Aloe vera, a cactus plant with fleshy and thorny leaves, is an all-natural medicine that people have used since time immemorial. The ancient Egyptians named is ‘the plant of immortality’ for its powerful healing and soothing qualities; it is also called the ‘miracle plant’ for its medicinal values in various fields. Aloe vera is a tropical plant native to North Africa and Spain, and is also grown and found in warm and dry climes like Asia, Europe, and the Americas. There are over 500 species of aloe vera available, but the Aloe Barbadensis, famous for its juicy leaves, is the most commonly used and grown worldwide. In the past, people preferred using the whole plant as there were not many beauty care products available in earlier times.
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One of the best things about aloe vera is that it can be used internally and externally, in various forms – raw aloe, gel, juice, oil, creams, soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other medicinal forms like tablets. With the growing popularity of the natural ingredient day by day, beauty companies have launched a large variety of aloe vera skin and hair care products.
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Aloe vera is made up of various vitamins and minerals with enormous health benefits, including iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. It also contains folic acid, fatty acids, salicylic acid, anthraquinones, and more. This makes it effective for treating not only health issues, but also various skin conditions.
First, let us have a look at some of the aloe vera benefits on health by consuming it, and also applying aloe vera.
1. Improves digestion
Regular intake of aloe vera enhances the digestive strength of your body. Enzymes like proteases and lipases present in aloe vera help break down food, sugar, and fats easily, thus aiding the digestion process.
2. Cures constipation
Along the same vein, aloe vera is a great remedy for constipation when taken internally. It has a long history of being a laxative treatment for chronic digestion problems, having natural fibers that improve bowel movements.
3. Stabilizes blood sugar and triglyceride levels
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Regular intake of aloe vera juice can help you reduce blood sugar levels for patients suffering with diabetes. It also helps reduce triglyceride levels.
4. Lowers high cholesterol
Aloe vera gel, when taken internally, helps improve blood quality and lowers the level of cholesterol in your body.
5. Lessens the risk of heart attacks
Taking aloe vera prevents blood cells from clumping, which is one of the main reasons for strokes and heart attacks. To improve the quality of your blood, you must have aloe vera juice on a regular basis.
6. Boosts energy and immunity levels
The essential antioxidants present in aloe vera juice helps detoxify and regulate the immune system of your body. Regular consumption of aloe vera juice can also help you boost your energy level.
7. Cures gum disease
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Due to its natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, aloe vera is very effective in treating gum disease. Regularly massaging your gum with aloe vera gel can help you get rid of bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and gum swelling. Moreover, for strong and healthy teeth, regular intake of Aloe vera juice is very necessary.
8. Relieves liver infections
The intake of aloe vera juice on a regular basis improves your liver function. It also helps prevent liver scarring due to excess alcohol.
9. Reduces inflammation and joint pains
External use of aloe vera gel or sprays can give you relief from arthritis, joint and muscle pains, and inflammation. The presence of the kinase enzyme in aloe vera helps reduce excessive inflammation and pain when applied directly. For better results, you can drink aloe vera juice regularly as well.
You might feel the taste of aloe vera juice to be awful, but just for the sake of the innumerous benefits aloe vera does to your hair, skin and health, you would be well advised to start getting accustomed to aloe vera gel, juicem and other products.
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Meanwhile, aloe vera also has a long list of benefits when used on your skin and face. It is known to be the best natural product that helps you soothe your skin and relieve you from a number of skin problems. Here is a list of the top 15 aloe vera benefits for your skin.
1. Acts as a moisturizer
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Aloe vera acts as one of the best natural moisturizers for your skin. Applying aloe vera hydrates your skin and strengthens its tissues.
2. Gets rid of dry and fragile skin
Aloe vera is a great moisturizer for your skin and thus can cure your dry and itchy skin. Applying aloe vera can relieve you from rough and fragile skin in harsh climates, giving you smooth and soft skin instead.
3. Treats skin problems
Applying aloe on your skin can also treat acne problems. Aloe vera has gibberellins and auxin hormones, along with other strong anti-inflammatory propertiesm and thus applying aloe vera on your skin can also help you get rid of other skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
4. Treats sunburn
Applying aloe vera on your body and facial skin can protect it from sunburns and tanning. With its powerful healing capacity, it acts as a protective layer for your skin, shielding it from the harmful rays of sunlight.
5. Fights premature aging
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The presence of Vitamin C and E and other antioxidants in aloe vera helps you prevent your skin from premature ageing. Applying aloe vera also helps you get rid of wrinkles and other fine lines off your skin.
6. Pigmentation
Regular use of aloe vera products on your skin can help you reduce the intensity of pigmentation in your skin. It also helps in lightening darks spots on your body.
7. Reduces the visibility of stretch marks
Aloe vera can heal the torn layers of the skin caused due to overstretching of skin. Therefore, applying aloe vera gel is one of the best remedies to get rid of stretch marks from pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or excess weight loss.
8. Prevents under-eye dark circles
Aloe vera, being a rich source of vitamins and minerals, helps you get rid of dark circles around your eyes and restore its original color.
9. Improves your skin tone
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Applying aloe vera gel on your face and body regularly will help you improve your skin tone. Meanwhile, drinking aloe vera juice supplies your body with essential nutrients for glowing and radiant looking skin.
10. Gives a smooth shave
Aloe vera is very beneficial for healing wounds, cuts, and burns, and therefore applying it on your skin after shaving can help you prevent razor burns and bumps. For better results, you can also try using aloe vera shaving gel.
11. Repairs cracked heels
A gentle massage on your heels with aloe vera cream or gel can cure cracked heels, making them smooth and gentle for once.
12. Repairs skin during frostbite
Use of aloe vera also helps in treating your skin from frostbite, swelling, numbness, and redness of the skin when it’s unforgivingly cold out.
13. Heals chapped lips
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For smooth, soft, and plump lips you can apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel on your lips to cure dry and chapped lips. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera juice can also cure swollen lips.
14. Gives you glowing skin
Applying aloe vera on a regular basis helps get rid of dead cells and welcome new ones, as a result of which you can get glowing, smooth skin using a an all-natural product.
15. Improves the elasticity of your skin
The presence of collagen, along with other antioxidants and vitamins, in aloe vera gel improves the natural firmness of the skin while refreshing it. To get young, vibrant, and healthy looking skin, use aloe vera gel on a regular basis.
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Aloe vera is one of the best natural herbs that rejuvenate your skin, making it smooth, healthy, and flawless. When used both internally and externally, it soothes, nourishes, hydrates, and regenerates your skin.
People mostly prefer using aloe vera juice, gel, creams, lotions, face wash gels, and body wash lotions, but you can also try using some face packs or masks for better results. Some of the common face packs using aloe vera are as follows:
1. For bright and radiant skin
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Make a paste of turmeric, honey, milk, aloe vera gel, and rose water and mix it well. Apply on your face and neck area, leave it for around 30 minutes, and wash it off with lukewarm or cold water for shining and glowing skin.
2. For normal skin
People with normal skin types can also apply an aloe vera face pack for good-looking skin. A mixture of dry orange peel powder, curd, aloe vera gel, and gram flour (besan) can make a great face pack. Apply the paste made on your face and neck and wash off after 15 minutes.
3. For sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin and want a natural remedy, then try a mixture of cucumber juice, curd, and aloe vera gel. Take the ingredients and mix it into a thick paste, apply it on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. You can also add a few drops of rose water to get better results. Wash off the face pack with cold water after 15 minutes.
4. For dry skin
Lack of moisture and nourishment often leads to dry skin. To cure it you can make a thick paste of aloe vera gel, olive oil, and shea butter and apply it on your face and neck. Leave it for 15-20 minutes then wash with clean fresh and cold water for results.
5. For oily skin
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Remove the thorns of aloe vera leaves, boil them in water, and grind them to make a paste to be mixed with honey. Apply the blend on your face and rinse it off after 20 minutes to get rid of oily skin.
6. For detoxification
Make a mixture of aloe vera gel, mango pulp, and lemon juice and apply it on your face. Leave it for 20 minutes, then wash it off with cold water and get refreshed skin with an extra glow.
7. For tan removal
To get rid of the dull look on your skin and revive its natural tone, make a mixture of lemon juice and aloe vera gel and apply it on your face and other tanned areas. Leave it for around 20 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.
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8. For curing pigmentation
To regain your spotless skin and get rid of your dark circles, pimple scars, etc., make a mixture of aloe vera gel and rose water and apply it on your face. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.
Aloe vera, though a magical plant with lots of beneficial qualities and medicinal value for your skin, health, and hair may have side effects for certain people who are allergic to Aloe vera and its products. Thus, people with sensitive skin who are allergic to Aloe vera should strictly avoid using it.
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
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