Did you ever wish for a special something that could zap all your problems away? Guess what, there is! Well, it can’t fix a broken heart or your boss, if your mind just shot to that 🙂 . However, most of your pesky health issues can be resolved with nature’s super fighter – aloe vera. It single-handedly offers antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Not only that, it is nature’s own blood purifier.
Aloe vera is one of nature’s all rounders. It releases oxygen at night unlike most other plants while purifying the air of indoor toxins. This plant is perfect for your bedroom to get restful sleep and enhanced wellbeing. You can read more about it in 7 Plants to Purify and Clean Air Indoors. Coming back to the benefits of using aloe gel or juice, let’s explore these 7 specialties.
7 Wonderful uses of Aloe Vera
-
Detox:
Aloe vera is celebrated as a natural blood purifier. It washes the impurities and toxins away from our body making us feel more energized, full of vim and vigor along with enhanced mood. Aloe vera helps our kidneys and liver function better for natural detoxification. Also, it contains vitamins A, C and E, which help aloe vera act as an antioxidant in it’s own right. You can mix a tablespoon of aloe juice to your regular detox drinks for added detox benefits.
-
Weight loss:
Aloe vera helps improve our body’s metabolism with it’s phytosterols. And we all know that a healthy metabolism translates better fat loss and a fit body. Not only this, it improves our body’s digestive health helping break down fat better. You can drink a teaspoon full of aloe vera juice mixed with half a glass of lukewarm water and 1 teaspoon lemon every morning on empty stomach. This drink has multiple health and beauty benefits too apart from helping you reach your ideal BMI.
If you would like something a bit more palatable, try the pineapple post-lunch drink. Put a slice of pineapple, half a cup orange juice and a tablespoon full of aloe vera juice in the blender to make a smoothie. Sip on this for improved digestion and weight loss. Remember to take a 2-week siesta between each 10-day juice routine.
-
Digestive health:
If you get frequent heartburn and acid reflux, instead of reaching for the next antacid, try aloe vera juice. It helps with IBS and improves digestive capacity of our gastrointestinal system. It’s amylase and lipase contents help break down fat and sugar better. Also, it’s salicyclic acid helps control inflammation in stomach and the organs around it. It gently and naturally cleanses the colon too.
-
Topical medicine:
Pure aloe gel helps heal bug bites, sunburn, mild cuts and burns, and even rashes. It contains aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides that have antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. You can keep aloe vera gel as a handy ointment for everyday cuts, burns, bruises, rashes and whatnot. It even helps with chapped lips, acne and cracked heels.
-
Hair:
Here, aloe vera can help in many ways. You can start by replacing your chemical hair fixer with aloe gel to keep your updos in perfect condition. It can be used along with your regular shampoo to better control scalp itching or dandruff. You can even use aloe juice as a leave-in conditioner. This multi-beneficial wonder has antifungal properties and it also balances the pH level of skin helping control dandruff better. If you want to go the whole way, use it as an overnight mask mixed with your favorite hair oil. Wash it off in the morning for truly moisturized, soft, shiny and silky hair. One of the main reasons of hair fall is poor digestive health. So, you might want to add drinking aloe vera juice once a day to your aloe vera-centric hair care regimen.
-
Skin:
Most of our skin complaints can be handled effectively with aloe vera. For instance, it’s anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties can not only reduce the inflammation and swelling of acne breakouts, but also help reduce the scars to a large extent. It can be mixed with vitamin E oil and applied daily to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Aloe vera cleanses our skin of free radicals that promote the appearance of wrinkles. Mix it with honey and vitamin E oil applied as a 15-minute mask for best effect.
To clear skin blemishes, use 1 part lemon and 3 parts aloe vera as a 20-minute mask. This mixture can also be applied around the eyes to reduce dark circles and puffy eyes. But, take care not to get any into the eyes. Cracked heels and rough elbows too can be treated with this wonder gel.
-
Lips and Lashes:
For chapped lips or even for daily care of your pout, try out the aloe vera lip balm. Mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Apply daily and store it in the refrigerator when done. Aloe vera can help achieve thick and long lashes too. Mix equal quantities of aloe gel and vitamin E oil with double the amount of castor oil. Using a clean mascara wand, apply it daily to your lashes. This can also be used for thick and healthy eyebrows. Massage brittle nails with aloe vera mixed with vitamin E oil for stronger talons.
I feel, steering closer to a natural way of life helps us be healthier, happier and more peaceful. Toxins contribute much to our negative outlook on life with askew chemical production in our body. Aloe vera is one of the many products that nature holds for us to help combat many of the negative side effects of modern living. Even ancient Egyptians knew about the multifaceted benefits of this wonder plant. Shift aside some of those jars and bottles in your medicine cabinet to make way for a humble portion of aloe vera and see the difference! Live healthy to stay happy.
So, how do you use your aloe vera? Have you ever tried harvesting one or do you buy the gel over-the-counter?