The Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe is one of the most beneficial sources of natural, medicinal remedies around. It should be high on the list of things that everyone should have at their disposal before, during and after a crisis. Plants are easy to grow and maintain, and products that contain natural aloe compounds can treat a range of maladies from burns to high blood sugar. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing and practical benefits that a small amount of aloe can provide.
The Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera
Skin Soothing
Aloe cools and soothes burned, irritated, chafed or blistered skin. It penetrates the skin and infuses it with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes. It is widely-known to speed up healing and regenerating processes within skin while also acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is one of the best things in the world to put on sunburns or first to second degree burns. It also helps to keep skin soft in addition to creating a protective membrane over impacted areas. Relief is usually pronounced and immediate, and repeated applications are also purported to offset damage that is caused by UV radiation.
Digestive Aid
Ingesting a portion of the aloe plant is thought to provide relief from ulcers and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. It also serves as a natural laxative. However, it is important to limit consumption to less than 300mg per day of tablets, 200mg of juice and 50mg of extract. Prolonged ingestion of aloe vera has been linked to liver problems as well as miscarriages. Pregnant women or individuals with liver disease should not ingest aloe vera. However, the majority of adverse reactions to aloe occur in people who have consumed large quantities of aloe on a daily basis for months on end. The lesson to be learned is that ingesting aloe is beneficial in small doses for a short amount of time.
Other Benefits
Aloe is known to reduce cholesterol as well as to help regulate blood sugar. It also boosts the immune system and gives the body a shot of condensed vitamins and minerals. Rumors abound that it can also help to control certain forms of cancer, genital herpes and treat skin psoriasis. Aloe is also widely-recognized by the mainstream medical community as well as those who promote natural remedies. This is a very strong indication that the plant really does live up to many of the claims that are made about its benefits.
Growing and Using Aloe
The best way to obtain the most potent and effective benefits from aloe vera is to grow and use your own plants. All you need is a good sized pot, a sunny location and enough water to keep the soil moist. The plant is native to parts of Africa and thrives in sunny, hot climates in the United States. However, it can also grow indoors almost anywhere next to a window that receives a lot of sunlight, and it requires minimal care.
The best way to use aloe is by tearing off a piece of the plant near the stalk and ripping it in half. The medicinal liquid will ooze out from within the membranes of the leaves. You only need a small piece to obtain more than enough liquid, and you can drain some of the excess and store it in a plastic container in the refrigerator for up to six weeks.
You can also start new plants by cutting away an offset piece at the base where it diverges from the rest of the plant. Remove it and let the cut end scab over and dry for a couple of days on a paper towel in a dry and dark place. You can then re-plant the cutting in a pot with a drain hole next to a sunny window or outside in a warm, dry and sunny location. Avoid watering more than enough to keep the soil barely moist for the first week. Keep in mind that aloe plants grow slowly, so it may be more than a year before it reaches maturity and is able to produce new cuttings. However, you can squeeze the medicinal gel out of the plant as soon as the leaves begin to fatten and develop hard spines on the edges.
Keep in mind that aloe vera is not intended to treat deep wounds, severe burns or serious illnesses. However, it does the trick when dealing with minor to moderate skin and digestive problems. Don’t underestimate the power of this amazing plant, and start building your collection today so that you will always have an ample supply on hand.
