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8 Most Amazing Benefits of Aloe vera

The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true. It grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America including Hawaii!

Aloe leaves contain the clear healing gel that is 96% water. The other four percent contains 75 potentially active substances including antioxidants, Vitamins A, B, C, and E, choline, B12, folic acid; calcium; amino acids for protein building; and enzymes used in the digestive system (1,2). The active ingredients hidden in its succulent leaves have the power to soothe human life and health in a myriad ways. This might be the reason the Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.” 

The plant has importance in everyday life to soothe a variety of skin ailments such as mild cuts, antidote for insect stings, bruises, poison ivy and eczema along with skin moisturizing, anti ageing and digestive tract health makes it a boon to human kind. Following is a list of some of the Aloe Vera benefits:

Healthy hair

Heals skin 

Moisturizing effect

Anti-aging agent

Helps in digestion

Boosts immunity

Detoxification

Laxative

1. Hydrates and strengthens hair and scalp: One of the greatest benefits of Aloe Vera is its beneficial effect on hair and skin. Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Aloe gel deeply nourishes the hair follicles and strengthens the roots with nutrients including the vitamins and minerals. Due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, aloe is also very effective for dandruff fighting. Moreover, the enzymes contained in the gel of aloe, eliminate the dead cells of the scalp (3), as well help the quick recovery of the skin tissue around the hair follicles. Click here to know more on how to tackle dry and itchy scalp naturally. Therefore, hair oils, such as Cakra hair potion, that contain aloe gel happen to be an excellent tonic for hair growth, scalp nourishment and dryness issues.

2. Heals skin problems: Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used its gel to treat soldiers wounds. Hormones present in aloe gel stimulate fibroblasts that boosts collagen production and its cross-linking for fast healing (4). Ayurveda recommends this healing herb for the treatment of various skin diseases, such as wounds, insect bites, bruises and eczema. Furthermore, the antiseptic property of Aloe vera, due to presence of six antiseptic agents namely lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulphur, inhibit the action of fungi, bacteria and viruses, thus helping the healing process (4). Aloe vera gel has also been reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin which makes it an effective remedy for sun burns (4). 

3. Moisturizing agent: The skin absorbs aloe vera up to four times faster than water; it is known to keep pores of the skin open and receive the moisture and nutrients of the plant.The Aloe gel gives a cooling effect and also acts as a moisturizing agent due to its muco-polysaccharides content which helps in binding moisture into the skin. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where aloe vera gel improves the skin integrity, decreases appearance of fine wrinkles and decreases erythema (rashes on skin) (1).

4. Amazing Anti-aging effect: In Sanskrit, Aloe Vera is called Ghrita - Kumari, which means „young girl”. This name is given to it because the Vedas believed that the plant gives the woman youth and it has a regeneration effect on the females. Aloe vera is used extensively as skin tonic in cosmetic industry. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled, the protein that controls the aging process of the skin and wrinkling. It also acts  on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids present in the gel also soften hardened skin cells and zinc mineral  acts as an astringent to tighten pores and rejuvenate aging skin. This property of Aloe is be- cause it’s biogenic material (4).

5.  Helps in digestion: Due to the high content of digestive  enzymes, as well as the presence of anti-inflammatory substances, aloe is absolutely a miracle herb for people who have problems with the digestive system. Drinking Aloe vera juice naturally detoxifies the whole digestive system, thus   resolves a wide range of digestive diseases.

6. Strengthens the immune system: The healing plant is a great immune stimulator because the polysaccharides (Alprogen) in the aloe juice stimulate the macrophages and the white blood cells that fight viruses (3).

7. Detoxifies the organism: Aloe Vera is a wonderful natural remedy for detoxification of the body. As Ayurveda recommends cleaning our systems from time to time, the regular use of aloe juice provides a rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, that support our organs cope with stress, oxidation and tension.

8. A great laxative: Anthraquinones present in Aloe latex are a potent laxative. Aloe vera juice is known to stimulate mucus secretion, increase intestinal water content and intestinal peristalsis that helps in cleaning the body (muscle contraction helps in cleaning) and in constipation. Aloe is often used during Virechana procedure. (It’s an Ayurvedic way of cleansing the body with the help of natural laxatives) (3,4).

Aloe vera is undoubtedly, the nature’s gift to humanity for cosmetic, burn and medicinal application.Researchers are continuing to discover new methods to o prove the effectiveness of aloe vera, which the Ayurvedic tradition has long been aware of. It remains for us to introduce it to ourselves and thank nature for its never-ending gift. 

Caution: Pregnant women and children under five should not take aloe vera internally. Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions, and in breastfeeding mothers, it may sometimes cause gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6684795/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4452276/

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf