Aloe vera is a medicinal plant, also known as Aloe verawhich has various beneficial properties for health, as it helps heal wounds and burns, in addition to relieving constipation and preventing tooth decay.
In addition to that, this plant is used in various beauty treatments, mainly at the hair and skin level, as it removes makeup, prevents the appearance of wrinkles and stimulates hair growth.
Its scientific name is Aloe Vera and can be purchased in health food stores, pharmacies, municipal markets and supermarkets in the form of gels, creams, juices and capsules. In addition to this, it can be easily grown at home, since it does not need special care.
12 benefits of aloe vera
Aloe vera provides several benefits to the body, serving to:
1. Stimulate hair growth
Aloe vera has enzymes that help remove dead cells from the scalp, in addition to being an excellent source of hydration and minerals for the hair strands. In this way, hair grows faster and stronger.
How to use: Combine 2 egg whites with 2 to 3 spoons of the inner gel of the aloe leaves, mix well and apply to the hair, ensuring that the roots are well covered. Wait 5 minutes and remove with cold water and shampoo. See other tips to make hair grow faster.
2. Eliminate dandruff
Dandruff is made up of plaques of dead cells, so aloe vera can be used for its treatment as it contains enzymes that eliminate dead cells.
As wear: mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt. Use the mixture to massage your scalp for about 15 minutes. Let it sit for 30 more minutes and finally wash your hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo. This mask should be done only once a week.
3. Treat reflux and gastritis
Due to its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, aloe vera is a good home remedy to treat reflux and gastritis, relieving symptoms such as burning, excess gas, nausea and stomach pain. Learn about other recommended home remedies for reflux and gastritis.
How to use: To relieve reflux and gastritis, you can prepare aloe vera juice by mixing 100 g of aloe vera gel and 1 liter of water in a blender, and drinking up to 3 glasses (100 ml) of this juice per day.
4. Fight hair loss
Aloe vera helps in the production of collagen and, therefore, helps fix the hair strands to the scalp, preventing hair loss. In addition, this plant has minerals and water, strengthening the entire strand, making it stronger and less brittle.
As wear: Combine 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, mix well and apply to all hair. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove it with cold water and shampoo. Repeat this process only once a week.
5. Avoid skin infections
Aloe vera, in the form of a cream or gel, prevents skin infections due to its high content of polyphenols, antioxidant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action that inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause infections. Therefore, it could help in healing wounds, treating burns and ulcers.
How to use: Clean the area to be treated well and apply the aloe vera gel with gauze or cotton on the affected area 3 times a day.
6. Remove makeup from the face
Aloe vera is a natural way to remove makeup from the skin, as it does not contain chemicals and hydrates the skin while relieving irritation caused by makeup substances.
How to use: Place a little of the aloe leaf gel on a piece of cotton and then lightly rub it over the regions of the face with makeup. Finally, wash your face with warm water and a neutral soap.
7. Fight wrinkles
This plant has properties that stimulate the production of collagen by the skin, which is the substance responsible for maintaining its elasticity. So when used regularly, aloe vera can reduce the degree of wrinkles and even eliminate some expression marks in the eyes, forehead or mouth. Learn more about collagen, what it is and what it is for.
As wear: apply with your fingers a small portion of aloe vera gel on the places where wrinkles and expression marks are found, such as in the eyes, around the lips or on the forehead. Do a light massage on these places and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, remove with cold water and neutral soap.
8. Prevent cavities
It is indicated that aloe vera can be used as a mouthwash to reduce dental plaque, which is a colorless, sticky film, composed of bacteria and sugars that forms and adheres to the teeth, the main cause of the development of cavities and gum problems.
In addition to that, aloe vera mouthwash helps relieve mouth wounds, canker sores, or burns on the tongue caused by hot food.
How to use: To make aloe vera mouthwash, mix aloe vera gel with a glass of warm water and shake well until completely dissolved. Finally add a pinch of baking soda. Do the mouthwash 2 to 3 times a day.
9. Reduce constipation
Because it has prebiotic action, this plant helps stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, balancing the intestinal flora and improving its functioning.
How to use: You can drink up to 3 glasses (100 ml) of aloe vera juice per day. If necessary, you can also add 1 tablespoon of honey and a fruit, such as lemon or orange, to improve the flavor of the drink. Learn more benefits of aloe vera juice.
In addition to that, you can use capsules of Aloe verawhose daily recommendation is one capsule per day before lunch, being used only under the doctor’s guidance.
10. Control diabetes
Aloe vera can help control diabetes, since this medicinal plant improves insulin sensitivity, balancing blood glucose levels.
However, more human studies are needed to confirm the benefits of aloe vera in diabetes management.
How to use: You can take up to 200 ml of aloe vera juice up to 3 times a day, since larger quantities can have the opposite effect and cause stomach irritation.
11. Relieve skin irritations
Applying aloe vera gel to the skin provides quick relief from itching and burns related to prolonged sun exposure.
In addition, aloe vera can also be used in the treatment of psoriasis, dermatitis and oral mucositis, as it helps reduce itching, peeling and redness.
How to use: Cut a portion of the aloe vera leaf, extract the gel and apply it directly to the area to be treated 3 times a day. In the case of cracked nipples, apply Aloe vera gel to the affected area after breastfeeding.
12. Lighten the skin
Aloe vera contains aloin and aloesin, substances with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, which reduce or prevent pigmentation, helping to lighten the skin naturally, making it a good option as a home remedy for dark spots or melasma. See other home remedies to eliminate skin spots.
How to use: Cut the aloe vera leaf, extract the gel inside and apply, with gauze or cotton, the aloe vera gel to the area you want to lighten, leaving it to act for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
What is aloe vera good for?
Aloe vera provides powerful benefits to the skin and hair, because it contains mucilaginous substances and quercetin that work as an emollient and renew damaged skin cells. It also has polysaccharides and plant hormones responsible for stimulating and hydrating the cells. .
He Aloe vera Because it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, B, C and E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc and mannose phosphate, the latter acts on tissue growth providing a healing effect, as well as helping to strengthen the immune system.
In addition to being a great ally for hair and skin health, aloe vera can also be used to treat problems such as anemia, arthritis, headache, muscle pain, wounds, flu, insomnia, athlete’s foot, and in inflammatory processes. , constipation and digestive problems.
Properties of aloe vera
The health benefits that aloe vera provides are due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, regenerating, healing, moisturizing, emollient, immunological, digestive, prebiotic, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Side effects
Sometimes, consumption of aloe vera can cause cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, red urine, liver problems and hypokalemia, a condition caused by a lack of potassium in the blood, causing symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, tingling, numbness and cardiac arrhythmia.
Using aloe vera on the skin can cause redness, dermatitis and a burning sensation in some people, which could be related to the presence of anthraquinone residues in the gel used.
Contraindications
The internal use of aloe vera is contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, pregnant women and during lactation, as well as in people with diarrhea, liver problems, intestinal obstructions or stenosis, atonia (lack of normal muscle movement), appendicitis, kidney disease. Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, unexplained belly pain, or severe dehydration.
It is also very important to verify if the aloe vera is of the type Barbadensis millersince this is the most suitable for human use, since the others can be toxic and should not be consumed.