Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years. Aloe vera –The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits contain numerous seeds.
Aloe vera gel contains 99% water, glucomannans, amino acid, lipids, sterols, and vitamins. Now a day’s one of the most important uses of Aloe vera is in the industry of cosmetics. Each year the value of Aloe vera is around $13 billion in the market.
Botanical Name: Aloebarbadensis miller
Aloe vera appeared first in Sudan over 6000 years ago. Aloe vera obtains from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “Shining Bitter Substance”, while “vera’’ in Latin means “True”. Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality”.
Warm and dry climates are more suitable for the cultivation of this plant so it’s a vast appearance in India, Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.
Aloe vera two important varieties first are green and second is blue but therapeutic benefits and effects almost the same.
More than 400 species of Aloe vera like Aloe Arborescens, Aloe Ferox, Aloe Striata, etc.
Health Benefits
Skin health & care
Aloe vera gel stimulates the production of collagen and foster skin elasticity, so it has anti-aging quality. It is a great contributor to reducing the appearance of aging signs; such wrinkles also provide moisture and nutrients to the skin to stay healthy, smooth and glow.
Aloe vera contains the most important ingredient that has been reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin and also helping to quicken the recovery from burns and provide rapid relief from the itching and burning associated with severe radiation dermatitis and skin regeneration.
Aloe vera effectively treats genital herpes, psoriasis, dermatitis, frostbite, burns, and inflammation and also safely used as an antifungal and antimicrobial agent.
MAIN THING: Aloe vera keeps skin healthy and used to fight against aging.
Immunity booster
Aloe vera has a high amount of antioxidants so it strengthens your immune system and these antioxidants powerfully fight against free radicals that are hazardous to our immune system.
Aloe vera has proved to be an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal plant and it’s very good in building up the immune system without causing allergic reactions or side effects.
MAIN THING
: Aloe vera juices possess natural detoxifying properties that boost the immune system.
Hair care
Proteolytic enzymes are found in Aloe vera and anti-inflammatory properties which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It has nourishing properties and lots of vitamins and minerals that keep your hair strong and healthy.
It has antibacterial and antifungal properties so it also helps in the problem of dandruff and promotes the regeneration of skin tissue around the hair follicles. It also acts as a good conditioner and leaves your hair all smooth and shiny.
Keratin, the primary protein of hair, consists of amino acids, oxygen, carbon, and small amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Aloe vera has a chemical makeup similar to that of keratin and it rejuvenates the hair with its own nutrients, giving it more elasticity and detaining breakage.
MAIN THING: Aloe vera helps to prevent dandruff, hair loss and act as a conditioner for hair and make hair long and strong.
Healthy digestion
Aloe vera is a natural constipation relief remedy because of its anti-inflammatory and laxative components that help in digestion by normalizes acid/alkaline and pH balance.
Aloe vera regularizes bowel movement and encourages digestive bacteria. It is also helpful for the patient of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colon polyp, cancer of the bowel.
Also beneficial for peptic ulcer because it has antibacterial agents and natural healing properties that can restore the stomach lining back to health.
MAIN THING: Not just the juice, even the latex of the aloe vera plant can help cure constipation and improve your digestibility.
Diabetes
One compound found in aloe vera called Aloe-emodin glycosides, which regulating the blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.
In a study type 2 diabetic patients, aloe gel capsule supplementation helped control diabetes.
In human cells, an aloe vera compound (aloe-emodin glycosides) increased glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis. This reduces glucose levels and helps stop insulin resistance.
MAIN THING: Aloe vera juice intake can help in the maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels.
Helps during menstruation
Aloe vera helps in reducing the pain and also regulates your flow effectively and stimulant of the uterus. Therefore Aloe vera juice helps during the menstruation days to get relief and also remedy for white discharge.
Aloe gel mixed with jaggery every morning on an empty stomach a week before the expected date helps in late or irregular periods and Also with honey helps in painful periods.
MAIN THING: Aloe vera reduces pain and promotes menstruation
Prevent dental problems
Aloe vera has antibacterial properties help in cavities, tooth decay, gum related disorders and also prevents the accumulation of plaque on teeth which is the main root for many dental problems.
Using an Aloe vera rinse can stop bleeding from gums and even fight early signs of periodontal disease.
The aloe vera powder will soothe your gums and cure any kind of infection or bruises
MAIN THING: Aloe vera juice reducing dental plaque formation and keep gums healthy.
Control cholesterol
Aloe vera is a good source of antioxidants, they effectively lower cholesterol and total triglyceride content.
One study shows that life-long dietary aloe supplementation suppresses free radical-induced oxidative damage and age-related increases in hepatic cholesterol.
MAIN THING
: Aloe vera juice may be helpful in lowering blood lipid levels, which in turn may help regulate cholesterol levels.
Weight loss
Aloe vera contains ample amounts of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids, enzymes, and sterols, can improve the effectiveness of your diet and maximize your weight-loss potential and also improves the body's absorption and utilization, improving overall health.
One study shows the ingestion of aloe vera can prevent diet-induced obesity.
MAIN THING: Regular intake of aloe vera juice helps in weight loss.
Rare uses
Aloe vera helps in reducing arthritic pain, improving cardiovascular function.
Aloe vera is also used in preparing homeopathic medicine which cures chronic hemorrhoids and another GIT disease.
Safety Profile
Topical
Allergic reactions are mostly due to anthraquinones, which is present in Aloe vera so, causes redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Oral
Prolonged use of Aloe vera causes colorectal cancer and also electrolyte imbalances because of diarrhea.
Abdominal cramps, red urine, hepatitis, acute kidney failure, low potassium, muscle weakness, heart disturbance, etc.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy because it stimulates uterine contraction.
In breastfeeding mothers, it may sometimes cause gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant.
Interactions
Aloe vera can interact with medicines and supplements like diabetes drugs, heart drugs, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root.
Its oral use may also block the absorption of medicines taken at the same time that way ask your doctor before use.
Select and Storage
Selection
It is best to pick aloe from mature plants, those planted in the ground. Choose a thick and smooth large leaf, and use a clean, sharp knife to cut it as close to the trunk as possible.
Storage
Cut the leaf of Aloe vera along both sides; at the tip and along the spines. Soak it in water for 24 hours, changing the water twice.
This process helps remove the yellow resin, known as aloin, which can be toxic and irritating to the skin. Now extract the gel with the help of a spoon.
We can add some lemon juice to keeping fresh for longer.
Drlogy
