the home is more polluted than ever.

Some of the house plants which can purify air and generate high oxygen level will be beneficial for maintaining good health of mankind during this period and boost the immune system to fight against the corona virus.

In times of covid-19 isolation and stress, plants actually make people happy and relieve the stress from disease giving hope to the people. Some of the important indoor and outdoor plants grown in the State which release oxygen efficiently are listed below:

1. Pothos/Money plant/Devil's ivy (Epipremnumaureum): It is the number one indoor plant for oxygen due to its fast conversion rate. It is able to show a 6.5% reduction in carbon dioxide, where it decreased the CO2 content from 454 PPM to 425 PPM, thereby increasing the oxygen levels. It can effectively remove airborne pollutants like carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene, etc. It is also a beautiful indoor plant for releasing oxygen at night. It is mostly used as an indoor plant for filtering air and also cure sleep disorders.

2. Peace lily or Cobra plant (Spathiphyllumwallisii) : It can lower the presence of carbon dioxide and helps in boosting the percentage of oxygen in a well-ventilated room by as much as 25%. The plant also earned a place in NASA clean air study due to its air-purifying abilities.

3. Areca palm/ golden palm/ butterfly palm/ yellow palm (Dypsislutescens) : It releases oxygen and increasing its level in the area where it is kept and also filters harmful pollutants like xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde. Keeping two large houseplants like areca palm in 100 square feet area can enhance oxygen levels in the surrounding. It is a great humidifier too.

4. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): It is also known as mother-in-law's tongue. It is one of the most oxygen producing indoor plants as it is able to absorb carbon dioxide at 0.49 ppm/m3 in the closed system. As Snake plant is a CAM plant, it also emits oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide at night, along with benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.

5. Tulsi/ Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum ): It is a spiritual foliage plant which has has several benefits. Tulsi plant inside the house increases the supply of oxygen as it gives out oxygen 20 hours a day. It also absorbs harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the air.

6. Weeping Fig/Ficus/Peepul (Ficus Benjamina) : The weeping fig is an air purifying plant which can effectively clean airborne xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Also, the plant can keep improving the quality of air surrounding you and provides oxygen even at night.

7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytumcomosum) : Although the spider plant is not very much producing oxygen, it is one of the best plants to reduce stress and increase productivity according to research. It can lower anxiety by 37%, depression by 58%, and fatigue by 38%. It is easily grows and is available easily.

8. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia sp.): Dumb Cane is effective in reducing the CO2 levels from 1,868 to 1,506 ppm within 24 hours, therefore, increasing the oxygen levels. The plant also cleans volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like acetone, benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene inside the home.

9. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): It is best known to remove toxins from the air like aldehydes and benzene. Unlike most plants, it releases the oxygen at night as well and is well suited for bedrooms and indoor environment. It is a medicinal plant used for different treatments.

10. Orchids: Orchids are a beautiful and useful choice to be placed in the bedroom. It also purifies the air as it removes Xylene a toxic element mostly present in paints of our furniture and walls and cleans our indoor environment.

11. Gerbera (Gerberajamesonii): It is a beautiful & colourful flower plant known for its ability to release oxygen at night. It is beneficial for people who are suffering from breathing and sleep disorder. These plants need sunlight for its flowering season.

12. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergeratruncata): It is also used to purify indoor air as it provides oxygen in the night too.

13. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.): Though it is not exactly known for its oxygen-producing capabilities, it is a great plant to clean the harmful VOCs off the air. NASA reported that it was able to remove 76,931 total micrograms of Benzene from the air in 24 hours. Due to more leaves, oxygen production is significantly higher than the other houseplants.

14. Neem (Azadirachta indica): The plant has many benefits and is known for its anti-bacterial properties. It is also used to purify the air and have a cure for various ailments. It also acts as a natural pesticide that is why it is advised to plant in the middle of the yard.

15. Bamboo plant (Bambusa sp.): The bamboo plant removes toluene from the air which is a colourless liquid with a pungent smell and has harmful effects like nose, eyes, & throat irritation. It also filters out harmful toxins from the atmosphere like benzene, & formaldehyde. Keeping a bamboo plant at home can increase oxygen levels tremendously.

All living beings including mankind require oxygen to stay alive and remain healthy. Home plants provide this oxygen to balance the ecosystem in the world. Lack of greenery can cause serious health hazards and can pollute our surroundings on a large scale. We should plant more to contribute their part in the refinement of home environment particularly to combat Covid-19 pandemic for a better future generation.

"Grow more Oxygen giver plants to save life!"


For further details, please contact Public Relations and Media Management (PRMM)Cell, CAU Imphal, by email to PRMM(AT)cau(DOT)ac(DOT)in


* Dr Ps. Mariam Anal wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal
This article was webcasted on May 17 2021.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • 'Ensure Tamei board exams centre operates'
  • Farce of a reason for PR
  • Draft plan for employment generation #1
  • Loingambi, Mingyashin, Chingri : eMing
  • World Radio Day at Rongdai
  • Focus on present challenges for bright future
  • Ed Sheeran brings India Tour to Shillong
  • Beauty tips for Valentine's Day
  • President's Rule has come !
  • No takers for the hot seat!
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet