The Aloe Vera Plant: Benefits and Information

Though they look more like cactus plants, aloe vera plants are actually members of the lily family classified as succulents. The aloe vera plant was originally native to Egypt, and the ancient Egyptians were among the first people to use aloe vera for its ability to heal the body.

Though there are hundreds of varieties of aloe vera, only a few have healing properties. Aloe barbadensis miller is the aloe vera plant used in most commercial products, which range from creams and lotions to drinks to nutritional supplements. The products are made from the gel found inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant.

One of the most common uses of aloe vera gel is to make a topical cream to moisturize dry skin and keep it healthy. It is also used to heal cuts, burns, psoriasis, shingles, itching, and other skin conditions. It can penetrate several layers of tissue and has the ability to break down and digest dead cells. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can also alleviate the pain associated with these skin conditions by anesthetizing tissue.

Some studies suggest that aloe vera gel may have also properties that enhance the immune system. Many people use aloe vera juice, a popular tonic derived from aloe vera gel, to treat a range of ailments in addition to skin conditions. Aloe vera juice, like the gel from which it is derived, contains dozens of nutrients and hundreds of active compounds that give it its healing properties. Among the many other benefits attributed to aloe vera juice is the ability to act as a natural cleanser and detoxification agent.

Aloe vera also aids circulation by keeping capillaries dilated, and it is capable of enhancing the growth of normal cells as well. In addition, aloe vera juice has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The juice of the amazing aloe vera plant also normalizes metabolism and keeps blood sugar stable, and the list does not stop there. Nutritional and herbal regimens for healing a variety of ailments include aloe vera gel as an essential therapeutic component.

In addition to topical lotions and juice, aloe vera concentrate is available as a dietary supplement in the form of gel capsules that can be used as a laxative and to promote wound healing. To be effective, aloe vera capsules should be highly concentrated and contain 90-99% pure aloe vera.

The recommended dosage is one 25 mg soft gel up to three times per day. Concentrated aloe vera soft gels can be taken internally or squeezed directly onto skin and used topically to treat wounds.

What About Aloe Vera Side Effects?

Though some people may have allergic reactions to the plant or the gel, adverse effects from aloe vera are extremely rare. There is no known toxicity, and for most people, there are no adverse effects from the use of aloe vera products.

Because they are relatively easy to grow, many people keep aloe vera plants in their homes so the therapeutic gel is readily available. The plants need bright sunlight and light, well-drained soil to thrive. They should be watered less frequently in winter and fed a balanced liquid feed during the growing season (March-September).

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