Besides looking nice enough as a decorative flower, the aloe vera plant can be used in a lot of beneficial ways. Don’t know what aloe vera is? You’ve probably seen it around your neighborhood several times. The thick, pointed green leaves of aloe vera usually stand out amidst other plants. Each leaf can be about 12-19 inches long and is filled with slimy, gel-like tissue. It is this gel that contains the medicinal properties of this plant.
People have been using the aloe vera plant for thousands of years to treat various health issues. These days, the gel-like substance of this plant is extracted and used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries to produce aloe vera supplements, ointments or creams. However, it is safe and very effective to directly use the fresh aloe vera plant.
Read on to discover some of the essential uses and health benefits of aloe vera.
Beneficial ways of using Aloe Vera
Mouth Wash
It is exactly what you are thinking—you can use aloe vera to wash your mouth the same way as you would with toothpaste. Or you can buy toothpaste that contains aloe vera. Using aloe vera to rinse your mouth promotes your oral health as aloe vera is effective in reducing levels of plaque, candida, and gingivitis. You can also use it to treat mouth ulcers or canker sores.
Ointment
One of the most popular uses of aloe vera is as a medication or ointment for healing skin burns, sun burns, sores or cuts on the skin. Aloe vera has moisturizing, cooling and soothing properties. Regularly applying aloe vera to the affected area of your skin can provide quick relief.
Skin And Hair Treatment
Many people, especially ladies apply aloe vera gel as a kind of condition on their hair because they believe it nourishes the scalp. Aloe vera plant also has a calming effect on the skin and can be used to treat skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. If your skin is itchy or inflamed, rubbing aloe vera on your skin can also be relieving.
Lower Blood Sugar
People with type 2 diabetes will benefit greatly by consuming aloe vera juice as aloe vera lowers blood sugar levels and enhances triglyceride levels—reducing the chances of developing heart disease. Study found that taking two tablespoons of aloe vera juice for two weeks has a positive impact on people with diabetes.
Digestive Help
Aloe vera can help cure irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ailments and benefit your digestive tract as a whole. The laxative properties in aloe vera are also very helpful in treating constipation.
As you can see, aloe vera is one beautiful plant that is brimful of many medicinal benefits.
