Enhance Your Well-Being With Aloe
by Sheila McCormick on February 24th, 2010
Loading ...Aloe is often used as a houseplant that also offers useful medicinal properties in everyday life. Derived from ‘alloeh’ meaning bitter in Arabic, Aloe vera, grows in close to 240 varieties across the dry regions of Africa, Europe, Asia and America. The most popular form of Aloe that is used commercially is Aloe barbadensis miller.
It is a genus of plants of the Asphodelaceae family, related to the likes of onions and asparagus. Extracted from the aloe plant, Aloe vera has a multitude of medicinal properties and is thought to enhance the overall well-being of an individual, including many physical benefits and amazing healing abilities.
Aloe vera can be used in the direct form as it is obtained from the plant and in different type of products such as juices, gels, powders, cosmetics, shampoos and lotions.
Often called a magical plant, aloe vera has a huge range of properties and abilities that can enhance an individual’s well-being and offer varied health benefits. It derives its healing and medicinal properties from the 18 amino acids it carries. It contains many of the essential vitamins required on a daily basis. Aloe vera is also naturally rich in the following:
- Proteins
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Vitamins A, B 12 and E
- Vitamin C, helping in maintaining tone of blood vessels and ensuring good circulation and essential to the health of the adrenal gland which helps the body in time of stress
- Amino acids, that are chains of atoms constructing proteins in the body
- Enzymes, which rejuvenate aged tissues and promote healthy skin
Research provides adequate evidence of the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and restorative capabilities of aloe vera. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved aloe vera for the treatment of HIV, when used topically on abscesses.
The wound healing benefits of aloe vera make it one of the most popular topical remedies for common scars, cuts and burns. The juice from the aloe plant can be directly applied on burns and wounds for immediate relief. Key healing benefits of aloe, when applied externally include:
- Soothing burns
- Healing cuts, scalds, blisters, cold sores and rashes
- Healing insect-bites
- Healing sunburns
- Minimizing damage from frostbites
- Healing lesions caused due to psoriasis
- Reducing post-surgical recovery time
The most helpful benefits of aloe vera in skin and hair care include:
- Moisturizing the skin
- Reducing affects of aging
- Helping to treat dandruff and dermatitis
- Treating psoriasis and hair loss
Aloe vera offers a series of overall health benefits including a number of preventive as well as curative measures. These include:
- Periodontal benefits such as reduction in pain and inflammation arising from damaged or diseased gums and curing tooth decay
- Relief from gastrointestinal problems, kidney and ulcerous diseases, peptic, constipation, colitis, muscle pains, digestive disorders and the like
- Helps curtail the HIV infection and provides nutritional support to patients with HIV
- Reduces arthritic swelling
- Reduces blood sugar in diabetes
The natural detoxifying properties of aloe are highly effective in cleaning the digestive system as well as the circulatory system. A combination of an improved level of nutrient absorption along with improved circulation provides an impetus to the body, right on the cellular level, enhancing overall health. This also helps give the individual improved capability to fight infection. Aloe also has the natural ability to kill harmful bacteria.
Made from the aloe vera gel, aloe vera juice has an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effect on the human body. Experts suggest that consumption of 2-4 oz of aloe vera juice everyday can help an individual in maintaining good health. The main benefits of aloe vera juice can be summarized as:
- Detoxifies the blood stream
- Colon cleansing
- Provides relief from stomach, ulcers and intestinal problems
- Helps smooth functioning of digestive tract
- Improves blood circulation
- Provides help in dilating capillaries and aids cell growth
Meanwhile, a series of ongoing studies also point towards the possible benefits of Aloe vera to the heart.
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