10 Amazing Health benefits of using Aloe Vera

Often overlooked and taken for granted, Aloe Vera is one of the world’s most amazing natural remedies with uses that many of us are not even aware of. In today’s world of pharmaceuticals and medicine, it is good to sometimes go back to basics and think about the natural products we have around us and which have been used for thousands of years to help the human race. Aloe Vera is one such resource so here is a list of amazing benefits:

#1: Immune System Strengthening

Aloe Vera is very rich antioxidants which naturally enhance your immune system and help combat free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable compounds that are detrimental to health and can contribute to speeding up of the aging process. By drinking Aloe Vera juice regularly, your body builds a regular supply of antioxidants, which can boost and enhance the immune system.⁽¹⁾

#2: Enhance Healthy Skin

Aloe Vera is an amazing natural herb when it comes to skin care and is consequently commonly used in skin care products. It has the ability to soothe the skin, hydrate it, nourish it and accelerate the regeneration of new skin tissue. Regular application of fresh Aloe Vera gel on your face and body will help you maintain a well moisturized, glowing and flawless skin.

Additionally, Aloe Vera is very useful for treating sunburn, blisters, insect bites, allergic reactions, minor burns, inflammations and lots more and can even be used on sensitive skin without irritation.

#3: Regulate Your Weight and Energy Levels

Aloe Vera juice provides natural cleansing of the digestive system and there are many food substances that can cause fatigue and exhaustion which can be combated by drinking Aloe Vera juice. In addition to cleansing the digestive system, regular consumption of Aloe Vera juice can also help increase your energy level and also help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

#4: Prevent Gum Disease

Due to its natural antiseptic and anti-microbial properties, Aloe Vera can be used successfully to help keep your mouth and gums in good condition. As it also contains vitamins and minerals that promote cell growth and healing of bleeding gums and mouth ulcers, Aloe Vera is a very useful and effective oral treatment.⁽²⁾

If you are suffering from gum disease or just infection, simply massage your gums with fresh Aloe Vera gel. Additionally, you can also sprinkle some Aloe Vera powder on your toothbrush before brushing which will help your gums improve within just a few minutes. Drinking Aloe Vera juice regularly as mentioned earlier in this article can also help promote strong and healthy teeth.

#5: Stop Constipation

As mentioned earlier, Aloe Vera juice provides natural cleansing of the digestive system due to its natural fiber. This same fiber improves bowel movements and, being a natural laxative, can also be used to treat constipation.

If needed, drink two ounces of Aloe Vera juice daily and after about 10 hours, symptoms of constipation should improve and disappear.

#6: Reduce Inflammation and Joint Swelling

Aloe Vera can be used externally to ease inflammation of joints and reduce arthritis pain. Drinking Aloe Vera juice will reduce inflammation throughout the body and people who drink Aloe Vera juice for two weeks usually begin to experience a significant reduction of inflammation and pain symptoms.

Aloe Vera is also considered a good solution for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

#7: Acne Treatment

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Aloe Vera gel is excellent for treating a number of different skin conditions including acne and is used in various different skin care products.

When the sebaceous glands become over active and produce more oil, this combines with dead skin, dirt and bacteria to block the skin pores, causing inflammation and leading to acne, which Aloe Vera can help reduce.

Apply Aloe Vera gel to skin twice daily to help get rid of acne and pimples and also use Aloe Vera skin care products to treat the scars and redness associated with acne. This is again due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

#8: Healthy Hair Treatment

In addition to being a natural antiseptic with healing properties, Aloe Vera also has emollient and moisturizing properties, which help keep hair smooth and shiny and even helps maintain the pH balance of the hair. Furthermore, its rich nutritional profile promotes hair growth, prevents breakage, reduces scalp itching, and helps treat dandruff.

To create your own hair treatment, follow this simple recipe:

• Cut 2 Aloe Vera leaves and extract the gel with a spoon.
• Add the juice of half a lemon and blend the ingredients in a blender.
• Apply this mask on damp hair using your fingers, starting from scalp till the hair ends.
• Wrap your hair in a warm towel for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Finally, wash your hair with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo.

Use this hair mask once a week or every fortnight.

#9: Helps Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Regular consumption of Aloe Vera juice has been seen to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It does this by stabilizing blood sugar level and reducing triglycerides. Drinking Aloe Vera juice regularly for three months should show a significant drop in fasting blood sugar levels.

Aloe Vera supplements are used to treat peripheral neuropathy (hands and feet going numb) which is associated with diabetes.

#10: Helps Lower High Cholesterol

A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology suggests that regular intake of Aloe Vera supplements can help lower liver production of cholesterol by about 30 percent.⁽³⁾ Consult your doctor for the proper dosage of Aloe Vera supplements for your specific cholesterol condition.

To summarize, as you have probably already realized, due to the medicinal potential of Aloe Vera, this is an essential herb to have in your kitchen garden. This amazing plant can help so many aspects of health and well-being, that by regular application and consumption, a preventative health strategy reduces greatly the risks of many diseases and illnesses.

References:

(1)  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21506934
(2) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200013/
(3) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14598919