Aloe Vera
The Benefits of Aloe Vera
EWG RatingScientific Names: {Organic Aloe Barbadensis Juice}
Common Names: {Aloe, Aloe Vera, Aloe Extract}
Part of plant used: {outer leaf, inner leaf}
Did you know that your skin needs 22 essential elements to function correctly? Aloe contains 18 of them.
Aloe Vera uses are endless. Since ancient times, the pain of burns sustained from the sun or fire has been soothed by this plant.
Aloe is naturally cooling and has therapeutic properties. Moreover, it is a common ingredient in balms and lotions. So, adding it to makeup can help calm easily irritated and sensitive skin and improve facial clarity.
Additionally, it is also commonly added to shaving cream to help eliminate the sting of razor burn. However, Aloe's superior ability is to provide long-lasting hydration.
You can find it in many forms, from gels and powder to juice. It is mainly cold-pressed, where the "jelly" is extracted from the leaves. Additionally, the gel freeze-dried can produce a powder.
In short, Aloe Vera is easy to use; take the leaves, cut them open, and apply the juice.
Further, the minerals, hydrates, and nutrients stored in the Aloe plant leaves make it one of the best natural moisturizers available. In addition, hydrating polysaccharides, including Acetyl Mannans, in gel form without preservatives is the optimal format your skin prefers.
Best Aloe Vera Use
- Alleviating the itch or pain of bug bites
- Calms rashes and eczema
- Mixed with organic salts or sugars, a refreshing body scrub
- Soothe sunburns
- Takes the sting out of a grease burn
- Improves facial clarity
- Non-greasy hydrating lotions
- Reduces redness
Additional Uses
Some even consume aloe vera orally for its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, applied directly to the face, relieving an upset stomach, increased circulation, and stronger teeth, are just a few ways this wonder plant can be used.
Additionally, Aloe moisturizes, leaving your skin bright and your hair shiny and beautiful. Check out more organic skincare ingredients today.
People use Aloe in some home remedies to treat different ailments, including:
- burns
- asthma
- eczema
- psoriasis
- constipation
- coughing
- diabetes
- headaches
- ulcers
- mouth sores
- cold sores
- bloating
- discomfort
- stress
Historical Significance
Years ago, people often kept aloe vera plants in their homes to use for these home remedies. When someone was burned or their skin irritated, the simple solution was to cut off a piece of the plant and use the natural aloe gel to soothe the injury.
You can easily purchase Aloe Vera liquids and gels from the store in packaged bottles and tubes. Unfortunately, retailed versions of Aloe Vera are often not the gel straight from the plant but are often mixed with other ingredients or chemicals. The earliest known reference to Aloe came from a Sumerian tablet from 2100 BC, although the natural medicinal properties of this plant date back more than 4000 years.
Egyptians referred to the aloe plant as "The Plant of Immortality", while the Native Americans called it the "Wand of Heaven". Both cultures consider this plant great for its regenerative powers and nutrition.
Similarly, Aloe plants have appeared in the writings of ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese. Many of these cultures used it in wound healing. Egyptian queens even used the plant to enhance their physical beauty.
Sources:
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/aloevera
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/b/babosa+aloe+vera
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera