Aloe Vera is a stemless or very small stem plant which grows in tropical climates around the world. It's thick and fleshy leaves are full of nutrients, phytochemicals and minerals. Aloe Vera offers multiple health benefits and is used extensively by the beauty industry.
Before we discuss some of the most common benefits of aloe vera, let us understand what aloe vera is?
Aloe Vera is a green plant with thick fleshy leaves of sizes ranging from 30cm-50cm long. Some Aloe Vera leaves can be as long as 100cm long but they are rare.
The leaves are different shades of green depending on their age. Some leaves may look gray green.
The leaves store water in the tissues making it thick. The water gets converted into gel which is used by pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries for various purposes.
Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
1. Aloe Vera Helps in Healing Burns
The oldest recorded use of Aloe vera is for healing the burns. Latest studies also indicate its usefulness in healing the burns much faster than the conventional medicine.
If you have the first or second degree burns then applying Aloe vera gel on the burns will not only relieve you from the pain but also heal your burns much earlier. Since burns may leave scars, it is important that you use Aloe vera under medical supervision for best results.
Aloe vera can also an excellent home remedy for sunburn. It may not provide the required sun protection as the sunscreen does, but applying Aloe vera after the sun exposure will help in controlling the skin damage caused by the sun exposure.
2. Aloe Vera Reduces Wrinkles
Aloe vera is very good for reducing wrinkles on your skin. It produces collagen which improves elasticity of the skin as a result wrinkles are smothered out.
Apply Aloe vera gel 3-4 times a day for 6 months to see some measurable results. Make sure that you apply it generously.
Aloe vera gel has not shown any significant benefits on any kinds of dermatitis or skin infections.
3. Aloe Vera for Hair Fall
Aloe helps to reduce hair fall. It is an effective remedy for hair loss due to the the proteolytic enzyme in it which helps repair dead skin cells in the scalp.
It also improves hair shine. In fact hair that gets its luster from keratin is very similar to the amino-acid contents of Aloe vera.
Aloe vera helps to reduce dandruff on the scalp as well as stops itching.
Apply Aloe vera generously on your scalp and hair to get both instant and lasting benefits.
4. Aloe Vera Reduces Allergies
Aloe vera contains 18-20 amino acids and 3 plant sterols that makes it a protein rich plant. The impact of these amino acids and sterols along with same fatty acids helps reduce inflammation, improves immunity and resist the allergens more effectively, thereby you get less allergic rashes.
5. Aloe Vera Improves Digestion
So far you have read all the topical uses of Aloe vera, but it can also be ingested for many digestive health benefits.
Taste of Aloe vera is bitter and you simply can't eat it as it is. Dice the gel in small pieces and add to other fruit juices such as orange juice to drink it.
Aloe vera helps relieve constipation by improving metabolism. In addition, since Aloe vera is full of nutrients, it also helps in reducing weight.
Although some studies show an adverse impact on the lever due to excessive use of Aloe vera for long periods, occasional ingestion of Aloe vera is considered safe.