It cleanses the stomach, is a treatment for boils, good for dry itchy skin irritation, heals bruises, stops hair loss, alleviates mouth ulcers, stops bleeding of wounds, heals tonsillitis, diseases of the eyes and these are just a few of its superficial cures.
It is not the latest breakthrough pharmaceutical research based molecule, but an inexpensive plant you can grow in your backyard.
We believe in marketed medicines plainly because they are marketed and are prescribed by our physicians. What about benefits of plant medicines, that are abundantly available, are inexpensive, actually work and cause no untoward effects. The usage of which is safe and you are assured that you aren’t pumping harmful chemicals in your blood streams.
This plant has been in use since ancient systems of medicine in the civilizations of Persia, Egypt Greece, Italy and India, when physicians swore by its medicinal and cosmetic benefits.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is definitely not a new name, as many Aloe vera products(pure gel and derived products) are available in the market.(I won’t comment on them, as I haven’t used them)
One need not necessarily rely on commercial Aloe vera preparations, as cultivating the herb at home itself can avail of the claims they make. Nothing can be as good as having your own Aloe vera plant at home and using it straight out of there. The plant is easily available at most nurseries in Bombay(though I got mine from Nasik) Here, it goes by the local name of kvarphad(hope I got that right).
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Easily cultivated at home
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Plant it, water it once early morning, and that’s it. All you have to do later is cut and eat/ apply. Small branches coming out of its sides can be cut and replanted. Aloe vera is shade-loving and may wilt in the harsh sun, reducing the gel content in the leaves. You will notice that Aloe Vera is zero maintenance herb.(I do not have a green thumb and get extremely impatient tending plants)
The gel, the sap, the skin, the roots each part of the plant is beneficial. Predominantly, the first three parts are antibacterial, anti aging, anti fungal, laxative, energizing, possess wound healing and anti-inflammatory qualities. Apply on the hair, on the skin, eat the gel/juice, the sap and see the results.
Though I'd love to show-off by getting into phyto-chemistry of the plant constituents, enlisting what each chemical contained in the gel does, something I hate spreading is boredom.
Aloe Vera is one of the only known sources of natural vitamin B-12(outside of animal sources). For vegetarians, this is especially important. It is also eaten as a vegetable, though have never tried that.(I'm a pure non-vegetarian)
SO WHAT DOES IT DO ANYWAY?
While personally I have been using this plant simply for its energizing properties the following are the vast array of benefits aloe vera has to offer
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HEALTH BENEFITS
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In arthritis relief can be obtained from drinking two to four tablespoons of gel daily. The treatment is to be continued for at least two months before considering whether it is beneficial or not. When the severe pain is arrested the dose can be reduced to half.
Digestive System(juice, gel consumed orally)
Aloe vera gel/juice consumed orally reduces acidity, detoxes, reduces pH levels to alleviates heartburn, cleanses the colon hence alleviates constipation. Aloe vera is commonly used to purgation and internal cleansing, reduces the inflammation of the digestive tract associated with Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, some types of Peptic Ulcers.
Superficial wounds
On topical application Aloe vera gel fastens healing of mouth ulcers, burns, and boils. The gel soothes the itching associated with insect bites and stings. It accelerates the healing of wounds and prevents infections.
Fatigue
The gel has a remarkably beneficial effect on chronic fatigue syndrome, other chronic infections, fever and muscle aches.
Immune System(Juice/sap consumed orally)
Aloe vera reduces tumour mass in certain cancers. It is known to inhibit virus that cause influenza, measles and kill tuberculosis bacteriae. Aloe vera is being researched to control or kill many other retro viruses, including the viruses that cause the common cold, measles, mumps, chicken pox, flu, and other viral diseases.
Early and ongoing research shows Aloe Vera stopped progress of AIDS, acts as an immunization against HIV, and stops the replication of HIV virus in infected individuals
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COSMETIC BENEFITS
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Aloe is by far the most popular cosmetic and toiletry plant ingredient.
Topical application of Aloe vera gel temporarily improves the appearance of the Skin and cleanses it, clears acne, alleviates sunburn and prevents detrimental bacteria and fungi from penetrating the skin.
Aloe vera is added in shave creams and gels to soften the beard.
People with extra sensitive face skins must do a skin test even with natural aloe vera.
Application of the gel on your hair for a few minutes before a bath imparts a shine to hair, and makes the hair healthier.
Any product containing at least 70% Aloe Vera is beneficial to the good health of the hair and scalp, for skin benefits the concentration must be 25 - 40%
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USAGE METHODS
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The benefits can be obtained by eating the gel, but don't leave away the yellowish sap that oozes out when the leaves are cut. The cosmetic benefits are attained by application of gel/sap on skin/scalp/hair.
The sap has the maximum therapeutic value, so also the green covering of the leaves. Next comes the gel, the active healing constituents are present in a higher concentration in the sap rather than in the gel.
Leaves may be pulverized, boiled and the water consumed. The sap and the green cover are extremely bitter.
Have Aloes gel/sap on an empty stomach, early in the morning, there is no harm mixing honey, or sweet cream with it to make it more palatable.
But if I may suggest, have it as it is, in one go and be done with it. The more you try to savour it, the worse it will taste.
Besides, all the above uses, I recommend it strongly as an invigorating tonic to be consumed first thing in the morning. This will see you through a particularly hectic day(which is almost everyday), at the end of which you will be morning fresh and jumpy all over again.
Live healthy!
