Aloe vera is known as the miracle plant because of its healing properties. The use of aloe vera can be traced around 4,000 years ago in different countries. According to legends, Aristotle convinced Alexander the Great to take over an island in the Indian Ocean because of its abundant supply of aloe vera needed to heal the wounds of his soldiers. In Egypt, aloe vera was used by women as a beauty product while Roman and Greek physicians used it to treat a wide variety of ailments. Aloe vera is claimed to boost the immune system, has anti-aging properties, relieves the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcers, helps in the relief of eczema and burn injury, and promotes wound healing.
This plant, native of North America is composed of four layers, the rind, sap, mucilage gel, and its inner gel. The mucilage gel is the portion that is filleted out to manufacture aloe vera gel and the inner gel contains eight essential amino acids that the body can’t manufacture. Because of its many medicinal properties, aloe vera is an active ingredient in pills, creams, gel capsules, sprays, ointments, lotions, syrups, beverages, jellies, and many other preparations.
Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
- The aloin component found in the Aloe vera gel is supports a healthy digestive tract. It acts as a very potent laxative and is used to prevent constipation. There have also been reports that aloe vera is helpful in improving the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chron’s diseases, and ulcerative colitis. It can also fight harmful bacteria and other parasites in the intestine that can cause digestive infections.
- Aloe vera aids in relieving insect bites, sun burns and rashes because it contains magnesium lactate. Magnesium lactate is a known itch inhibitor.
- Aloe’s extract has cooling properties and can be a soothing cure to burned skin, inflammations, and skin redness.
- Aloe vera contains elements capable of cellular regeneration which makes it a very effective treatment for wounds, cuts, and scratches.
- Aloe vera has analgesic properties and can control the accumulation of fluid in inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
- The vapor from boiled aloe vera is a known home remedy for asthma attacks.
- Aloe very is rich in moisturising and hydrating properties that can keep the skin healthy and prevents skin drying. It is also a very important ingredient in skin care products as it stimulates the skin cells to regenerate faster to give it a more vibrant and younger texture and look.
- Aloe vera lowers blood cholesterol levels when taken internally.
- Aloe vera prevents infections by its active anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can prevent and treat some vaginal infections.
- Aloe vera promotes dental health by reducing pain and inflammation in denture patients and is also used after periodontal surgeries. It is also useful in treating lesions and ulcers inside and outside the mouth.
Today, aloe vera is still being studied by scientists to establish its potency in preventing and treating chronic illnesses. Some researches even suggested that aloe vera can also be helpful in halting the development of tumours, treating diabetes, and improving the symptoms of AIDS.
