Uses of Aloe Vera that you should know

For many, many years, aloe vera has been cultivated for its medicinal uses and their healthy properties. Thus, it is not surprising that it is one of the most used plants to treat different conditions both internally and externally.

What is aloe vera used for?

Although the plant is made up of roots, stems, leaves and flowers in the flowering season, what really takes advantage of it are its leaves, known as ‘pencas’ in some Latin American countries. These, not only store water and nutrients, from them a gel is obtained which is where all the properties and benefits of aloe vera are.

The gel It is the gelatinous substance found in the pulp inside the leaves. Mainly made up of water, mucilage and other carbohydrates, organic acids and salts, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and various minerals. The topical application of aloe vera gel stimulates the proliferation of collagen, promoting healing and angiogenesis. All these substances provide the body with many important nutrients for its proper functioning, and although of vegetable origin, they are recognized by the organism as its own, being perfectly assimilated without producing no undesirable side effects.

From the leaf is also extracted the acíbar, the yellowish green liquid secreted by the plant, which contains properties analgesics and antibiotics. This is present in the ‘sap’ secreted by the cells between the skin and the gel.

This acíbar contains anthraquinones made up of aloin, emodin, barbaloin and aloesin, 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 that case, the consumption of aloin can cause diarrhea, function as a powerful laxative thanks to its ability to increase bowel movement, reduce the absorption of nutrients and reduce the tonicity of the colon. But one thing is certain: the group of anthraquinones at controlled amounts, they have exceptional healing, antibiotic and detoxifying power.

“The topical application of aloe gel stimulates the proliferation of collagen, promoting healing and angiogenesis”

There are many uses that can be made with aloe vera, do you want to know how to use 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. An adequate use of the plant is associated with the content of its bioactive components, microstructure and the methods to preserve and stabilize the products obtained from the gel.

The chemical components of aloe vera have given it the ability to treat different conditions or diseases in addition to helping to improve the skin, improves defenses, prevents ulcers, prevents premature aging, is anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol, improves digestion, regulates blood sugar.

Thus, the medicinal uses of aloe vera most important are:

• Helps heal burns thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties

• It is a powerful healing agent. Eliminates dead skin cells and supports tissue health.

• Eliminate styes: it is one of the most used substances in the treatment of styes due to its antibacterial power.

• Protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

• Combats irritations and dermatitis, stimulating and strengthening collagen and elastin fibers.

• Herpes: soothes the affected areas reducing pain and preventing them from becoming infected.

• Prevents and helps to hide uncomfortable stretch marks.

• The juice of this plant is especially indicated in cases of gingivitis, sores or other conditions of the mouth.

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 advisable 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. The 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 the uses of aloe vera directly from the plant. Aloe vera is a fairly noble plant, it needs little care in addition to being quite easy to treat. The most important thing is that you have it in a place where there is a lot of light, as it is a plant that consumes sunlight.

So the first step will be to cut a small piece from the base of the leaf to remove the aloin and access the gel. Removing it is very important because it can be very irritating. You need a glass or large container with water and soak the cut but unpeeled leaves (or each one in a glass if they are very large). Let the leaves soak for 24 hours, but change the water two or three times throughout the day to remove the aloin.

“Aloe vera is a fairly noble plant, it needs little care in addition to being quite easy to treat”

To cut the leaves, it is important and necessary to stop watering the plant at least 5 days before. After that period of time has passed, cut the leaves as close to the stem or base as possible. It is advisable to cut the largest ones that are located farthest from the stem with a sharp knife or scissors, not those that are in the center of the plant, since they are the newest. Cut a small piece of the leaf 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 an already healed wound, providing numerous nutritional compounds to the skin. This method ensures that its properties are not lost.

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