Aloe Vera: The Healing Gel
The gel from aloe vera has been used for thousands of years for its healing purposes. It is a type of succulent plant with many medicinal purposes. The gel inside the plant is gooey and thick, and it is most commonly used to alleviate sun burns and is consumed in juice form for its health benefits. It is a juice with no sugar.
Aloe vera gel makes the skin soft, therefore many lotions contain this ingredient. It must be consumed as a supplement, or as a gel, because it is not found in food. Many people add aloe vera supplement to their smoothies or shakes since, by itself, it doesn’t have a desirable taste.
There are a number of ways that aloe vera can be helpful to us:
1. Aloe vera gel can help heal skin rashes, burns, dandruff, psoriasis, and help with damage to the skin caused by radiation.
2. When taken in the form of juice, it has been known to work as a laxative. Aloe vera juice also helps reduce acidity in the body, keeping one’s pH in balance. This can help treat heartburn, as aloe vera juice compounds help control secretions of acid in the stomach.
3. Aloe vera juice contains vitamins B, C, E, and folic acid. It also contains chromium, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc and is the only plant-based source of vitamin B12.
4. Aloe vera has been linked to lowering blood sugar levels for those with diabetes.
5. Aloe vera has been shown to help lower cholesterol.
6. Aloe vera is very water-dense, so it is great for hydration, which helps detox the body; it also helps alleviate constipation. Staying hydrated improves liver and kidney health and is needed for exercise recovery.
7. Aloe vera juice has been known to help keep acne away. It is a great source of antioxidants for your skin and it helps neutralize the effects of UV-ray damage to the skin. Adding to its beauty benefits, aloe vera gel can be used as a lightweight moisturizer, makeup remover and makeup primer.
It is important to pay attention to what type of aloe vera you are using. Be sure to read the labels for decolorized, purified, and organic. Unpurified aloe vera has been linked to stomach cramps and diarrhea. Drinking 8oz per day has been shown to have an optimal effect on one's health. Sometimes at-home remedies are the greatest tools in our shelf for self-care.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/aloe-vera-juice-benefits
https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/aloe-vera-juice-for-ibs
