Aloe Vera - A succulent plant for skin, hair and overall health!
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant, native to Arabia, and is now a popular medicinal plant grown in every tropical area of the world. The plant has been in medicinal use since ancient Egypt history, till now as a popular ingredient in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and ointments.
It is a small stemmed or stemless plant that has spiked fleshy leaves containing the precious aloe vera gel widely used for treating skin burns and as a conditioner for hair.
Aloe can survive for more than 100 years!
Some amazing benefits
- Aloe Emodin, a component of Aloe Vera leaf, is seen to be helpful in slowing down the growth of Breast Cancer in healthy humans.
- Aloe Vera gel is popularly known for skin benefits, when combined with complex carbohydrates, can be a proven skin moisturizer as well as a pain reliever.
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice in the morning lower the blood sugar level and have been helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
- A measured dosage of 0.04 to 0.17 grams of dried aloe vera juice can work as a natural laxative.
- A review in 2010 has shown that aloe vera gel if consumed in 1-3 ounces can lower the severity of Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Frequently asked questions
● Is Aloe Vera Poisonous?
Aloe Vera contains latex, which can be seen under the leaf, and a yellow juice, layered above the gel. This latex can cause burn or irritation on the skin if used topically, and stomach pain or diarrhea if consumed. The gel must be washed before use and is not harmful to either skin or stomach.
● How to prepare aloe vera gel at home?
Cut the side spiked of the leaf, and remove the upper layer of the leaf. Scoop out the gel, make sure you remove the latex layer before you collect the gel. Mash it or puree the collected gel, you can refrigerate it for longer use.
You need to be careful with the latex layer as it can harm your skin as well as can cause diarrhea if consumed with gel.
● Are there any restrictions on the use of aloe vera juice or gel?
External use of aloe vera gel is majorly unrestricted if the person is not allergic to it. Whereas, consumption of aloe vera gel or juice has some restrictions on dosage and medical conditions of the consumer. Aloe vera juice can lower blood sugar levels and is also prohibited for pregnant women.
● How to grow Aloe vera at home?
Aloe Vera is an invasive plant and can easily be grown in a kitchen garden, indoor pot, or outdoor garden. The bottom of the plant produces offshoots which are generally used to grow plants, and also can be paired with growing leaves for faster and better growth.
Interesting facts about Aloe Vera
- Alexander the Great's soldiers are believed to use aloe vera to heal their wounds.
- Egyptian queen Cleopatra’s beauty routine included Aloe Vera.
- In Trinidad and Tobago, Aloe Vera is used to treating hypertension and depression.
- There are more than 500 varieties of aloe plants.
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karthik
karthik