The leaves of the aloe vera plant offer skin moisturizing and digestive system benefits that are far reaching. This plant is made of almost 98% water, with the remaining 2% being made up of some very powerful health-boosting ingredients including:(1) Vitamins, Minerals, Natural Digestive Enzymes, Lignins, Amino Acids, Anthraquinones, Saponins, and Fatty Acids.(2)
Aloe vera plant.
While few people think of it as anything more than a cheap moisturizer and sunburn reliever, aloe can be taken internally to reduce digestive problems and to boost immune system function.
It may even help you live significantly longer when ingested daily:
A 4 year study performed at the University of Texas (San Antonio) back in 1997 showed that rats who consumed aloe vera every day had a 25% longer lifespan over the control group which did not consume an aloe vera beverage daily (source). Since rats don’t live nearly as long as humans, some sources work the lifespan-extension-potential of aloe to be upwards of 20 years in humans! (source)
Several studies on humans and rats have shown aloe vera to be a potential life extender, largely because of its ability to curb inflammation throughout the body (which causes accelerated aging of all tissues) and its immuno-boosting ability (source).
Keep reading to learn more detailed information about the benefits of aloe vera, how to choose the right product, and our expert suggestions on the best current products available.
The Benefits of Aloe Vera:
A Bottle of Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera Leaf• Skin and Hair: Of course it’s good for your skin. Aloe vera is high in vitamin E and contains amino acids that are very beneficial to the skin and hair when applied topically. Consuming aloe vera is also beneficial to the skin. A serving of juice made from aloe extract gives you 41% of the RDA of vitamin C which is essential for skincare health.(3)
• Digestion: There are over 100 ingredients in aloe vera that work synergistically to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the stomach leads to poor acid production which cause indigestion. Inflammation in the intestines and bowel can cause constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and later lead to cancer.(4)
• Autoimmune Treatment: Aloe vera has a surprising effect on autoimmune diseases of all kinds. One such autoimmune disease that people receive a lot of benefits from using aloe vera for is rheumatoid arthritis. Taking aloe vera supplements or juice internally for just two weeks can have a dramatic effect on halting the effects of arthritis, Hashimoto’s, Chron’s, and many other debilitating autoimmune problems.(5)
• Heart Health: Aloe vera reduces cholesterol by limiting triglyceride levels in the blood.(6) Further, the antioxidants in this miracle plant prevent lipids from oxidizing and sticking to the walls of our arteries (cholesterol doesn’t become sticky until free radical damage occurs.)(7)
• Oral Hygiene: The various antioxidants, fatty acids, lignins and enzymes in aloe vera reduces the amount of harmful “oral lichen planus” in our mouths which contribute to infection, decay and gum disease. Further, the moisturizing effects you feel on your skin when applied topically also work to moisten the inside of your mouth. Rinsing with an aloe solution is a great natural dry mouth and bad breath remedy. (8)
• Sinus Relief: The moisturizing effects of aloe vera are great as a homemade nasal spray or neti-pot irrigation. Further, consuming the juice will give you a massive dose of magnesium; a natural antihistamine.
• Diabetes?: You may have heard that aloe vera helps to regulate blood sugar levels. No firm studies have shown this to be the case, however. With all the other benefits that come from consuming this plant, you really have nothing to lose if you’re looking to lower your blood sugar naturally.(9) It may help in this regard; it may not…(10)
Use Aloe Vera and Juice Extract For:
Young woman with natural aloe vera cream1. Use the actual plant leaves as a natural, soothing body scrub by slicing them lengthwise and rubbing all over your skin. Throw out after use.
2. Instantly sooth insect and animal bites by rubbing aloe vera juice on the affected wound.
3. Apply it to your dark under eye circles daily and watch them disappear. Continue reapplying after they’re gone to prevent reoccurence.
4. Rub aloe vera juice liberally on any skin rashes that appear including rosacea, eczema and those caused by allergic reactions to plants, animals, and man-made chemicals.
5. Apply aloe vera immediately to sunburns. Use liberally and reapply every hour to prevent skin peeling and infection.
6. Use aloe vera juice on frostbite or wind-burned skin. Apply every hour or whenever you can.
7. Combine a 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice, ½ cup of oatmeal, and 2 tbsp of corn starch and apply the paste to your feet for ½ hour. Use a foot file afterwards to get the softest, most supple feet ever. Great for guys and gals!
8. Apply aloe vera to herpes outbreaks as soon as they occur. Applying it as often as possible will make your herpes outbreak go away faster, leading to less embarrassment when out in public.
9. Apply to skin 3 times daily (morning, noon and night) to help treat and prevent pimples. The antioxidants help to erase and prevent the bacteria that causes these outbreaks on the skin.
10. Rubbing pure aloe vera into the skin daily can help to firm and tighten loose or age-ravaged skin and give it a healthy natural glow, without resorting to expensive age-defying serums that can cost up to $100 per ounce.
11. If you have dark skin, blotches, freckles or warts; aloe vera is a natural skin lightener and works quite well as a standalone skin whitener as well.
12. Mix equal parts 1 tsp of aloe vera with 1 tsp of petroleum jelly to make an effective and long lasting lip balm.
13. Using 100% gel is a perfect replacement for expensive and chemical-laden dandruff treatments. Apply to hair after showering and a light drying with a towel. Let it sit in the hair for 20 minutes then pat dry and style as normal. Don’t wash the aloe out for best results.
14. Use aloe vera gel in place of your favorite commercial dandruff treatments. It helps to strengthen hair, make it more flexible, and nourish it with several vitamins that make hair happy when applied topically including: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and B12, Vitamin C and E, folic acid and Niacin.
15. Aloe vera is an excellent vaginal cleanser that won’t upset the healthy bacteria and pH levels needed to prevent infection.
16. Drink a glass of aloe vera juice at the onset of any gastrointestinal problems or upset stomach. Aloe vera will help to kill infection throughout the digestive tract.
17. People with sore throats can drink as much aloe vera juice as they want to help soothe and heal more quickly.
massage stones with aloe vera18. If your esophagus is damaged due to acid reflux, drinking alcohol or smoking; aloe vera juice can help to heal the condition. It’s also useful after surgery to help prevent infection and allow the esophagus to heal properly.
19. Drink the juice to help erase polyps. Throat polyps are most common in singers and public speakers, so drinking aloe vera juice before, during and after performances can help to prevent them in the first place.
20. Consuming aloe vera juice is a very effective laxative. Contrary to the damage caused by many OTC laxatives, aloe vera won’t disrupt healthy bacteria levels or cause (violent) bowel movements like commercial OTC products do either.
21. Apply aloe vera juice or gel to help restore hair lost by autoimmune and certain medications. It contains a wealth of hair and scalp-friendly ingredients that help to reduce this kind of hair loss. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and B12, Vitamin C and E, folic acid and Niacin, all help to restore hair follicle function.
22. Though it hasn’t proven as effective as with the types of clinical hair loss mentioned in #21, aloe vera extract is a common main ingredient used in natural hair loss treatments for male pattern baldness (“Alopecia”). Whether it will help your condition or not is merely a matter of trying; some have success, while others have to try more aggressive treatments.
23. Consume ready-made aloe vera juice or an 8-ounce beverage containing 2 table spoons of 100% (food grade) aloe vera gel, twice daily to boost immune system function. High levels of antioxidants make aloe vera the perfect choice when trying to rid the body of colds, flus and other viral and bacterial infections. It’s also perfect as a preventative. Much as one would take a vitamin supplement or echinacea to prevent cold and flu symptoms.
24. Apply aloe vera juice or gel immediately to skin ravaged by inflammation symptoms.
25. Drinking an aloe vera tonic, as described in #17 is perfect for reducing the unpleasant symptoms brought on by the dreaded monthly female menstrual cycle including cramps, bloating, headaches, swelling, etc. Aloe vera has a very positive effect on the uterus and may help to prevent uterine cancer, fibroids, polyps, ablation and prolapse.
26. Drinking an aloe vera tonic may help to decrease insulin resistance in pre-diabetics and diagnosed type II diabetics.
27. Consuming an aloe vera tonic containing 100% aloe vera juice, or 8 ounces of water + 3 tbsp of pure extract gel daily can help to significantly lower serum triglyceride levels and also balance HDL/LDL cholesterol levels, making it an essential homeopathic treatment for people suffering from high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis – both of which conditions are caused largely by fat and cholesterol blood imbalances.
28. Drinking a tonic, as described above, of aloe vera can help to prevent and control a variety of respiratory diseases including asthma, COPD and emphysema.
29. Consuming aloe vera regularly has been shown to stimulate the metabolism, helping to optimize the body’s ability to effectively use calories and maximize oxygen uptake and fat burning throughout every cell in the body.
30. Aloe vera juice and gel have been shown to be one of the most effective bases for a natural toothpaste, when combined with baking soda, and/or as a standalone mouthwash when it comes to killing the bacterial and viral invaders that are constantly attacking the mouth. If you have bleeding gums, abscesses or denture stomatitis, aloe vera can help to soothe and prevent further infection.
Tips for Growing Your Own Aloe Vera Plant at Home:
Hey, some people just don’t want to spare the expense of buying aloe vera juice or a concentrated gel. While concentrates are much more potent, you can grow your own aloe plants at home, using a simple indoor lighting system or even a window that gets an adequate amount of North/West sunlight.
You can buy a mature plant at your local gardening center, or grow your own plants from seed, in quality soil that’s been treated for bacteria and viruses. This link from Amazon is a great source for the highest quality seeds to start your aloe crop with:
At $14 this 3-plant deal is perfect if you’re not a fan of choosing soil, lighting systems and in general, cultivating the seeds from scratch:
Most aloe plants originate from the desert regions of Africa. They’re pretty hard to kill, needing only a semi regular, once/twice weekly watering (they’re from the desert, so quite forgiving if you miss a time or two).
Mix some 10-40-10 fertilizer (ie., starter fertilizer) in with the water, using the dosing instructions detailed on the fertilizer container, every month or two to make sure the plant isn’t starved for the nutrients it needs. Again, there’s no rocket-science involved; even if the soil becomes depleted, the aloe plant is very resilient and is designed to thrive in the most sufferable environments the world has to offer.
Use typical “Miracle Grow” found at your local gardening center, or opt for a more natural blend that doesn’t leave a “fertilizer taste” in the finished product, like “Green Green” the “Original Plant Food” from Korea:
How to Choose an Aloe Vera Product:
• Purity: You will see many products claiming theirs to be 100% aloe vera. Be forewarned that most of this is just advertising gimmickry. There’s no way to create a 100% product without having it start to decompose (rot and smell) very quickly, as all organic matter does. Most actually range from 90 – 98% aloe, regardless what the label says. Look on the label for a purity certification from the Aloe Science Council, who governs producers and ensures their products meet stringent quality standards. Never consume aloe vera gel, unless its labeled as “food grade”.
• Organically Grown Aloe: Regardless of whether you’re going to apply the aloe to your skin or consume it, you don’t want to be putting dangerous pesticides on – or in your body! Right? Look for products that are stamped with an organic certification from the state they were manufactured in.
• Choose Alcohol Free: Alcohol is added to some skin formulations to make them dry faster on your skin. As you can imagine, it also takes away from the moisturizing effect of the lotion, reduces the overall purity, and won’t last as long as a product made without alcohol added.
• Sugar: This is for capsules, juices and extracts for consumption. Read the labels, particularly in aloe beverages to see how much sugar they’ve added to make it taste better. Aloe is naturally slightly bitter and some drinks may well have so much sugar and so little aloe that they’re no more nutritious than a can of soda! Capsule supplements shouldn’t contain sugar or sweeteners, like sucrose, at all.
The Best Aloe Vera Products Available Currently:
Aloe Vera Gel By Earth's Daughter.
Earth’s Daughter brings you a product that’s manufactured in North America, using aloe vera grown on American soil. This topical aloe vera gel doesn’t contain moisture robbing ingredients like alcohol or harmful fragrances. You’ll find many aloe products listed as a gel, but don’t think that this stuff will be messy or leave a residue on your skin – it feels just like the liquid that comes out of a freshly-squeezed aloe leaf and absorbs really quickly. All their products are certified organic, ensuring the utmost purity.
The really nice thing about Earth’s Daughter as a company is the fact that they don’t claim to be 100% aloe like many other products – they fully admit that some “natural” preservatives (xanthin, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and potassium sorbate) are used in their formulation and make it well known that any manufacturer who claims otherwise is lying! The ingredients listed are safe enough for human consumption, so Earth’s Daughter is perfect for using as an oral rinse too.
Nature Republic NEW Soothing& Moisture ALOE VERA. Nature Republic are a big name in the organic skincare market. This organic gel is made in Asia and despite being listed as only 92% aloe vera, it’s proven to be non-allergy-causing. One thing that really stands out about this 10oz tub is the wonderful green color the gel has, due to added skin conditioners and soothers like eucalyptus and tocopherol (vitamin E). The tub is double-capped to preserve the aloe and prevent any evaporation.
The soothing nature of this fortified gel makes it great for sunburns, after waxing, and as a shave/aftershave, in addition to everyday use all over the body for added moisturizing. If you’re serious about your aloe, you can save over $10 by ordering a 12-pack of this popular, highly-reviewed Nature Republic product.
DMSO Cream with Aloe Vera Rose Scented.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide is a byproduct of wood processing that’s been used for the last couple of centuries as a pain reliever. If you have arthritis or muscle pain and don’t like the offensive chemical smell that products like A5-35 or other mentholated gels and creams give off, this Rose Scented cream that’s infused with aloe vera for added moisturizing is the way to go! Don’t be put off by the fact that DMSO is a “byproduct”. This Nature’s Gift product is very safe and considered a natural, non-medicated pain reliever. The rose scent completely covers up the natural “garlicy smell” that you’ll find in other DMSO containing products.
Some reviewers claim that this cream only takes the edge off severe arthritis pain, while others say its a miracle cream they simply can’t live without. DMSO is an oil, similar to mineral oil but leaves less residue. If you like to use other products like castor oil and menthol on your sore joints and tired muscles, this cream will also help those medicines to pass through the skin and into the areas they’re needed most.
Thayer’s (with Rose Petal and Witch Hazel)
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Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe VeraThis wonderfully scented product from Thayer’s is for all the ladies out there who’re looking for a natural cleansing, toning, and tightening product for their skin – that also moisturizes (using aloe) at the same time. Witch hazel has long been used as a combination astringent/toner and Thayers is one of the biggest names in the natural skincare segment.
The best thing about this product is that it’s alcohol free, also containing no parabens or propylene glycol, making it safe for children and people with sensitive skin. If you have problems with blackheads or pimples, this product makes for an excellent pore scrubber when used with a cotton ball. The witch hazel helps to clean and shrink pores, while the aloe provides gentle moisturizing.
Fruit Of The Earth 100% Aloe Vera.
Yes, you’ll immediately notice that the label is a bit on the misleading side for this Fruit of the Earth gel. They claim the contents of this handy pump dispenser bottle to be 100% aloe vera, when we all know it’s impossible to package the wonderfully moisturizing liquid of the aloe vera plant without using some preservatives. However, we have to forgive them because Fruit of the Earth has been around for years and they definitely don’t use alcohol in their formulation.
This is one of the most inexpensive aloe vera products on the market. You get 24oz for just a little over $10, which is hard to beat. You can use this gel as a moisturizer and natural hair gel. However, due to a small amount of formaldehyde-producing preservatives (which are strangely listed in the ingredients, despite “100% aloe vera” being listed on the label) it’s not recommended that you use this product as an oral rinse. Great price and great value if you’re looking for a relatively safe, cheap aloe vera gel.
Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe Vera Juice Organic Whole Leaf No Preservatives: Lily Of The Desert. This is a concentrated aloe vera liquid that’s made purely for consumption. Though you can also rub it on your skin or hair if you wish, for added moisturizing. Unlike the flavored ALO product recommended below, this Lily of the Desert product doesn’t contain any sugar or flavoring of any kind. It’s easy to add a teaspoon or two (the recommended dose) to your favorite cold sweetened beverages, or in plain water.
If you’re not keen on products that contain alcohol or long-lasting preservatives, Lily of the Desert is an affordable choice. This product does have to be refrigerated, contrary to other liquid extracts you’ll find at the pharmacy, and it has a shelf life of about 120 days. All Lily of the Desert products are certified 100% organic.
Lily Of The Desert Aloe Vera Gel
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Lily Of The Desert Aloe Vera GelAll Lily of the Desert products are made for users who prefer all-natural ingredients in their diet and skincare products. They’ve specialized in making aloe vera gels, extracts and beverages since the 1970’s and are considered a must for organic purists. This gel is what they use in the juice listed above, but without the added can sugar and flavoring.
The thing that sets this aloe vera gel apart is that it includes a proprietary aloe vera extract formula that improves the delivery of aloe’s vitamins, minerals and aminos in the stomach. Because it’s a gel, you can also use it on the skin just like you would any other aloe product. At $5 for 32oz of gel, you’re getting great deal on an organic aloe product with this buy.
ALO Exposed Aloe Vera Beverage
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ALO Exposed Aloe Vera BeverageYou get all the digestive, vitamin and antioxidant benefits from consuming aloe vera juice, without having a bitter taste left in your mouth like you get when drinking concentrated juice. Be aware that ALO is sweetened with 15g of all natural cane sugar, so if you’re watching your sugar intake this might not be for you. However, keep in mind that several sugar-free flavored juices like this contain laboratory made sweeteners like sucralose, maltol, and xanthin which are way worse for your body that sugar.
However, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to fruit juices and soda, the flavors they offer are out of this world! This gluten-free aloe vera beverage comes in a variety of yummy flavors including Exposed Honey; Awaken, Wheatgrass; Allure, Mangosteen and Mango; Enrich, Pomegranate and Cranberry; and Appeal, Pomelo, and Grapefruit.
NOW Foods Aloe Vera Gels
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NOW Foods Aloe Vera GelsIf you’re not too keen on drinking aloe juice, but want to use it to improve your all over health, this no frills, concentrated supplement from Now Foods should be your product of choice. Each concentrated gelcap has the equivalent nutritional value of 5000mg of aloe vera liquid; giving each 75mg gelcap a 200:1 ratio of aloe vera concentrate.
The active health-boosting ingredient in aloe vera when consumed is glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s) which work to preserve and heal healthy gut and intestinal flora inside the digestive system, that wreak havoc on people with GERD, IBS, and those with a poor diet or who take lots of medication. There is no sugar, starch, or wheat (gluten) products listed on the ingredients, but it isn’t listed as gluten free either, so if you have severe allergies it would be best to contact the company before purchasing.
Nature’s Way Aloe Vera
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Nature's Way Aloe VeraThis 200 pack of aloe vera gels from Nature’s Way contains all the polysaccharides you’d expect from an aloe vera extract product. The concentrated liquid is placed in vegetarian friendly caps if you’re avoiding gelatin and other animal products that are so often used in gelcaps. They’ve developed a special “Aloe Polymax” formula that’s added to the concentrated extract, to further preserve the polysaccharide content until you consume it.
All Nature’s Way products are certified organic and their aloe vera products all receive a certification from the National Aloe Science council; an organization that verifies the purity of aloe products all over the North America. For all this piece of mind, the price is certainly right at just 7 cents per capsule!
Summary:
As you’ve learned, there’s more to aloe than being an age-old remedy for dry skin. We hope you’ve found some value from the free information offered here at Healthy Wealth Blogsite and do hope you’ll give one of the post recommended on this blogsite a try.
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