Aloe Vera is a wonderful plant with so many beneficial properties. If you’ve never tried it, read on to find it’s many, many uses.
Out of the 400 species of the Aloe family, Aloe Vera (meaning True Aloe) has been used for thousands of years and is still present in varieties of medicines today. It is used predominantly as an herbal remedy for the skin, digestion, the reproductive system and as a detox. Gel or juice can be extracted from the leaves for many benefits, both externally and internally.
Aloe Vera can be used to treat skin conditions by applying it directly to the effected area, soothing the skin and easing pain and inflammation. It can speed up the healing process of burns, eczema and other conditions too. Rubbing the gel from the leaf over cuts in the skin can prevent infection and speed up the healing process. Because of its healing and moisturising benefits to the skin, it is also widely used by cosmetic companies and added to many products such as after sun gels, face creams, body lotions, deodorants, after shave balms, etc.
The juice of Aloe Vera can be extracted by cutting the leaf, collecting the gel and then processing it . The juice has many benefits when drunk. This is partially due to the fact that it contains twelve vitamins (including A, B1, B6, B12, C and E), nineteen amino acids and over 20 minerals, most of which are essential to the body.
Aloe Vera is also an adaptogen, it boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. This provides you with a greater resilience and ability to cope with stress from physical, emotional or environmental sources. It boosts your immune system, the polysaccharides in Aloe Vera juice stimulate the white blood cells that fight viruses, plus Aloe Vera has a high level of anti-oxidants in it, making it a great immune system booster.
Aloe Vera is also known as an alkaliser, disease cannot survive and reproduce cells in alkaline conditions. Aloe Vera is alakine forming, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
It is also known for its ability to clean the liver and protect the digestive system by reducing intestinal inflammation. It is a great way to detox. The gel /juice moves through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins and eliminating them through the colon.
In Ayurveda, the Indian health practice, Aloe Vera is known as Kumari (‘the princess’) because of its positive effect on the menstrual cycle and female reproductive system.
Overall, Aloe Vera is a multi purpose healer! It can be used for healing many external problems, or when consumed, as a potent cleansing and rejuvenating tonic that is very nutrient rich and beneficial to the body. It has anti viral, antiseptic, anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral properties.
