Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Aloe Vera Uses and Health Benefits

Aloe Vera has been touted as something of a miracle plant. While I don't believe that any one thing is a silver bullet guaranteeing perfect health it does seem that the aloe Vera plant has a wide range of uses and health benefits. I recently read that there are at least 500 Aloe Vera uses medicinal . Even if the number was even half that it would still be an extremely useful plant.

Some Aloe Vera Health Benefits
  • Alleviates constipation, haemorrhoids, rectal itching
  • Heals ulcers, IBS, and other digestive disorders
  • Prevents and treats viruses, fungal and bacterial infections
  • Helps to alkalize the body
  • Accelerates healing of burns
  • Helps skin growth
  • Boosts immune system
  • Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics
  • Lowers high cholesterol
  • Protects the body from oxidative stress
  • Boosts the oxygenation of your blood
  • Helps manage allergies and AIDS
  • Eases skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and acne
  • Helps heal skin blemishes
  • Helps stop baldness
  • Eases sunburn
Aloe Vera can be used externally on the skin or taken internally. While it is a tropical plant it can be grown indoors in a small pot fairly easily. To use the raw Aloe Vera leaf break or cut a piece of the leaf off. Inside the leaf is a clear gelatinous substance. Rub this on the skin for external use. For internal use try mixing it into a smoothie. Another way to use it is mix a tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel with some water to make a juice and take before meals.

If you are not able to grow your own there are many Aloe Vera products available. Read the labels and look for products that are made with 100 percent Aloe Vera gel. The less processed and the less additives in the product the better.

Aloe Vera Resource
If you are looking for more detailed information about how to use and prepare Aloe Vera to benefit your health I would recommend 'Aloe Your Miracle Doctor' by Yulia Berry. Not only does this resource tell you all the great uses for Aloe Vera it also tells you how to grow it and prepare it for use in the many home remedies detailed. For those not likely to grow there own plants there is a chapter on commercial medicinal forms of Aloe Vera.
There are some very interesting bonus ebooks that come with 'Aloe Your Miracle Doctor'. It is available in both English and Spanish.

Enjoy good health
Jocelyn