Aloe vera has been the most popular product used in skin and hair care products. People use aloe vera gel, cream, mask and what not because it claims to treat skin and hair. The plant is widely used to enhance hair growth. It strengthens your hair and treats your scalp so you might easily find an aloe vera product in a common household.
Aloe vera has vitamin A, C and E which are essential for promoting healthy cell growth. Your shiny hair is the result of these vitamins. Along with these vitamins, aloe vera consists of vitamin B12 and folic acid and can prevent hair fall.
Aloe vera has antioxidants, namely, polyphenol, and antibacterial properties. Antioxidant properties of aloe vera helps to curb the free movement of radical cells in the body, preventing a human body from various diseases. The antibacterial properties of aloe vera helps to fight skin issues and healing of wounds.
Apart from being a valuable ingredient in the beauty industry, aloe vera is a plant that offers multiple medicinal benefits. Due to the medicinal properties of aloe vera it has been used in the pharmaceutical industry as well. One can also use aloe vera as a home remedy for various issues.
The word aloe vera is derived from the Arabic word “alloeh” which means a bitter shiny substance and vera in Latin means “true”. It has been used in the ancient ayurvedic system for centuries and has been called “ghee kunwar” in Sanskrit.
Medicinal Properties of Aloe Vera:
A plant that has a long history of being used as a medicinal remedy dating back to ancient Egypt has multiple benefits including:
Helps treat burns:
- Aloe vera is a popular remedy to treat burns, especially sunburn. People have been using it as a medicinal remedy to treat burns of all kinds.
- The soothing, moisturising and cooling properties of aloe vera helps to treat burns of all kinds. Aloe vera is safe to use for first and second degree burns as well.
- Applying aloe vera because of sunburn after sitting in the sun for too long can give you relief due to its cooling properties.
- You can use aloe vera as an instant remedy to apply on your skin if it gets burned by accident from an oven or stove. This can help you give relief from the pain and avoid further damage until you reach a doctor for proper treatment.
Improves oral health:
- Aloe vera can be used as a mouthwash which will help improve your oral health.
- Using aloe vera for your oral health can help you fight dental plaque, and other dental problems. Aloe vera is found to be more effective than its chemical counterpart chlorhexidine.
- The mouth ulcers that usually develop under the inner lip last for weeks and are painful. Aloe vera can help people to treat mouth ulcers by accelerating the healing process.
- Aloe vera is also useful to treat canker sores that one develops on gums or in the mouth.
Treats constipation:
- Aloe vera has a major impact on treating constipation because of its laxative properties.
- The latex of aloe vera is used to improve bowel movement. Latex is the yellow residue present under the skin of the leaf.
- One needs to be aware of the dose of aloe vera which is suggested to be 0.04-0.17 grams as more of it can cause issues like diarrhoea because of its laxative effect due to aloin.
Good for skin:
- Aloe vera is most popularly used for skin treatment because of its cooling, soothing and moisturising properties.
- You can find various gels, creams, serums etc that use aloe vera extract.
- The gel from aloe vera is beneficial to treat skin burns, acne, and moisturise your dry skin.
- Aloe vera also helps to keep your skin hydrated and clear because the leaf of the plant stores water as they are grown in dry and unstable conditions.
- If you have dry skin, you can use aloe vera gel to enhance the texture of your skin and prevent dryness.
Reduces blood sugar levels:
- Blood sugar level can be controlled by the consumption of aloe vera.
- Taking two spoonfuls of aloe vera juice can help you keep your blood sugar levels in control.
- Aloe vera juice is also suggested to a diabetic person so they can keep their diabetes in control by improving the responsiveness of tissues towards insulin.
Wound healing:
- Aloe vera is also known to accelerate the wound healing process.
- You need to rub the gel part of the leaf on the wound rather than consuming it directly.
- The cooling effect of aloe vera will help to reduce the burning sensation of the wound.
- Applying aloe vera on the wound can also help prevent irritation, redness, itchiness or infections.
How to Use Aloe Vera?
- Aloe vera is the house pot plant. It does not need much water like other plants, so you can grow aloe vera at your place.
- Only baby aloe needs direct sunlight, otherwise aloe can grow in dry and unstable conditions.
- The home grown aloe vera can be used in various forms especially for your hair and skin care.
- The gel part of the leaf is removed and is used as a remedy for skin and hair.
- You can use the gel to apply on the skin to moisturise it, or treat acne and marks on your skin.
- You can get a healthy hair scalp by applying aloe vera as well. It can reduce scalp dryness, itchiness or dandruff.
- Apply the gel on your scalp before washing your hair to add moisture to your scalp. After washing you also apply it on the scalp and hair length to reduce frizz.
- Two spoonfuls of aloe vera juice can go a long way to benefit your help. It can treat constipation and also helps in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Replacing your regular mouthwash with the aloe vera mouthwash can help you improve your oral health.
Conclusion:
Aloe vera is not just a house plant, but an effective remedy for many issues that a person faces in their daily life. Your skin and hair health will improve organically. You can ditch all the chemical products that are in your bathroom and replace them with aloe vera gel.
Consuming aloe vera as juice can give you multiple health benefits, but beware of the amount that you consume on a daily basis.