Did you know aloe has therapeutic potential and numerous beneficial effects on health? The plant, known by its scientific name Aloe vera, is good for the hair, promotes skin hydration, prevents wrinkles, and speeds up the healing of pimples and wounds.
All this is because of its incredible composition: vitamins A and C, some B and K complexes, minerals such as potassium and iron, amino acids, phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, and plenty of water, about 95% of the total weight.
Do you know what is better? It can be used in many different ways, and to help you learn more about it, we invited naturopath Danilo Ramon, who explained the benefits and taught us some ways to use this powerful little plant!
Table of Contents
8 Amazing Aloe Benefits
Aloe vera, scientifically known as Aloe barbadensis, is a well-known medicinal plant with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Its usage may aid in reducing dental plaque, hastening wound healing, preventing wrinkles, and regulating blood sugar levels, among other benefits. This thick, short-stemmed plant stores water in its leaves.
Here are 8 fantastic aloe vera benefits:
1. Acne scars
Aloe gel, that “drool” extracted from the inside of the leaves, is a natural and effective way to treat acne. This drying action of pimples happens, in the first place, because the plant is rich in antiseptic compounds. This means that it eliminates microorganisms from the skin.
It has six agents of the type, among which are: lupeol, salicylic acid (widely used in products to treat acne), cinnamic acid, and sulfur.
Thanks to this, it can prevent the proliferation of bacteria that naturally live on the skin’s surface and are responsible for causing acne.
Second, aloe vera is a potent anti-inflammatory, as advocated by the herbalist.
This causes the application of the product to decrease the blood flow being sent to the site and allows the application of the gel to alleviate the pain and swelling caused by the inflammation, even in severe acne cases.
2. Relieves the pain of rheumatism
Making a compress from the inside of aloe leaves can help relieve the pain caused by rheumatism, a generic name describing more than 100 diseases affecting the tendons and joints.
Danilo explains that this is because aloe has an anesthetic action, mainly “due to its high penetration capacity in the skin, thus causing pain blockage in the deeper layers,” he completes.
What’s more, the anti-inflammatory effect already described makes it treat the root of the problem in the case of diseases such as arthritis. Its use reduces inflammation and arthritis almost immediately.
Danilo indicates that it is used to alleviate the symptoms of this disease and joint muscle pain caused by overexertion.
3. Accelerates burn healing
Applying the drool taken from the leaves of the herb accelerates healing “due to its renewing and cellular protective action, which stimulates the renewal of tissues and epithelial cells,” points out Danilo.
It is also an anticoagulant that prevents bleeding and is essential for healing skin lesions.
Aloe induces the body to produce more fibroblasts, a type of cell, and collagen, a protein that gives firmness.
Because of this, there is a higher rate of re-epithelialization, which is the growth of new tissue to replace the one that died. To explain the power of this home remedy, aloe is effective even in treating 2nd and 3rd-degree burns, which reach the deepest layers of the skin.
The best part is that it also treats oral and genital herpes and lessens the appearance of the scars left by these sores.
And you know that burn after taking too much sun? Applying the gelzinho also relieves the burning sensation, refreshes the skin, and promotes faster recovery.
4. Stimulates hair growth
A study explained that aloe is a plant full of vitamins and amino acids. Many of them are part of the production process of new hair strands, such as vitamins A and K.
In addition, the gel increases the vascularization of the scalp, improving circulation and oxygenation in the region, which serves as a stimulus for the functioning of hair follicles.
The vitamins and water present inside the leaves hydrate and nourish the strands, and by keeping the strands healthy, there is a reduction in the fall caused by the breakage.
The pH of aloe is slightly acidic, at level 6, which is a very similar acidity to that of the scalp. Therefore, its nutrients can act more effectively and promote a stoppage of the fall from the root.
5. Prevents wrinkles
Aloe vera baba is a natural anti-wrinkle cream due to its effects on skin renewal, cited by Danilo.
What happens is that the increased production of collagen and fibroblasts it promotes makes the skin more elastic and less brittle. This makes the surface look smoother and smoother.
Amino acids, on the other hand, close pores, thus decreasing oiliness and increasing makeup durability. Finally, it is rich in water and is quickly absorbed. For this reason, it promotes deep and lasting hydration.
6. Stops dandruff
This gel is a natural way to end the problem of dandruff, scaling caused by seborrheic dermatitis, and caused by chronic inflammation or fungi that lodge in the scalp.
Aloe acts on both causes. The herbalist explains that the “antibiotic action [of the plant] helps eliminate the region’s fungi.” At the same time, it reduces the inflammatory process and alleviates the burning and itchy sensation resulting from it.
7. It helps your digestion
“Internally, it [aloe] has a powerful digestive action,” explains the professional. This potential is due to several types of enzymes, such as cellulase, catalase, and lipase, which lead to the release of stomach acid, which breaks down food.
He also pointed out that the plant protects the gastric mucosa and helps to treat ulcers and gastritis, main thanks to reducing inflammation and accelerating the re-epithelialization of wounds.
8. Treat constipation
To complete this list, another incredible benefit of aloe vera, pointed out by Danilo, is that it stimulates the functioning of the intestinal tract, where it acts as a natural laxative. Thus, it becomes an excellent remedy for treating 100% natural constipation.
It increases the sending of water to the intestines, stimulates the production of mucus that makes the stools softer and more slippery and amplifies the peristaltic movements, which the organ makes in an attempt to send the “poop” out of the body.
How to use aloe at home?
Directly apply fresh aloe gel onto your skin or create homemade beauty products. Aloe can also be consumed in food, smoothies, and drinks. Mix 2 tablespoons of aloe gel with every 1 cup of liquid to make aloe juice.
There are some other ways to use at home you must read:
Hair and skin treatments
There is no secret to using aloe vera in external treatments. Remove the gel from the inside of the leaves with the help of a sharp knife, and apply it to the desired area.
The professional indicates that the pure gel can be applied with the hands and massaging the scalp, in treatments for fall and dandruff, in length to moisturize, or on the skin to relieve pain. “In stings or wounds, put the gel on a cotton pad and apply it directly on the spot,” he teaches.
“Aloe can also be combined with various therapeutic substances and medicinal plants and is also widely used in topical mixtures, such as shampoos and soaps,” concludes the specialist in herbal medicine.
For consumption
It is usually drunk as juice, which can be made at home or purchased at stores specializing in herbal products.
However, according to Danilo, the ideal is always to seek previous herbal guidance. That’s because “using excessive doses can cause misuse and very severe reactions,” he warns.
Care and contraindications
Aloe should not, under any circumstances, be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it has toxic compounds for the fetus and child, who receive them through the placenta and breast milk.
Some people may be allergic to its components. Therefore, its use should be discontinued if you experience any irritating effects.
Excessive internal use can cause nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) and gastric irritation.
It should be noted that the plant can also interact with some types of medication, such as topical steroids, hydrocortisone ointment, diuretics, and certain medications for heart problems and blood glucose control.
Plant characteristics and how to grow
Aloe is a short plant, reaching a maximum of 90 centimeters in height, and with leaves, an average of 14 per foot, large, broad, and fleshy, with a firm gel texture inside. It multiplies through pieces of leaves or roots.
This species is easy to grow, as it grows in any soil, does not have deep roots, facilitates planting in pots, and does not need much care to develop.
But if you want a little foot close to you, plant it in a sunny location and water it whenever the soil is dry. At least six weeks after planting, it is possible to harvest the first leaves.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.