I Love Aloe... Benefits of Aloe Vera
/Aloe Vera is a plant from the Liliaceae family. It has thick, spiked green leaves and short stems, similar to a cactus and is native to the Arabian peninsula and Egypt. Aloe vera is known to grow in very tropical climates and is generally used in herbal medicine and sometimes even In orthodox medicine to synthesize drugs that are usually used to treat hair, fat, and skin related ailments.
One of the more popular uses of aloe vera is for topical use on skin (duh, that’s why we’re talking about it!). The juices contained in the aloe vera plant is known to treat, exfoliate, heal and restore skin texture to its original state. Aloe vera can be used to:
Treat Burns and Abrasions. Aloe vera is most commonly used — either alone or in body creams — to treat burns ranging from sun-burns to higher degree burns and abrasions to the skin. When used alone, the plant is cut open and gel is directly applied over the affected part.
Treat Cuts. Aloe vera can be applied to the surface of a cut, as well, as it heals and minimizes scarring by fighting off bacteria and boosting collagen production.
Soothe Eczema and Skin Irritations. Aloe vera is traditionally used to treat skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis as it’s moisturizing effect can help reduce dry and itchy skin. The gel can be applied directly on the affected area.
Treat Cold Sores, Frostbite, and Dry Skin. For dry skin, aloe-vera acts as an absorbent and will easily moisturize dry skin. It can also be used to treat frostbite and cold sores as the components of the gel attack the underlying cause of the cold sores.
Reduce Acne and Signs of Aging. The plant gel contains auxins and gibberellins which are hormones used in the treatment of severe acne and also incorporated In anti-aging drugs.
But wait… there’s more!
Aloe vera works wonders for hair too because it possesses enzymes that help fix dead cells in the scalp and enhance the growth of healthy smooth hair. It can also be applied on the hair to give it a sheen and strengthen the hair strands to prevent breakage.
Aloe vera can even be used for weight loss (yes, you read that correctly!). Due to its effect on the digestive system and its anti-oxidant properties, it helps quickly break-down fat accumulation in the body. It is also used to treat stomach ailments and irritable bowel syndrome.
The use of aloe vera for both beauty and hygienic treatments abounds and cannot be underestimated. Aloe vera should be a stable in every woman’s skincare regimen, especially those who value their health and are on a journey to look more beautiful.