13 Health benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera, the ‘plant of immortality’ is known for its health benefits since ancient times. That's right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant's moist middle practically for different purpoeses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called aloe vera the "Wand of the Heaven."

Aloe Vera is really quite an incredible plant. It is a succulent plant and part of the lily family (Liliaceae), the same family that garlic and onions belong to. Different parts of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both internal and external applications.  This nontoxic plant stores water in its leaves and survives in low rainfall and dry regions. Aloe vera leaf has a unique look with no stem and has spear like spikes which is protected by serrated edges.

Aloe Vera consist as much as 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 active enzymes. Aloe Vera is considered to be a miracle plant and has numerous skin, health and hair benefits. It is being used as a key ingredient in foods and in energy drinks. Aloe vera comes in a variety of forms.

Health benefits of Aloe Vera

1)Boosts your Immune System

This wonderful plant is full of antioxidants, also known as natural immunity enhancers, which help to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause several diseases and ailments which speeds up the ageing process. Consuming aloe vera juice regularly boosts immune system.

2) Full of vitamins and minerals

 Aloe Vera contains a multitude of vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, B1, B2, B3, B6 and is one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12, which helps with brain and nervous system function. It is also mineral-rich, containing calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, and potassium, as well as being packed with amino and fatty acids - all helpful in beating indigestion.

4) Contains a handful of amino and fatty acidsAmino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body and it is said that 8 of these are essential. Aloe contains 18 amino acids, with all 8 essential amino acids.

Alove Vera also includes quite an impressive range of fatty acids. Aloe contains three plant sterols, which are important fatty acids- HCL cholesterol (which lowers fats in the blood), campesterol, and B-sitosterol. All are helpful in reducing symptoms of allergies and acid indigestion. Other fatty acids include linoleic, linolenic, myristic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic.

5) Helps in reducing caner tumors

There is early evidence that oral aloe may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. Further research is needed in this area to clarify if it is aloe itself or other factors that may cause this benefit. Personally, I believe that anyone wishing to prevent or cure cancer should seriously investigate aloe vera as part of their recipe for eliminating cancer for life.

Aloe vera is the best internal medicine for the treatment of colon polyps. It soothes the intestinal tract and helps heal pre-cancerous lesions or growths. In fact, a raw juice diet using vegetable and fruit juices combined with aloe vera gel is practically a miracle cure for early-stage colon cancer. Think of it as a raw juice fast + aloe vera. It's a very powerful cleansing recipe.

6) Anti viral, antiseptic, anti fungal
Aloe Vera’s active ingredients are sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and act as a team to provide antimicrobial activity thus eliminating many internal and external infections, also active against bacteria. It also helps to treat fungal and viral infections.

7) Helps in Digestion
A properly functioning digestive tract is the key to good health, Poor digestion is linked to many diseases. Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion and regulates your elimination cycles. It’s been a great remedy for people with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux. 

8) Aloe Vera is an Adaptogen

An adaptogen is something that boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. It is thought that aloe’s power as an adaptogen balances the body’s system, stimulating the defense and adaptive mechanisms of the body. This allows you an increased ability to cope with stress (physical, emotional and environmental stress like pollution)

9) Helps in respiratory disorders

This versatile plant is also useful for treating respiratory disorders and is particularly useful for those who get frequent attacks of cold, flu, bronchitis herpes, running nose and other respiratory disorders.

10) Helps to maintain healthy gums and mouth

Aloe vera juice also helps in maintaining healthy gums and mouth. Its natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial actions promote cell growth and healing. Aloe vera gels are also used in a variety of tooth gels which prevent bleeding gums and mouth ulcers. It also provides quick relief to people who experience burning mouth symptoms. Its antifungal properties help greatly in the problem of denture stomatitis, apthous ulcers, cracked and split corners of the mouth.

11) Heart Health

Some research shows that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, greatly multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of the red blood cells, a study published in the 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol helps to lower cholesterol. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and oxidation of the blood, lowering cholesterol, and making blood less sticky, drinking Aloe Vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease.

12) Helps in skin care
Aloe vera has several properties that are effective in treating a variety of skin conditions like flaky or dry skin, cosmetic ailments, and hair and scalp problems. Due to its many uses and benefits to the skin and hair, aloe vera has now gained more popularity and has become a staple ingredient in many beauty and skin care products. 

Drinking aloe vera juice supplies body with essential nutrients which help to produce and maintain healthy skin. It promotes the removal of dead cells and replenishes it with new ones, giving the skin a radiant glow.

The anti-allergic property of aloe vera is useful in the treatment of various skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, itchy skin and so on. They are helpful in curing blisters, insect bites and other allergic reactions as well. Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory property helps to reduce acne greatly.

Aloe vera with its powerful healing capability helps to treat sun burn at the epithelial level of the skin. It contains anti-oxidants like beta carotene, vitamins C and E that improve the natural firmness of skin. It keeps the skin hydrated and improves the skin elasticity, therefore minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

13) Helps in hair care

Aloe vera contains enzymes that promote hair growth. The proteolitic enzymes found in aloe vera help to eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp. Aloe vera’s keratolic action breaks down the sebum and dead scalp cells. Aloe vera’s alkalizing properties balances the pH level of the scalp and hair which results in further hair growth and retains moisture in the scalp.

Aloe vera is a great conditioning agent that restores the hair’s shine and luster, and leaves the hair silky and smooth.The essential nutrients and vitamins found in aloe vera makes it an indispensable material for shampoos and conditioner. These vitamins and minerals aid in restoring hair’s strength and beauty. Aloe vera gel is a perfect rinse for oily hair without making the hair brittle. Aloe vera gel also repairs dry and damaged hair in a short span of time. regular usage can help to improve male pattern baldness. It also helps in etchy scalp, dandruff and scalp dryness.