What is Aloe Vera and How Can it Help You?
You may have seen Aloe Vera advertisements on TV, in magazines, and even online; you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. After all, Aloe Vera is known as a "miracle plant" for its ability to soothe burns and cut pain. But aloe vera as a skin care product does have quite a few handy uses; it is certainly more than just an ordinary household plant. Chock full of essential nutrients and minerals, it is used both internally and externally, and there are actually a host of Aloe Vera benefits for the skin.
Perhaps one of the most important of Aloe Vera benefits is its ability to provide your body with natural antioxidants. Free radicals build up in our bodies as a result of exposure to the sun, air pollution, toxins, and harmful chemicals in our foods. This can cause a variety of ailments, some of which may be permanent or temporary. By drinking Aloe Vera juice, you are providing your body with antioxidants that will help to reduce the likelihood of premature aging and disease.
For people who suffer from some form of diabetes, Aloe Vera juice is wonderful for lowering blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Aloe Vera juice can reduce blood sugar levels by as much as half a degree. In addition to this, Aloe Vera juice has been used by many diabetics to reduce the effects of wounds, such as minor burns, that do not heal. Aloe Vera juice can also help reduce skin ulcers and relieve itching and burning on the scalp as well.
Aloe Vera can also be used to heal minor wounds and infections. One of the most common uses for Aloe Vera is for warts and skin care. You can apply Aloe Vera directly to the wart or you can buy a cream that contains Aloe Vera and other ingredients such as Vitamin A, E and C which work synergistically to heal the wart or skin infection. As well, Aloe Vera juice can be applied to cuts or scrapes as it contains high levels of nutrients that are effective in improving circulation.
Research has also shown that Aloe Vera can provide relief to diabetic ulcers and other digestive problems. Aloe Vera can reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stimulates the beneficial bacteria in the colon. Further, research indicates that Aloe Vera can be beneficial for those with digestive problems because of its high dosages of nutrients.
Finally, in addition to its numerous other health benefits, research indicates that aloe vera has a high therapeutic potential for healing burns, skin abrasions, eczema, skin cancer, herpes outbreaks, painful menstrual cramps and bacterial infections. It has also been used traditionally to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis and dermatitis. For centuries, aloe plant and its products have been used by indigenous peoples in Pakistan, Egypt and Latin America to heal wounds, prevent infection and treat a variety of ailments. In fact, aloe plant is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines throughout the world. Its high nutritional content, affordability and availability in many parts of the world has made it a popular alternative medicine, especially for treating many non-life threatening ailments.