Aloe vera is used traditionally in Indian medicine against many health issues like constipation, skin diseases, worm infestation, infections and as a natural remedy for colic. It is also used In Chinese medicine, recommended in the treatment against fungal diseases, and it has found widespread use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries in the western world. Now a days, the extracting of aloe vera gel is one of the largest botanical industries in the world.
Benefits of Aleo vera
Aloe vera has been producing two stuffs which are used for medicine: first one is the gel, which has been taken from the cells in the center of the leaf, and the latex get from the cells just beneath the leaf skin.
Mostly people use aloe gel as a medication for skin conditions, like burns, sunburn, frostbite, psoriasis and cold sores, but there are many other aloe vera benefits. Aloe gel is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, bowel diseases, fever, itching and inflammation.
It’s also used naturally in the restorative for asthma, stomach ulcers, diabetes and for mollify side effects of radiation treatment. Its latex is used naturally as remedy for depression, constipation, asthma and diabetes.
Aloe Vera Nutrition Facts
There are approximately 420 species of the genus Aloe; and aloe vera is one of them. the botanical name of aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller, and it belongs to family Liliaceae. It’s a plant with nonwoody growth shrub perennial, xerophytic living in dry environment, succulent plant that’s green and has triangular, fleshy leaves with zigzag edges. It is believed that The geographic origin of aloe vera is in Sudan, but later it was found in the Mediterranean region and most other warm climate areas of the world, including Africa, Asia, India, Europe and America.
Aloe gel is the clear, jelly-like substance. Aloe latex is yellow in color. Some of the products are manufactured by crushing of whole leaf, so they carry both gel and latex.
Aloe vera carries many vitamins and minerals important for proper growth and function of all the body’s systems. Here’s a quick flash on aloe vera’s active components:
- Aloe vera carries many vitamins A, C and E — and vitamin B12, folic acid and choline.
- It also accommodates many enzymes, comprising aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase and peroxidase.
- Many essential minerals such as calcium, copper, selenium, chromium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc are also found in aloe vera.
- It also carries many anthraquinones — or components known as laxatives. Among these are aloin and emodin, are important, which act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
- Four fatty acids are also found in it, comprising cholesterol, campesterol, beta-sisosterol and lupeol — all giving anti-inflammatory results.
- The are many hormones like auxins and gibberellins are present in it; they help in healing wounds and have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
- Aloe vera gives sugars, such as monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides.
Health Proven Aloe Vera Benefits
1. Soothes Rashes and Skin Irritations
It helps in improvement of skin conditions and wound healing administration, comprising the treatment of psoriasis, dermatitis, oral mucositis, surgical wounds and as a home medication for burn injuries. It was first study surprisingly in 1935! Aloe vera extract was reported to give quick relief from the itching and burning related with extreme radiation dermatitis and skin regeneration.
In 1996, the Department of Clinical Physiology in Sweden treated 60 patients with aloe vera or placebo cream. The result in the aloe vera group was 83 percent compared to only 7 percent in the placebo groups. In 2009, a standard review summarized 40 studies, involved using aloe vera for dermatological purposes. The results show that aloe vera is effective to heal wounds, can reduce the number and size of papillomas (small growths on the skin), and decrease the incidence of tumors by more than 90 percent in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. aloe vera is very helpful in treating genital herpes, psoriasis, dermatitis, frostbite, burns and inflammation. It is also used safely as an antifungal and antimicrobial agent.
2. Treats Burns
Aloe vera gel has a preventive effect against radiation which damage to the skin. In 1959, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of aloe vera as medication for healing burns on the skin. When aloe vera gel is applied on burns, it protects from UV-induced suppression so the area can be healing occurs very fast.
3. Heals Cold Sores
Aloe vera gel is used on a cold sore a few times a day, it relieves the discomfort and speed up the healing processes. Consuming it by mouth is also safe, no need to worry about swallowing it. Aloe vera has antiviral and anti-inflammatory abilities that boost up healing and decrease pain due to cold sores — or any sores on the mouth.
The amino acids and vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin C of aleovera are also very important e.g; vitamin B6 acts as a natural pain treatment and boosting our immune system.
4. Moisturizes Hair and Scalp
Aloe vera helps in the medication for dry hair or an itchy scalp because of having nourishing properties, and alot of vitamins and minerals, keep your hair strong and healthy due to it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties, helps with dandruff, and the gel’s enzymes can rid the scalp of dead cells and increase the regeneration of skin tissue around the hair follicles. It helps to stop the itching associated with dandruff or a dried scalp. shampoos and conditioners carry chemicals that may damage hair and can even cause inflammation and skin irritations; adding aloe vera is an impressive way to maintain your scalp free of bacteria and uncomfortable skin reactions.
5. Treats Constipation
Aloe latex as a laxative is very useful; the anthraquinones found in the latex boosts intestinal water content, enhance mucus secretion and helps in intestinal peristalsis.
6. Helps with Digestion
It helps in digestion Because of its anti-inflammatory and laxative components, which normalizes acid/alkaline and pH balance, decreasing yeast formation, supporting digestive bacteria and regularizes bowel processing.
the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences report found that 30 milliliters of aloe vera juice twice a day decline the level of discomfort in 33 patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Flatulence also reduced for the participants, but stool consistence, urgency and frequency remained the same. Another study from the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine tested aloe vera on a group of rats with gastrointestinal problems. The gastric acid levels were significantly decreased in rats treated with aloe vera. Aloe vera is also used to soothe and heal stomach ulcers because of its antibacterial agents and natural healing properties that can restore the stomach lining back to health.
7. Boosts the Immune System
The enzymes present in aloe vera enables the cells to function properly. The bradykinase present in aloe vera enhance the immune system and kills infections. Zinc present in aloe vera is a great source to reduce zinc deficiency, as it’s essential to maintain immune function. Zinc is a structural component of hormone receptors and proteins that contribute to healthy, balanced mood and immune function. It also helps us ward off diseases, kill bacteria and protect the function of our cell membranes.
Aleo vera also uses in dentistry; because of it has proved to be 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.
8. Provides Antioxidants and Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is at the root of most diseases. Aloe vera carries a huge number of vitamins and minerals, reduce inflammation and fight free radical damage.
Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision, neurological function and healthy skin. Vitamin C, protects the body from cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and even skin wrinkling. Vitamin E being a powerful antioxidant that decreases free radical damage, fights inflammation and helps naturally slow the aging of cells.
Aloe vera may naturally use in treating acne and eczema helps the healing process in the skin. Bradykinase, reduces excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically.
9. Treats Diabetes
Aloe vera has capacity to alleviate the chronic hyperglycemia and perturbed lipid profile that are common among people having diabetes and are major risk factors for cardiovascular complications. This add natural diabetes cure to the list of aloe vera benefits.
Aloe Vera History & Interesting Facts
In 1820 Aloe vera was officially listed as a purgative and skin protectant by the U.S. pharmacopoeia and was clinically used in the 1930s for the treatment of radiotherapy burns to the skin and mucous membranes. In 2004, the aloe vera industry was estimated to be $125 million for the cost of the raw aloe material, and $110 billion for finished aloe-containing products.
Today, cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from aloe vera to products, such as makeup, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, shampoos, tissues and moisturizers. Commercially, aloe vera is used as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages and desserts. Extracts of aloe vera are used as a fresh food preservative and for water conservation in small farms.
Recommended aloe vera doses
There are following recommended aloe vera doses;
- For wound healing, psoriasis and other skin infections, use 0.5 percent aloe extract cream three times daily.
- For dental plaque and gum disease, use a toothpaste that contains aloe vera for 24 weeks, or add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel homemade Mineralizing Toothpaste.
- For high cholesterol, take one capsule of aloe vera containing 300 milligrams twice daily for two months.
- For inflammatory bowel disease, take 100 milliliters twice daily for four weeks.
- For skin burns, use a 97.5 percent aloe gel on the burn until it’s healed.
- For dry scalp or dandruff, add a teaspoon of aloe gel to homemade honey Citrus Shampoo.
- To protect your skin from infection and bacteria, add a teaspoon of aloe gel to my homemade Body Butter Lotion.
