Introducing Aloe Vera - Great For Your Garden, Skin, And Health
You likely have a passing acquaintance with aloe, whether you’ve used a commercial preparation as a burn remedy or grown a spiky aloe vera plant to accent your landscape or garden.
If you’ve only been using aloe as a simple remedy or ornamental, you may be missing out; the plant has many uses and is particularly good as a topical remedy for sensitive or irritated skin.
What is Aloe?
Aloe vera is a heavy, dense plant that is considered a succulent. You won’t find any soft foliage here, just broad, fat spikes that are filled with a clear gel. Snap off the end of one of the dense spikes and you’ll find a cooling gel that is ready to use as a quick home skin remedy. You’ll also find a thick, gooey pulp that can be processed into soaps, skin lotions and other topical treatments.
Even a small aloe plant can add interest to a sunny windowsill or garden. Since aloe can grow to be 4 feet tall and almost as wide, you’ll eventually need to move it outdoors. Aloe is often used as an integral and useful part of the landscaping in hot or dry climates, thanks to its easy care and low watering demands. Aloe has many uses, and for soap makers, people with sensitive skin or with a chronic skin condition like psoriasis, an onsite aloe plant can be a constant source of skin soothing gel, in fact there are many home remedies for psoriasis that use aloe.
Using Aloe
First Aid: Aloe’s first and best use is for soothing minor burns, including sunburn. As a first aid ointment, the gel can be used directly from the plant – simply snap off the top of a leaf and apply to the skin. Aloe has been scientifically proven to help soothe the pain and inflammation of mild burns and injuries, and is an essential part of any natural first aid kit. Preparations made with aloe will have the same effect, provided they contain actual aloe in a measurable quantity. It is awesome as a razor burn treatment.
Skin Conditions: According to the University of Maryland, aloe can help relieve the discomfort of some chronic skin conditions including, psoriasis, eczema and some types of herpes, though it will not cure these conditions. The rash and itch of poison ivy can often be reduced with regular applications of aloe as well.
Special Aloe Vera Based Gel to Help with Burns, Cuts and Skin Irritations
Pure-Heal Gel is a 100% safe and natural topical aloe based gel that helps to support and soothe the skin after minor mishaps and everyday insect bites. Pure-Heal Gel has been formulated as a natural companion to our effective Pure-Clenz Solution ™ – for complete care of your family’s skin.
Learn more about Pure-Heal Gel here!
Edible Aloe: As recently as the 1950’s aloe was used as a digestive treatment; it has a laxative effect. Today, it is not recommended to consume aloe right from the plant; the pulpy latex once used as a laxative can cause stomach pains and cramping, so this practice is not recommended. Commercial aloe juices and powders do not contain the pulp that can cause this side effect, and are safe to consume.
Aloe in soaps and preparations: If you enjoy crafting or creating your own bath and body materials, aloe is an important addition to your craft supply cabinet. The thick pulp found inside an aloe leaf can be blended and added to the liquid used to make cold or hot processed soap, while the gel can be added to lotion and balm recipes.
The easiest and best way to use aloe is to simply keep a plant handy, either in your garden or in your home, and snap off a piece when you need it.
Author Bio: Adam Thompson is the manager of ViJuvenate Health Foods, an ecommerce store specializing in organic and healthy foods and supplements.
Awesome! I just love Aloe Vera. It is so magical and therapeutic. It is such a good example of how in nature we are so connected with each other and every living thing. Aloe Vera seems like it was just meant for helping us in our health. What a wonderful plant it is.
Totally agree, one of my favs too!
I do exactly what the article describes; snip off a bit of aloe and apply it as a conclusion to my weekly facial. It absorbs readily, makes a soothing post-script to my facial peels and scrubs, and leaves my skin with a glow not to be found outside of nature. Aloe has been an essential part of my weekly facial since my twenties. I am now in my fifties and people still comment on my youthful skin..