Aloe Vera is a small herb that stays evergreen in all seasons.
It is a type of plant that can tolerate drought conditions.
It has thick and succulent leaves, which contain a gel-like substance and also juice.
It has been used for many years for its amazing health benefits to man.
Aloe Vera gel finds its use especially for skin, face, stomach, and other organs.
It’s juice and gel or mild, gentle on the skin, and non-toxic for internal consumption.
Aloe Vera Health Benefits
For gut health
For digestion
Aloe vera improves digestion.
Constipation
It has purgative properties, i.e., it can irritate the gut and enhance bowel evacuation. Hence, it can be used in the treatment of constipation. However, it has to be used in lower doses to prevent gripping pain in the gut.
For women health
Aloe is good for treating menstruation problems. It can restore normal menstruation if disrupted.
Aloe in high doses can cause an artificial abortion. So it can be used to induce abortion.
As per complementary and alternative medicine for cancer (CAM), it is contra-indicated to consume orally by pregnant women due to fear of abortion.
For skin
3. Aloctine is one of the constituents of aloe juice. This can remove dead tissue by stimulating the process of phagocytosis. The process of phagocytosis occurs due to macrophages (white blood cells) in the body. They roam freely in the blood and eat up any dead tissue or foreign particles. This aloctine is believed to enhance the formation of macrophages and, thereby, phagocytosis.
4. It possesses various antibacterial and anti-fungal chemical entities. These can potentially delay and inhibit the growth of such microorganisms.
5. It is a good natural food preservative as it can prevent microbial growth. One can avoid the use of harmful synthetic preservatives. Hence, it is used to preserve some fruits like oranges and grapes that quickly get rotten or deteriorate.
6. It is a good nutraceutical and can be used for stomach ailments, enhancing immunity, cough and cold, asthma, kidney protection, cleansing of toxins from intestines and skin, and preventing hair loss.
7. Due to a high level of moisture content and less/slow-drying properties, it is extensively incorporated in cosmetic products to serve as a hydrating or moisturizing ingredient in liquid or creams, sun lotions, shaving creams, lip guards, face packs, healing ointments, and various protective creams.
8. It is also used as an ingredient in preparing phytomedicines as an adjuvant and used to treat various skin disorders like eczema, cracks on soles, abrasions, frostbite, insect bites, superficial burns or sunburns, and also for rashes in babies.
9. Further, aloe is found to be effective in diabetes. As per Cancer Research UK, it is also effective in the treatment of cancer.
Uses for face
Aloe gel is protective of the face due to its anti-wrinkle, soothing, protectant, and cleansing properties. It can avoid damage to the skin from harsh sunburns, thermal burns, radiation burns, and skin irritation.
It helps minimize the chances of skin ulceration and malignancy.
It is also said to prevent microbial growth and may help reduce acne. Due to moisturizing properties, it can prevent dryness of the skin on the face. Skin products like aloe vera soap, cleansers, and moisturizers have aloe vera in their composition to provide the above qualities to facial skin.
Uses for hair
Hair damage or loss occurs mostly due to uncleanliness and microbial infections. Aloe vera has properties like cleansing and anti-microbial, which help clean the hair and reduce dandruff, thereby controlling hair fall.
Besides, it also acts as a hair tonic and so it also promotes healthy hair growth.
Hence, we can notice many hair shampoos and conditioners containing aloe vera as one of the ingredients.
Aloe vera side effects
As discussed before, aloe can be used to treat constipation. However, using alone can cause gripping and pain in the intestines. So, it should be combined with carminatives or antispasmodics.
Further, it should not be used in pregnant women for constipation as it can cause unwanted abortions.
How to make aloe vera juice
Aloe juice is obtained by the spontaneous flow of liquid content from succulent leaves of aloe on the incision. The gel is obtained by carefully eliminating the upper layers of the leaf. But if you are interested in making juice for consumption, refer to How to Make Aloe Vera Juice. It consists of water, amino acids, carbohydrates, and, to a small extent, fat, all of which are easily digestible by the body.