Book excerpt: Plant Therapy showcases the theory behind the recent surge in the ‘self-care’ approach to living with plants, no matter what your environment. We all know that being in or surrounded by nature is good for our health, but few of us take the time to understand why. As urbanization swallows up ecosystems, and humans move away from the environments they’ve adapted to, it has never been more important to understand the relationship between plants and people. Broken down into five chapters: The Human-Nature Relationship, Plants and Health, Plants and People, Living with Plants and an informative Plant Directory, the book first explains how we have come to exist in an environment that is at odds with our mental, emotional and physical needs, then explores how we can readjust this balance, before showcasing plants that help us to breathe, restore balance, and boost our wellbeing. A stylish yet practical book, Plant Therapy brings together two major trends – house plants and wellbeing – and enhances the value of both through making clear their connection with one another. When research has shown that the presence of plants can decrease blood pressure, increase productivity, and calm anxiety, both at home and at work, why wouldn’t you pick up this book and create your own calming oasis?