Health Benefits of Aloe Vera and its products

As a plant for the skin, health benefits of aloe vera plant are seen in its capabilities to invigorate, soothe the skin and also heal wounds. Aloe vera plant is one in the group of xeroid plants. These set of plants close their leaves stomas after a cut or wound in them. This is done in order to avoid loss of moisture.

Did you know that aloe vera gel is a natural lubricant which doesn’t contain any sort of oil capable of breaking down condom’s efficacy? According to zeenews.india, aloe vera detoxifies your body, making it to have a secondary effect that promote weight loss.

Let’s take a look at the nature of this plant that offers so many health benefits.

Aloe vera plant belongs to the Liliaceae family, which grows up to 4 to 5 meters high, via its central axis or stem growth. The leaves are spiked lanceolated and fleshy, with yellow and red flowers depending on it variety. The flowers hang from a stem that is somewhat large. The most important part of this plant to use is the juice of the leaves.

Throughout the history, aloe vera plant has been used to treat wounds and records have it that Roman emperors, warriors and Greek soldiers have been treated with aloe vera plant.

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Properties and some indications of Aloe Vera Health Benefits

There are two main products which can be obtained from the fleshy leaves of aloe vera plant. They include the following:

• Bitter Aloe vera
• Aloe vera gel

Bitter Aloe Vera

A yellow juice quite viscous with bitter flavor normally flows out any time the surface of the aloe vera leaves are being cut open, regardless of the species. Under the sunlight or through evaporation, there’s formation of a shapeless mass of brown color or dark brown which has bitter flavor. This substance is called bitter aloes.

There are diverse applications of the bitter aloes based on the daily dose. This following also show the health benefits of aloe vera plant.

1. About 0.1 gram of aloe vera plant has appetizer, cholagogue and stomachic effects or properties which facilitate digestion.
2. Another health benefit of aloe vera plant here is that from 0.1 gram also has a laxative and emmenagogue effect (i. e. helps in increasing menstrual flowing)
3. 0.5 gram dose of bitter aloe which is the maximum per day has strong oxytocic and purgative properties. In essence, it provokes uterine contractions.

Aloe Vera gel or juice

The gel or juice is obtained from the fleshy leaves of the aloe vera plant which has sticky juice that’s almost transparent and without flavor.

Looking at the health benefits of aloe vera plant, the aloe vera gel or juice is the reason for the fame of aloe vera plant.  This is because of its healing properties and one of the outstanding health benefits of aloe vera plant is the immune-stimulating substance it contains which is known as acemanan.

This substance helps in increasing defenses; however, it does not have laxative properties.

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Beneficial Effects of Aloe Vera Plant

Health benefits of aloe vera plant are also seen in the following local applications.

Aloe Vera fights acne

Aloe Vera plant holds salicylic acid which unclogs skin pores. It is an acid which is an exfoliating ingredient. The salicylic acid in aloe vera plant helps in keeping the skin moisturized. Aloe Vera plant is a natural remedy that has so many results which are quite positive for many people. The care it gives to the skin is one of the health benefits we keep hammering on.

Provides soothing to a sunburn

Aloe Vera plant offers pain-relieving and also anti-inflammatory effects that can soothe sunburn. It also contains sugars which also facilitates collagen synthesis thereby providing wound healing.

Burns

As compresses, the aloe vera gel or juice can be administered two days after the burn incidence. However, two (2) or three (3) days of treatment will suffice for first degree burns but if the case seems severe, you would have to see a doctor.

Aloe Vera gel also offers other health benefits like accelerating skin regeneration especially in the burn area. It also reduces scarring to a minimum.

Wounds

Aloe Vera juice should be applied as compresses on the wound whether infected or cleaned; however, the aloe vera can be administered directly on the wound. Aloe Vera juice helps in cleaning the wound and also fosters its regeneration thereby minimizing the scar.

Skin Beauty

Aloe keeps giving us many more health benefits. Here, it revitalizes the skin, making it more radiant, and giving the smoothness, endurance and beauty. Aloe Vera gel helps in the improvement of the appearance of the cracks and scars on the skin.

We can also apply aloe vera gel on the nail and for hair care.

Skin Affliction

When aloe vera juice is applied from lotion, it provides good effect on psoriasis and skin eczema and acne too. It also has favorable effects on athlete’s foot, herpes and other various fungal infections. Therefore, to maximize the effects of Aloe vera juice, it is recommended you consume it orally.

Aloe vera juice has depurative and invigorating effects. The juice is also used in treating gastro-duodenal ulcer, as well as a digestive.

In aloe juice, acemanan which is contained in aloe vera juice is stimulant which helps in stimulating the defenses of the body. If used internally, it promotes the activation of the lymphocytes which is capable of destroying cancer cells and also those that have been infected by the AIDS virus.

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Preparation and Use of Aloe Vera plant

Internal use

1. Aloe Vera gel or juice: You should take about 1 to 2 spoonful, three times daily. It could be dissolved into water, juice, fruit or milk.
2. Bitter aloes: Pharmaceutically made, it is taken as pills. For laxative or purgative substance, the bitter aloes works slowly. For this, it is recommended to administer bitter aloes at night so as to get efficient result the next day.

External Use

1. Lotion: Lotion with aloe juice can be applied three times daily especially on the affected area of the skin. You can combine the use with olive oil which is quite emollient.
2. Ointments and Creams: Most pharmaceutical preparations that are aloe based include radiating or emollient substances.
3. As compresses: You may keep them all through the day and when they get dry, soak them with juice. You can add olive oil or some other hydrating cream at night since juice dries the skin.

Caution

Pregnant women should not make use of bitter aloes as well as during menstruation because it causes congestion of the pelvic organs and uterine contractions too.

Aloe Vera gel or juice can promote allergic reactions especially when it is applied on the skin.

The dose of 0.5 grams on a daily should not be exceeded.

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