Aloe Vera is one of the best-known plants that is most widely used in consumer products, both for external and internal use, because of its recognized beneficial properties.
The use of this plant has a long tradition in many parts of the world, given its many benefits observed over the years, initially confirmed only by experience but today also by a range of scientific research.
Both gel (for external use) and juice (for internal use) are used from its leaves and the plant can be easily grown at home. The gel is particularly effective in the topical treatment of burns, abrasions, psoriasis and other skin diseases, while the juice is used primarily as an immunomodulatory, detoxifying and for gastrointestinal problems.
Over time it has become clear that aloe , an active ingredient naturally present in the plant, especially when frequently consumed, can irritate the intestinal mucosa with a serious laxative effect. That is why all (or most) of the aloe-based products currently on the market for internal use should undergo treatments for the withdrawal of this substance.
Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel
The aloe vera gel for topical use can be placed on the skin having been removed directly from the plant (using a sharp, preferably flexible knife, removing the bark from the leaf and all its yellow part just below the bark, to collect its inner part, which is the “slug” part, the gel of the plant).
Its use is very versatile and can be useful in many situations.
Applications of Aloe Vera gel
green circle Natural anti-wrinkle (the gel is incredibly moisturizing and can be put directly on the skin of the face and neck, letting it act until dry or for as long as you want. I personally put it and forget it until I put it to bed). The gel is so impressively effective, they say that the slug was the beauty secret used by Cleopatra in ancient Egypt.
- Dandruff: put the gel on the scalp, massaged it before washing it normally.
- Sunburn: for its moisturizing effect, after exaggerating in the sun, the best remedy is the aloe vera gel, refreshing and moisturizing.
- For the same reasons, the gel can be applied to other types of burns.
- For dry skin from the cold: hands, face, legs, arms etc.
- As a natural moisturizer for the body (besides the face).
- To take care of the hair independently of the dandruff .
- To relieve skin irritation, after waxing or waxing.
- To relieve skin blemishes caused by the sun, make masks frequently using slug gel.
- For faster healing and to avoid scar marks.
- For insect bites, for mosquitoes the relief from itching is immediate.
- For muscle pains because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
- By the same principles, the gel can be applied on inflamed gums and other internal inflammations in the mouth also to heal pimples and acne of the face.
- For a headache, try using aloe vera gel with a drop of mint essential oil by applying it to the temporaries and the neck with circular motions.
Applications of aloe vera juice
Let’s see what happens if you take aloe vera juice and for which situations is usually indicated. Before, however, let us make clear what this plant contains so valuable, so as to make it special and appreciated all over the world. One of its most interesting active ingredients is acemannan , a naturally occurring mucopolysaccharide that has been shown to have a protective effect on the gastric and intestinal mucosae.
Gastrointestinal Tract
In an interesting study , conducted in the UK in 2004, researchers gave a group of people with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, aloe vera juice to drink twice a day. After only four weeks there was an improvement in the condition of the participants who drank the aloe vera juice , compared to the control group who had taken only pure water.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, mainly due to the mucopolysaccharides contained in the plant, aloe is also used for very common problems such as colitis, gastritis and other types of inflammation.
Immune system
It has also been shown that acemannan has immunostimulatory properties, as it stimulates the activity of macrophages , protecting the body against viruses and bacteria. This is one of the main reasons why you drink juice of aloe , to stimulate the body’s natural defenses in the periods when they are most needed: autumn, winter or during stressful periods of physical and mental tests.
Antibacterial and antiviral properties
Some research has shown that aloe extracts are capable of acting against some types of bacteria, viruses or fungi, including Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Juice assumption can, therefore, help in cases where there are infections of this type helping the immune system, but also acting specifically.
Antioxidant and detoxifying properties
The plant contains 12 vitamins, 15 enzymes, 18 amino acids, 20 minerals, 75 nutrients and more than 150 active principles. It is also considered excellent for its detoxifying and antioxidant actions, able to fight free radicals that contribute to the aging of the cells of our body.
That is why when taking aloe juice frequently, one begins to notice the improvement in the skin, hair, and nails.
The list is certainly not exhaustive. There are many substances that make this plant a treasure yet to be discovered. Recently, among other things, scientific research focusing in particular on its anticancer potential, but in this case seems to be more effective the species Aloe arborescens, a variant of aloe.
Important
Before eating aloe vera you must cut its one and keep it verticle for at least 20 minutes so that the yellow chemical in it gets eliminated.If you don’t do this process then it may cause acidity or stomach discomfort.
