The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us (£14.99, Michael O’Mara Books) tells me, “Bringing nature finds indoors triggers several biochemical and neurological pathways in our minds that result in improved mental health.
Simply seeing the green of the leaves and the fractal patterns made by leaf veins, pine cones and seedheads induces relaxation.
Plant material emits plant oils called phytoncides, which we may not be able to detect, but inhaling these oils decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure.
Read more on telegraph.co.uk