For many years, aloe vera has been cultivated for its medicinal uses and healthy properties. So it is not surprising that it is one of the most commonly used plants to treat different conditions both internally and externally.
What is Aloe Vera used For?
Although the plant is composed of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers in the flowering season, what is taken advantage of are its leaves, known as “pencas,” in some Latin American countries. These, not only store water and nutrients, of which you get a gel that is where all the properties and benefits of aloe vera are.
The gel is the gelatinous substance found in the pulp inside the leaves. Formed mainly of water, mucilages and other carbohydrates, organic acids, and salts, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and various minerals. The topical application of aloe vera gel stimulates collagen proliferation, favoring healing and angiogenesis. All these substances provide the body with many nutrients important for their proper functioning, and although of plant origin, they are recognized by the organism as its own, being perfectly assimilated without producing any undesirable side effects.
From the leaf, the acybar, the yellowish-green liquid that secretes the plant, which contains analgesic and antibiotic properties, is also extracted. This is present in the ‘sap’ secreted by the cells between the skin and the gel.
This acíbar contains anthraquinones formed by aloin, emodine, barbaloin, and aloesine, a group of molecules known for their healing and toxic properties. Like any other molecule or food, in large quantities, it impairs the natural functioning of the body. In this case, the consumption of aloin can cause diarrhea, and function as a powerful laxative thanks to its ability to increase the movement of the intestines, reduce the absorption of nutrients, and reduction of colon tonicity. But one thing is certain: the group of anthraquinones in controlled quantities, have a healing, antibiotic, and exceptional detox power.
The topical application of the sage gel stimulates the proliferation of collagen, favoring healing and angiogenesis.
There are many uses that can be made with the aloe vera, do you want to know how to use the aloe vera?
Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera:
According to a study published in the Scientific Electronic Library of Mexico, aloe vera has numerous uses in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries; due to its functional, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties extracted from the gel. Adequate use of the plant is associated with the content of its bioactive components, microstructure, and methods to preserve and stabilize the products obtained from the gel.
The chemical components of aloe vera have given you the ability to treat different conditions or diseases in addition to helping improve the skin, improves defenses, preventing ulcers, prevents premature aging, it is an anticancer, anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol, improves digestion, and regulates blood sugar.
Thus, the most important medicinal uses of the aloe vera are:
- Helps heal burns thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties
- It’s a powerful healing agent. It removes dead skin cells and promotes tissue health.
- Removing hooks: is one of the most commonly used substances in the treatment of hooks because of its antibacterial power.
- Protect the skin from the damage caused by free radicals.
- Combat irritations and dermatitis, stimulating and strengthening collagen and elastin fibers.
- Herpes: relieves affected areas by reducing pain and preventing them from becoming infected.
- Prevent and help to disguise the uncomfortable stretch marks.
- The juice of this plant is especially indicated in cases of gingivitis, sores or other mouth conditions.
How To Use Aloe Vera?
Beauty shops, herbalists, and pharmacies have become the most visited places to find aloe vera in multiple formats, although the best-selling is the pure packaged gel. The most recommended thing is to be attentive to the concentration percentage of the gel, which should be close to 100%. A good clue is that the natural gel is transparent. It is also used as a component in numerous creams. Improvements may vary depending on the aloe extract they contain.
But if you prefer, you could also have a pot at home and thus enjoy all uses of the aloe vera directly from the plant. The aloe vera is a fairly noble plant, it needs little care besides being quite easy to treat. The most important thing is that you have it in a place where there is a lot of light because it is a consuming plant of sunlight.
Then, the first step will be to cut a small piece of the base of the leaf to remove the aloin and access the gel. Removing it is very important because it can be very irritating. A large glass or container with water is necessary and soak the leaves cut but not peeled (or each in a glass if they are very large). Leave the leaves soaked for 24 hours, but change the water two or three times throughout the day to remove the aloin.
The aloe vera is a fairly noble plant, it needs little care besides being quite easy to treat.
To cut the leaves, it is important and necessary to stop watering the plant at least 5 days before. Once that period has passed, cut the leaves as close as possible to the stem or base. It is advisable to cut the largest and that are located further away from the stem with a sharp knife or scissors, not those in the center of the plant, since they are the newest. Cut a small piece of the blade and remove the skin and thorns. There we will find a gelatinous and transparent tissue, the gel.
The gel can be applied directly to the skin, for example, on a burn or a scarred wound, providing numerous nutritional compounds to the skin. This method makes your properties not lost.