Ultimate Guide: Aloe Vera Benefits, Side Effects And More
This little green plant has a ton of benefits. You’ve most likely seen aloe vera. It’s a short-stemmed, thick plant with pointed leaves with little spikes. Kind of looks like a big succulent, because it is. Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years in medicine for it’s healing properties. The ancient Egyptians used it, as well as the Chinese. It’s also a part of Ayurveda. Within its thick leaves, this plant stores mainly water. This water gets turned into juice or a gel, which can both be used and hold their own benefits. Aloe vera gel is most commonly used to treat burn and other forms of injures. However, it has a lot more advantages. That’s why today, we’ll be taking a look at all the aloe vera benefits, side effects and more.
Aloe vera is from the family of succulents
Aloe Vera Benefits
One of the best things about aloe vera is that you can grow it yourself. It’s easy to maintain, it looks super cute, and you can use it anytime you need it. It’s a win-win all around. But let’s take a better look at what aloe vera is good for.
Grow your very own aloe vera
Heals Burns
As we mentioned one of aloe vera’s most famous benefits is its ability to help with burns and heal wounds faster. You can use the plant as a topical treatment by rubbing it onto the skin. It helps with treating burn, including sunburn, sores, and wounds. It also reduces the healing time. Not only that it also help prevent further infections, redness, or itching.
Burns heal much faster with aloe vera
Dental Health
Who knew using aloe vera as a mouthwash can help save you a trip to the dentist? Well, it’s true! The plant has anti-gingevitis and anti-plaque properties. Both gum diseases and tooth decay are super common health problems. The best way to help prevent those issues is by reducing plaque buildup and bacterial biofilm. And you guessed it, aloe vera can do both. No more bleeding gums and healthier, cleaner teeth. What a win!
Healthy, clean teeth with aloe vera
No More Constipation
Aloe vera is a natural laxative. The plant provides the body with hydration thanks to it’s high-water content, and it also contains aloin, which work as a laxative. The aloin can be found in the latex of the plant. The latex is that yellow, sticky residue you see right underneath the leaf’s skin.
Yummy aloe vera juice
Glowy Skin
This plant can help you achieve smooth, glowy skin. Aloe vera is amazing at fighting blackheads, acne, and even reduces the aging process. This is thanks to the high-water content of the plant. When the skin is dehydrated it produces more oil, which can lead to skin imperfections. Drinking or applying aloe vera to the skin can help the body gain the extra moisture, thus preventing all of these issues.
Use aloe vera for clear skin
Lowers Blood Sugar
Studies have shown that taking just two tablespoons of juice from aloe can help to lower blood sugar levels in people who have type 2 diabetes. Consequently, aloe vera can help stabilize sugar levels and help people control them. This is thanks to the fact that aloe vera has the ability to reduce the absorption of glucose and lower its production.
Aloe vera reduces blood sugar levels
Helps with Canker Sores
Cancer sores, or also called mouth ulcers are pretty common. Anybody can get them. They form inside your mouth, usually underneath the lip. And while they don’t last more than a week, they are pretty annoying. Here’s where aloe vera can help! This little plant heals the ulcers much quicker than usual medication. Not only that but it makes them less painful.
Canker sores can be super annoying
Reduces Heartburn
Heartburn is a common issue. It most often occurs when the acid within your stomach goes up to the esophagus, thus causing heartburn. Some studies have shown that drinking aloe vera can help with stomach acid and thus reducing the symptoms of heartburn. Aloe vera is a low-toxicity plant making it a safe and gentle remedy for such digestion issues.
Drink aloe vera juice to reduce heartburn
Purifies Air
An often forgotten benefit of the aloe vera plant is the fact that it’s amazing at purifying the air from toxins. This air purifying plant, alongside others can help bring clean air to your living space. So, if you live on a busy street or near a construction site, make sure to add such plants to your home.
Enjoy cleaner air thanks to aloe vera
Side Effects Of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is generally safe to consume and use as a remedy. There aren’t really all too many side effects. However, due to its strong laxative effect it may cause cramps or diarrhea in some people. Some studies have also found that long-term aloe vera supplement use can cause liver damage. So, make sure to take breaks if taking supplements. You may also be allergic to the plant if you have allergies to onions, garlic, and tulips.
Aloe vera gel
How To Harvest Aloe Vera?
If you have your very own aloe vera plant and want to harvest its gel for use, here is how to do it. Cut an outer leaf, make sure you’re close to the stem. Rinse it. Put the plant on a cutting board with the rounded side up. Take a knife and peel off the leaf’s skin around the edges. After that just take the knife and slide off the rest of the gel from the rest of the skin. Put it in a bowl or processor and mash or purée the gel. Voilà! That’s it.
You can harvest the leaves yourself
These were all the aloe vera benefits, side effects and tips we had. We hope you find this article useful! Now you can go and enjoy all the aloe vera benefits. Plants have many benefits, from helping you sleep to just looking plain cool. So, why not fill your house with these lovely gifts from nature.
Aloe vera benefits are amazing
