12 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera - Simplify Gardening

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Ever walked into your favorite store and realized that there are too many aloe vera gel and juice products to go unnoticed? But what do they do?

If you’re bombarded with the various aloe products on the market touting the beneficial aspects of this plant – and with all of the information on the world wide web – you might want to read on to find out if this plant and its extracts are safe to use.

This guide is meant to give insight into the uses of aloe vera and how to use this ancient plant safely. But first, let’s have a quick introduction.

Overview
Drug Interactions
Other Articles On Growing Aloe Vera That Will Help You In Your Journey
Conclusion

Overview

Aloe vera is often christened as the ‘plant of immortality because it doesn’t necessarily require soil to thrive. Aloe refers to a genus that constitutes over 500 species of assorted flowering succulent plants. To be specific, aloe vera belongs to the Liliaceae family.

The plant packs nutrients with over 75 potentially-active compounds – including minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, fatty acids, and polysaccharides.

12 Uses for Aloe Vera

Alternative to Mouthwash
Keeping Garden Produce Fresh
Heartburn Relief
Natural Laxative
Natural Hair Conditioner
Lowering Blood Sugar Levels
Skin Care
Relieves Second-Degree Burn Wounds
Remedy for Foot Ulcers (Diabetes-Induced)
Relieves Throat Infections and Possibly Fights off Asthma
Remedy for Anal Fissures
Potential to Fight Off Breast Cancer

aloe-vera-in-sunlight-cover-photo-2 - Simplify Gardening

What is Aloe Vera?

According to England’s Royal Botanical Centre of Excellence, Kew Gardens, Aloe Vera is among the world’s most popular and widely used plants for its medicinal aspects.

These thick, short-stemmed shrubs are typified by their dense rosette appeal; the leaves are erect, prickly, succulent, and grey-green. Aloe vera is cultivated globally – chiefly as the ‘Aloe gel crop,’ harvested from the leaves.

6 Tips To Growing Aloe Vera

Brief History of Aloe Vera

The earliest record of aloe vera use by humans is drawn from the Ebers Papyrus – an Egyptian medical history that dates back to the 16^th century. A report in the Indian Journal of Dermatology shows that ancient Egyptians referred to aloe vera as ‘that plant of immortality.’ According to the authors of this report, there’s evidence to support the therapeutic use of the plant in Japan, China, Egypt, Greece, and India.

Over the centuries, aloe vera managed to weasel its way worldwide by adapting to every climatic condition thinkable. With many studies linking aloe to many health benefits, it is no surprise why it is widely used in traditional remedies. The plant relieves sunburns, lowers blood sugar levels, and wards off dental plaque.

Today, aloe creams, ointments, and gels are typically used to remedy several skin conditions. It’s also sold in a liquid or capsule form for oral use to promote health and overall well-being.

How to Harvest Aloe Vera

You might be delighted to know that it’s relatively simple to harvest Aloe Vera for its gel and juice extracts. All you’ll need is a full-grown plant for a superior concentration of its active ingredients.

You might want to sit out a few weeks before harvesting the same plant again. Therefore, it is wise to have a couple of these plants on rotation if you plan to gather regularly. Here are the steps to harvesting an aloe vera plant for its gel and juice:

Cut about 3 to 4 aloe vera leaves at a time. You might opt for the outer and thicker leaves that are healthy, undamaged, and free of molds. Also, your harvest technique should be close-to-the-stem cuts and avoid snipping the plant’s roots.
Use a knife to trim the prickly edges of the harvested leaves.
Thoroughly wash and dry the harvested leaves.
Use your fingers or a knife to extract the interior gel so it’s separate from the outer section of the leaf. This interior gel is what you want to use.
Let the yellow sap (aloe vera latex) drain from the leaf. If you have plans to use the latex, you can use a clean container to catch it. Otherwise, dispose of it.
Use a sharp knife to cut your aloe gel into cubes or slices.

If you want to realize a smooth texture for your homemade aloe gel, right after you separate the aloe gel from the leaf’s outer section – you can put your aloe gel extract into a blender, pulse, and later strain the blend to get rid of the pulp.

While aloe vera has many uses, you might want to know that endless medicinal claims are shadowing its reign – just as with most herbs. These benefits are backed by accurate scientific studies, while some aren’t. Here is a couple of aloe vera uses by research:

Alternative to Mouthwash

A study published in 2014 in the Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences reports that the aloe vera extract is an effective and safe alternative to over-the-counter chemical-based mouthwashes in fighting cavities.

The researchers of this study analyzed the bacteria-fighting ability of the aloe vera gel extract compared to that of commercial mouthwashes. They found the gel to be just as effective, and in some scenarios, better than the mouthwashes in warding off oral bacteria that cause cavities.

You might want to know that the aloe latex extract contains anthraquinones, which constitute a healthy count of vitamin C that help to fight off plaque. Also, the natural ingredients in the plant can present relief if you have swollen or bleeding gums.

Keeping Garden Produce Fresh

Back in 2014, the Cambridge University Press had an online publication of an analysis of tomato plants coated with aloe gel. The report of this study shows that the gel coating successfully protected tomato fruits from harmful bacteria.

Findings from another study with apples depict similar results. So, there’s a justified reason to deduce that aloe gel can help keep farm produce, like fruits and veggies, fresh. This might eliminate our need for the harmful chemicals we use to extend the shelf-life of farm produce.

Heartburn Relief

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, is a digestive disorder that often brings about heartburn.

A review that dates back to 2010 suggests that taking about 1 to 3 ounces of the aloe vera gel during meals may reduce severe GERD symptoms and relieve other digestion-related problems. This succulent plant’s low toxic counts make it a safe and gentle heartburn remedy.

Natural Laxative

There’s a reason why you might want to consider aloe vera as a natural laxative. A handful of rigorous scientific studies examined the potential benefits of this succulent as a digestion aid. The findings appear to be varied, though.

According to a study conducted on rats by a group of Nigerian scientists, the gel extracted from usual aloe vera houseplants presented findings on constipation relief. But, results from the National Institutes of Health study, an analysis of the consumption of aloe vera whole-leaf extracts, report significant tumor growth in the laboratory rats’ large intestines.

You might want to remember that – back in 2002, the United States Food and Drug Administration directed that all of the over-the-counter aloe vera laxative products had to be reformulated or entirely eradicated from the U.S. market. According to the Mayo Clinic, this succulent should be used sparingly to relieve constipation; they recommend a dose of about 0.04-0.17 grams of dried aloe vera juice.

If you’re diagnosed with colitis, Crohn’s disease, or hemorrhoids, you might want to consult with your healthcare practitioner before consuming aloe vera. Why? It has been known to cause diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps. Plus, aloe vera might impede your body’s drug absorption abilities if you’re on medication.

Natural Hair Conditioner

This indeed comes as no surprise, but it’s still a tremendous topical use for this succulent plant. To condition your hair, you might want to first mix your aloe gel in water before adding your essential oil of choice into the mix.

The aloe will help trap moisture and fight off external toxins that might damage your hair. Plus, the anti-fungal compounds in the aloe gel are known to get rid of dandruff for a healthier scalp.

Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

A study featured in Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacy suggests that taking two tablespoons a day of aloe vera juice can lower the blood sugar levels in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Another study, published in the Phytotherapy Research, confirmed these findings, which carried out an analysis of aloe vera pulp extracts. Therefore, this could mean that aloe vera may play a part in treating diabetes shortly.

If you have diabetes and are ingesting glucose-lowering medications, you might consult your healthcare practitioner before taking aloe vera juice. Why? You might end up lowering your body’s glucose count to harmful levels.

Skin Care

It’s fantastic that aloe vera can keep your skin hydrated and clear. This might be attributable to this succulent plant’s will to thrive in the driest and most unstable climatic conditions.

Aloe vera stores water in its leaves to power through harsh conditions. When these succulent leaves are associated with the distinct plant compounds known as complex carbohydrates, they become an effective pain reliever and face moisturizer.

Relieves Second-Degree Burn Wounds

A group of plastic surgeons analyzed aloe vera gel as a remedy for wounds brought about by second-degree burns compared to the 1% silver sulphadiazine (SSD) cream healing aspects.

Their report, featured in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, holds that the patients subject to aloe gel treatment had considerably quicker pain relief and healing of their wounds than those treated with the SSD cream.

To quote the report’s authors, “The thermal-burn patients dressed with the aloe gel exhibit a significant advantage in contrast to those dressed with SSD in regards to early pain relief, wound epithelialization, and cost-effectiveness.”

Remedy for Foot Ulcers (Diabetes-Induced)

A study on diabetic laboratory rats at the Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, India, featured in the International Wound Journal, analyzed aloe vera’s ability to treat ulcers in contrast to a commercial product.

Reports show that the gel, created with aloe vera and about 1% carbopol (974p), has excellent wound healing and closure in diabetic rats compared to the commercial product. The researchers also conclude that aloe gel is a good product for treating diabetic foot ulcers.

Relieves Throat Infections and Possibly Fights off Asthma

Are you asthmatic? Or do you have a throat infection? You might want to try this out! Harvest your aloe leaves, cut them in half, and scrape off a tablespoon of its aloe vera gel to boil in water.

According to The Express Tribune, all you ought to do is inhale the steam when your aloe gel is boiling in the water. Amazingly, you ought to be breathing a whole lot better moments after.

You might want to add the aloe gel to warm water and gargle for the sore throat, just as you would with salt water. Amazing, huh?

Remedy for Anal Fissures

If anal fissures are a concern for you, you might want to dress the affected area in a recommended aloe vera cream several times a day. It might speed up the healing and relieve the pain.

A study that dates back to 2014 shows that the individuals who used the cream that contained aloe vera juice powder at least three times a day for six weeks were relieved of the pains and their chronic anal fissures healed; these results were considerably different in comparison to those of the control group.

Nonetheless, you might want to keep in mind that even though this report is promising, there’s a need for more scientific research to advance these findings further.

Potential to Fight Off Breast Cancer

A recent study, featured in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, analyzed the therapeutic aspects of aloe-emodin – a compound found in the leaves of this succulent plant.

The report shows that aloe vera exhibits the potential to slow down the growth rate of breast cancer. That said, you might want to keep in mind that there’s a need for more scientific studies to advance this theory further.

How Much Aloe Vera Should You Use?

You might want to be advised that the aloe vera cream and gel products have variant dosages; some of these cream products for minor burns contain merely 0.5% aloe vera, while some are used to treat psoriasis may include up to 70% aloe vera.

Even though there’s no set dose for aloe vera as an oral supplement, the recommended daily amount for constipation concerns is about 50 milligrams of aloe extract, or about 100-200 milligrams of aloe juice, as needed. If you have diabetes, you might find it wise to take a tablespoon of the gel a day.

*Please remember that professional healthcare practitioners advise that excessive oral doses of aloe, or aloe latex, are dangerous for you. You ought to seek medical advice on the proper use of aloe.

Aloe Vera: Side Effects, Risks, and Drug Interactions

According to researchers, the chronic use of aloe vera can harm your overall health. Even so, they point out that if the aloe product doesn’t contain aloin – an extract found between the plant’s outer leaf and its gooey stuff that triggers colorectal cancer in rats – it may be used as a topical remedy for your sunburns.

Side Effects

Topical aloe products might spark skin irritation. More so, despite the laxative effect of oral aloe, it may cause diarrhea and cramping, which might cause electrolyte imbalances for individuals who gobble up aloe for more than a few days.

Also, chronic oral use of aloe can stain the colon, making colonoscopy tedious. Therefore, you should avoid ingesting aloe for about a month before having a colonoscopy. Aloe gel should be aloin–free for oral or topical use to prevent gastrointestinal tract irritation.

Risks

You ought to steer off the topical use of aloe vera for severe burns or deep cuts. Why? If you are allergic to onions, garlic, and tulips, you’re likely to be allergic to aloe.

Healthcare practitioners counsel against the chronic oral use of aloe, especially for persons with heart disease, intestinal problems, hemorrhoids, diabetes, kidney problems, or electrolyte imbalances.

Drug Interactions

If you regularly take any drugs, you might want to consult your doctor before taking aloe supplements. Why? These aloe supplements could interact with medicines and accessories such as heart drugs, diabetes pills, steroids, laxatives, and licorice root.

What’s more? The oral use of aloe gel may impede the absorption of the medications taken concurrently, given that it might be unwise for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women to use aloe supplements orally, with the lack of evidence to support their safety criterion.

Conclusion

As discussed, there are comprehensive, rigorous scientific studies to support the various unique ways to use aloe vera and its gels and extracts. With our world’s finest researchers on their heels to discover more and more ways to put this succulent plant to use, the future looks promising.

Nonetheless, you ought to make an effort to consult with your doctor in case you’re planning to use aloe vera for its medicinal aspects, especially if you’re on any medications.

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