Aloe vera is a rich, medicinal plant that people have used for thousands of years. Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It is best known for treating skin injuries, but it also has potential health benefits. It has a wide range of therapeutic characteristics, especially as an ointment for the skin and gums.
It has Strong Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties
Antioxidants are essential for health. They help to kick off free radicals and boost immunity. Aloe vera gel contains some potent antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and some other compounds to inhibit bacteria’s growth that causes infection in humans. Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties too. That is why it help treat wounds and skin problems. It contains seven of the eight essential amino acids.
It Reduces Dental Plaque
Tooth decay and bleeding gums are prevalent health problems. It is vital to protect and take care of everybody part, necessarily teeth. One of the best ways to treat these conditions is to reduce the buildup of plaque or bacterial biofilms on the teeth. Aloe vera is effective in killing plaque-forming bacterium Streptococcus mutans and the yeast Candida albicans in the mouth. A good rinse of 100% pure aloe vera juice can be as effective as the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque. Aloe vera toothpaste and mouthwash are natural products that can improve oral hygiene.
It Accelerates Wound Healing
Aloe vera is an effective ingredient of topical medication and skin treatments. It has soothing, moisturizing, and cooling properties that makes it a perfect ointment for burns and rashes. Also, it is used in treating sores, sunburns and in treating first and second-degree burns. People most often rub it on the skin instead of consuming it. Aloe vera helps in reducing the healing time of burns as compared to conventional medication. Moreover, it prevents redness, itching, and infections. It is one of the cheapest pain relievers too.
It Reduces Constipation
Aloe vera also helps to treat constipation, mother of all diseases. This time it is the latex, not the gel, that provides the health benefit. The latex is a yellow sticky substance present just under the skin of the leaf. The main factor present in the latex is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has potential laxative effects, increasing water in the intestinal lumen. However, it is not effective against other digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Perhaps more research is needed on the topic. Aloe vera may help inhibit H pylori bacteria’s growth found in the digestive tract and lead to ulcers. It is also known that applying aloe vera gel on anal fissures helps promote healing.
It Improves Skin Problems and has an Anti-aging Factor
Aloe vera can slow down the aging process as it feeds nutrition to the skin. Oral consumption of aloe vera gel increases collagen production and improves skin elasticity. However, there are risks associated with oral consumption. It can help skin retain its moisture and improve skin integrity, which could benefit dry skin conditions. Aloe vera can be used in multiple ways to treat skin problems like removing the old spots, preventing new breakouts, dryness, etc. It is most commonly mixed with lemon juice in an 8 to 1 ratio, applied on the face, and washed after ten minutes. You can either make a face mask of honey, cinnamon and aloe vera to soothe acne. All these have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can also make a diluted solution of aloe vera gel and spray it on the skin to keep it hydrated. Above all, it is suitable for all skin types.
It Lowers Blood Sugar Level
Aloe vera can also be used as a remedy for diabetes. It is because it may improve insulin sensitivity and help to maintain blood sugar management. Thus, it can help with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes due to its effects on glycemic control. It may also help to lower cholesterol levels.
It Drops Hair Fall Rate
Aloe vera also has an enzyme worth mentioning, and that is a proteolytic enzyme. It repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It acts as a great conditioner and helps smoothen your hair with a shiny look. It promotes hair growth, prevents itching on the scalp, reduces dandruff, and gives your hair nutrition. Keratin, the primary protein of hair, rejuvenates the hair, and so does aloe vera gel as it contains the same essential components. It gives more elasticity to hair and prevents breakage by supplying nutrients like carbon, oxygen, amino acids, small amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Mix equal quantities of coconut oil with aloe vera juice or gel and apply it on the scalp and leave for as long as possible for better results.
It Helps in Weight Loss
The plant has tremendous health benefits, among which weight loss could be the surprising one. Aloe vera can improve the effectiveness of your diet and maximize your weight loss potential. It is used in a wide range of products like diet supplements, juices, etc. As the plant is rich in antioxidants, it can improve the body’s immunity by cutting out the free radicals. It is also a good and rich source of protein that builds up your muscle and gives you an enormous amount of energy. For aloe vera to show its weight loss results, you must regularly use it over a long period. You must consult your dietician before starting one.
However, there are specific side effects and health risks of aloe vera that you should know. It is not the gel but the latex that can cause some health hazards. Consuming latex can lead to cramps and diarrhea and may suppress the effects of the oral medication you might be taking. It may lead to kidney damage and death, too. Hence, it is always wise to consult your doctor before incorporating aloe latex into your care regimen. Since there are no side effects that have been reported by its topical use, you can use it after doing the patch test.
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!