By Sue Kruger
The aloe vera plant is from the cactus family and has been used for its medicinal effects for thousands of years. The plant is green, and the leaves have thorny edges, but the gooey inside is a treasure trove of healing. Different parts of the aloe vera plantcan be used. The most used part is the gel-like inside that contains very strong active compounds which makes it effective for healing. This gel-like aloe vera substance contains water, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and more than 200 active plant compounds. Aloe vera is also very high in antioxidants.
With all these amazing natural ingredients, it is easy to see why aloe vera is such a popular and fantastic healing agent. Aloe is effective in the healing and treatment of many conditions, but there are still many studies that have to be done to prove its efficiency and safety in some instances. Here are a few ways in which aloe can help with healing.
1. Skincare
Beauty- Aloe vera is a very popular ingredient in many skin careproducts from face wash to lotion to ointments. Aloe has a strong connotation to beauty and is used in many skincare lines. Why is it so popular? Aloe is very good for keeping skin hydrated and also has softening and smoothing effects.
Sunburn- Aloe has also been very successfully used for the treatment of sunburn. Its cooling and calming effects help to soothe the skin and ‘draw out’ the worst of the sting.
Acne- Aloe can be effective in the treatment of acneand the reduction of the resulting scars.
Ageing– All prominent skincare brands want to eliminate the signs of ageing. Aloe vera can help to improve the elasticity of the skin that reduces as we get older. When our skin loses elasticity, it causes wrinkles. Skin products that contain aloe vera can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In the same vein, aloe can also help with the treatment of stretch marks. Stretch marks appear due to a change in the elasticity of the skin.
2. Medical conditions
Diabetes– Some studies have shown that aloe vera can help to lower the blood sugar levelsin people with diabetes. Aloe can help with managing diabetes by taking a teaspoon of aloe vera gel every day. Some products contain the already extracted active ingredients and make the gel safe for ingestion.
Intestinal problems– The results for healing effects for intestinal problemsare not conclusive. However, aloe vera has been shown to help relieve certain problems like indigestion and heartburn. Flux-Ois an over-the-counter medication that contains aloe vera to help soothe heartburn and indigestion.
Dental– Aloe vera is used in toothpaste and other dentalproducts. It helps to battle plaque without all the added chemicals.
3. Antioxidants
Aloe verais very high in antioxidants which makes it a wonderful ingredient with many benefits. Antioxidantsare believed to help protect the body against free radicals and ageing. Antioxidants are found in certain foods and some are found naturally in the body. Foods, and products like aloe vera, that are high in antioxidants can help prevent cell damage and keep the body healthy.
Safety Concerns
There are still some dangersto using aloe vera. Aloe vera gel is the safe part of the plant that is used in different products and can be ingested in controlled amounts for health benefits. The aloe latex, however, is not safe to ingest and can cause kidney and other intestinal problems. Using aloe vera in skin products should be safe. If you decide to take aloe vera orally, consult your doctor to make sure that you are not doing damage instead of healing. Some people may be allergic to aloe vera and might get a rash or hives when they use it on their skin. If this happens, see your doctor and avoid the use of aloe products.
Clearly, aloe vera has many benefits and if you are not allergic to it, it seems to be a must for everyone to have aloe in some form in their daily health and beautyroutine. You can buy ready-mixed products, or you can even harvest the gel yourself. Whatever you choose, making use of aloe vera for your skin and health, is a very good idea.
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