10 Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

There are numerous benefits of aloe vera to the human body, has been used for centuries and has a unique history which you will be astonished to know. So, without any delay let’s take a glance at aloe vera!

Brief about Aloe Vera

Aloe vera origins are found in Africa(Sudan) and it is extensively found in different temperate and tropical regions of the world like America, Australia, Nigeria, etc. It used to be and is still extensively used in the Indian Medicine System.

Aloe vera is made from the words “Aloe” which is derived from the arabic word, “Alloeh” which means “a substance with shining bitter character” and “Vera” which is a latin word meaning “true”. Aloe vera is called “Ghritkumari” in sanskrit where “Kumari” means “young girl” and it is named so because it was believed that consumption of aloe vera brings youthful energy of a young girl.

Aloe vera leaves are triangular and edgy has mainly three parts:

(1) The skin which is green in colour, contains carbohydrates and protein.

(2) The gel which is inside the aloe vera leaves, contains 99% water and the rest contains glucomannans, acemannans, amino acids, lipids, vitamins and sterols.

(3) And there is a yellow sap between the gel and skin of the aloe vera which is known as latex and contains anthraquinones and glycosides.

Mind Boggling Facts about Aloe Vera

1) The mentor and childhood tutor of Alexander the Great, Aristotle once asked him to capture the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean solely for the reason that it was rich in aloe vera and those plants can be used by them to heal their wounded soldiers.

2) The Egyptian Queens such as Nefertiti and Cleopatra also used to use aloe vera in their skin care routine and it was responsible for their enchanting beauty and youthfulness.

3) Great ancient physicians like Cayo Plinio Segundo(Pliny the Elder), Aulus Cornelius Celsus(Celsus), Aelius Galenus Claudius(Galen), King Soloman, etc., vastly used aloe vera for numerous medical treatments and stressed the importance of it.

4) Studies have found that aloe vera has more than 75 nutrients, more than 200 active compounds, approximately 20 minerals, various amino acids, vitamins and enzymes.

Our ancients knew the significance of aloe vera’s miraculous benefits and as well as the scientific studies which are happening all around the world are now proving them. Let’s find out what these are! 

10 Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera

1. Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin

The shelves of most shops and stores are dominated with aloe vera products, have you ever wondered why? Aloe vera is one of the most commonly used ingredients in cosmetology and beautification because it possess properties like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, promotes collagen synthesis.

Moreover it is the safest to use as it is non-toxic which makes it best for utilization of it in the form of moisturizer, face wash, face pack, etc. and helps in dealing with acne, dark spots, hyper-pigmentation, sunburn and other skin issues.

Aloe vera has radiation-protective capability due to its antioxidant protein, metallothionein. It scavenges hydroxyl radicals, prevents prevents suppression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and reduces the production of skin keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive cytokines, hence prevents UV-induced suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity. 

2. Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair

Aloe vera gel is even recommended to be used on the hair as it contains numerous vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, B12, folic acid and many other compounds which soothe and help to tackle hair problems like itchy scalp, dry scalp and even promote hair growth. Benefits of Neem to the Human Body and the Nature

3. Benefits of Aloe Vera for Dental and Oral Hygiene

Nowadays, many companies are producing aloe vera based toothpastes and mouthwashes because they are aware of the fact it possesses properties like anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, etc., which gives relief to problems like swelling and bleeding gums, bad breath, etc., maintains oral hygiene as well as keeping dental health on check.

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research reviewed 15 studies and found improvement in patients with oral mucosal diseases. 

4. Benefits of Aloe Vera for Digestive System

Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation and other stomach related issues are often strongly recommended to consume aloe vera juice as aloe vera has a yellow layer, known latex in it.

It works as a laxative because it has compounds like anthraquinone and glycosides which helps a lot in handling such issues. Aloe vera increases intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretion and increases intestinal peristalsis.

Also a study found that aloe vera syrup(10 ml/day) for 4 weeks reduced the frequency of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux diseases including heart burn, dysphagia, etc., without causing any adverse effects. 

But despite its advantages it is often warned to pregnant women, women going through the menstrual cycle, nursing mothers and kids to keep distance from this latex.

5. Anti-Cancer Effect

Aloe vera also has anti-cancer/anti-carcinogenic ability. A study published in the East African Health Research Journal reviewed different research and found that aloe vera or its compounds acted well against many types of  cancer including breast carcinoma, colon cancer, lung cancer and so on.

Moreover, the review stated that aloe vera or at least 1 of its compounds could interrupt the pro-growth signalling pathways of cancer. 

Another study in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention showed that aloe vera may be an effective anti-neoplastic agent to inhibit cancer cell growth and increases the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs like cisplatin. 

6. Anti-Diabetic Effect

Aloe vera has shown a positive effect on diabetes. A publication in Journal of Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine (J-AIM) showed that aloe vera helped to improve the glucose and lipid profile status in diabetic patients. 

Another study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders tested 72 subjects with pre-diabetes symptoms and found, that the people who were given aloe vera 300 mg showed a significant decrement in FBS (Fasting Blood Glucose) levels and the group with aloe vera 500 mg also showed a reduction in LDL-C and TC and improvement in HDL-C after 8 weeks. 

7. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Journal of Food Science and Technology found that aloe vera helps to improve the lipid profile of an individual. It helps in reducing serum cholesterol, tri-glycerides and also increases the level of HDL-C (High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol). 

 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed that aloe vera also has beneficial effects on the prevention of fatty streak development. 

8. Natural First-Aid Box

Aloe vera is been used from ages to heal minor wounds, burns, cuts and bruises as it has compounds like glucomannan, acemannan, etc., which helps increasing collagen and also due to the presence of its other properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, etc., it boosts the recovery of such injuries.

9. Fights several diseases

Aloe vera also has the potential of reducing various diseases like acidity, indigestion, ulcers, liver infection, intestinal infection, HIV, cancer, diabetes, etc., to a certain degree and also it is recommended for heart patients.

But studies have not conclusively proven them and cannot be recommended as a safe alternative to authentic mode of treatment, however still consuming it is beneficial and safe.

10. Promotes Bone Health

Some in vitro studies have found a little evidence that aloe vera compounds may have a potential protective effect on bone pathogenesis. Moreover, aloe vera has also been shown beneficial in the case of osteoporosis and osteopenia disorders. However, more detailed research is required. 

Forms of Aloe Vera Consumption

There are primarily two forms of consumption of aloe vera:

(1) Aloe vera gel which is applied on skin and hair. (2) Aloe vera juice is also a way of consumption.

Takeaway

All in all, aloe vera is one of the most beneficial and non-toxic herbs that is almost recommended to all types of individuals including patients and should be incorporated by everyone in their daily lifestyle and experience the internal improvement of your body because of it. The benefits of aloe vera are so vital that even the historic people were fond of using it.