The aloe vera plant is something of a miracle plant. It has many wonderful benefits and can be used either for its gel or for its juice interchangeably. This plant is highly beneficial for the body. It can be easily grown, and if you can get your hands on this cactus-like plant, you should! It grows abundantly in many places across the globe — in Africa, Europe, Asia and some parts of the U.S. There are over 300 species of the plant. It has even been dubbed the ‘plant of immortality’.Here we take a look at a couple of health problems that can be effectively treated by the humble, powerful aloe vera plant. Let’s dive in!
Diabetes
This amazing plant has the ability to aid the control of diabetes. The gel and juice contain compounds that work to enhance insulin sensitivity and assist the body in maintaining a healthy blood sugar balance. Research shows that consuming two tablespoons of aloe vera plant juice daily for just two weeks is long enough to begin seeing the benefits of a reduction in blood sugar levels in sufferers of type 2 diabetes. A further benefit is that people displayed an improvement in Triglyceride levels reducing risks of heart disease. Using aloe vera alone will not be enough to treat diabetes, but it can help in managing the disease a great deal when used as a supplement.
Pimples, Acne, and Blemishes
It was found through a scientific study in Spain, conducted by the Universit Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, that the extracts of aloe vera leaves and flowers possess potent antioxidant properties. The research is proof that the amazing plant has an effect on types of bacteria that aren’t even affected by antibiotics. Due to these antioxidants, the aloe vera plant is capable of repairing skin cells and helping rid of acne, pimples, and some blemishes.
Constipation
There is a tacky residue of yellow hue that is produced by aloe vera and stored under the leaf skin, and it is called latex. This latex is used for the treatment of constipation. It is an effective treatment as the barbaloin or aloin compound in this residue is responsible for the laxative effect. It is mistakenly believed that aloe vera has an effect on digestive disorders like IBS, but this is not true, and neither does it have any effect on inflammatory bowel disease either.
Minor Burns
When aloe vera is used in the treatment of minor burns, it soothes the affected area and helps to promote faster recovery. Aloe has been proven effective for the treatment of both first and second-degree burns. A report as per the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association revealed that burn patients treated with aloe vera experienced significantly rapid healing when compared to those not treated with aloe vera but with percent silver sulfadiazine (SSD).
Dental Health
Aloe vera has many benefits that promote good dental health and hygiene. It is an interesting finding that pure aloe vera juice is a more effective mouthwash against reducing dental plaque than chlorhexidine, a standard pharmaceutical mouthwash ingredient. Other studies have yielded similar results to those found in Medical News Today. Aloe vera juice has been found effective in eliminating plaque-producing bacteria, by the name Streptococcus mutans and also Candida albicans.
Dehydration
Aloe vera is an ideal plant for the treatment of dehydration owing to the amount of water that the plant contains. Drinking pure aloe juice can keep you hydrated and detox the body of impurities. Aloe vera juice is prepared by crushing, pressing and grinding the leaves of the plant before filtering into a glass.
Liver Function
Because aloe vera is rich in phytonutrients and aids in the proper hydration of the body, it can be extremely beneficial in improving liver health and overall function. All you need is to drink aloe vera juice and your liver will thank you in the long run!
Thanks to the many studies that have been conducted on the benefits of aloe, and owing to the many positive experiences with consuming the juice and applying the gel, there is now a wide range of products in the market that contain aloe pulp, gel or even the juice. It is easily accessible, even at your supermarket. Simply having a potted aloe plant is all you need to reap these benefits though, so visit your nearest nursery and get a plant of your own!
