Aloe might be a
word someone would see while browsing the sunscreen shelf at a store,
and for many it's a popular container plant to go on a shelf at home.
Aloe Vera is a plant growing across the globe not just in people's
houses and farms, but in demand. It seems to be a trendy word rising
in cosmetics and even dietary supplements. This short stemmed
succulent dates back to the B.C. Era, and has since been in stories
from Christopher Columbus using it on wounded soldiers, to
Cleopatra's beauty secrets. This plant has withstood the test of
time, and is sprouting into all kinds of healing and medicinal uses
today.
Aloe Vera's
best known as a remedy for minor sunburns and cuts. It can be bought
from the store as a gel or oil, and extracted from the plant itself
by cracking open a leaf and squeezing the sap out. While the sap can
be applied directly on the skin, it's also recommended mixing it with
other natural oils and ingredients for a soothing cream. There are
lots of how-to's online on making homemade Aloe Vera cream.
Aloe isn't just
a great skin treatment, it can also heal cold sores and canker sores.
The secret is in the amino acids and vitamins. Using Aloe Vera juice
on mouth ulcers is straight forward. Dry the ulcer with a cotton
swab, then dip a q-tip in Aloe Vera juice (right from the plant), and
dab it directly on the infected area. It helps alleviate pain, and
speeds up the healing process.
While the
dubbed “medicine plant” boast so many skin benefits, some go as
far to mix Aloe Vera gel in shakes or smoothies. Aloe Vera gel is a
safe to eat, but it should be taken in small quantities because it's
been linked to diarrhea and stomach aches if taken in excess. There
is a very helpful article on the warnings and side effects of
consuming Aloe Vera gel at
www.aloeplant.info/aloe-vera-gel-warnings/.
I would advice anyone deciding to eat the gel to use common sense,
research, and read labels. I couldn't find any real benefits on the
web of eating the gel, other than it “cleanses” the intestinal
track.
Aloe Vera has
found its way into thousands of off-the-shelf products. lip balm,
lotion, dietary supplements, soap, shaving cream, conditioner, bug
spray, and many more skin treatment products use the gel, but why is
it so popular and how does it actually help the skin? It's because
the gel is loaded with all kinds of healing and antibacterial
properties. It doesn't just reduce irritation and cool the skin, but
helps heal it at the same time. Thanks to two fancy worded substances
called glycoproteins and polysaccahrides. I won't go into depth
exactly how these work, but in a nutshell they moisturize the skin
reducing inflammation, and kill off bacteria. It also consist of
minerals, sugars, and enzymes. A whole lot of good stuff for an easy
to grow plant.
My favorite use
of Aloe Vera that I saw from DIY are ice cubes to help sunburns. It's
so easy and simple anyone can make them. All you need is 100% Aloe
Vera gel, or better yet gel right from the plant, and pour it into an
ice cube tray. Freeze them and that's it. Little soothing ice cubes
to relieve that lobster crab burn. I will most certainly try this in
the summer.
With all the
benefits of Aloe Vera, it's not just a great companion for succulent
gardens, but an even better ally for skin treatment. Its history and
stories of healing extends so far back it's no wonder why it's among
one of the top sought after indoor plants. Whether as an aid for
sunburns, or a unique specimen for a garden, this plant is definitely
one worth picking up. Just be careful of the sharp teeth on the edge
of the leaves.
