Aloe vera

 

Active components with its properties: Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.

1. Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
2. Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
3. Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
4. Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.
5. Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
6. Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
7. Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.
8. Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.

 

Aloe Vera Benefits for Health

Like most other succulents, Aloe Vera too contains self-healing properties. Therefore, from ancient times Aloe Vera has been considered the most incredible herb, superior to garlic, in offering innumerable benefits.

Eliminates Cancer Tumour

Aloe Vera helps terminate cancer cells and tumors as Polysaccharides, a substance, found in Aloe Vera with increased production of nitric oxide, a chemical, with an ability to weaken and reduce cancer tumours. Acemannan, a phytonutrient found in Aloe Vera has anti-cancer properties with an ability to quicken the obliteration of cancer cells and tumors. They also help recoup from lethal cancer treatments.

Cures Radiation Burns

Aloe Vera acts as a curative to burns obtained from Radiotherapy treatment for cancer.  Internal and external uses of Aloe Vera quicken the healing process and provide immense relief.

Eases Inflammation

Regular consumption of Aloe Vera juice for over fifteen days help alleviate symptoms of inflammation in the body such as rheumatism, arthritis and inflammation of the eyes and ears.  External application of the gel helps ease muscle and joint pain.

Boosts Nourishment

This wonder herb has the capacity to augment the antioxidant effects of certain vitamins such as vitamins E and C.This is due to its ability to enhance the quality of blood and help carrying the essential nutrients and the oxygen efficiently to the body’s tissues and cells.

Promotes Digestive Health

Polysaccharides provide therapeutic benefits. Consumption of Aloe Vera juice provides relief from digestional disorders.  It eliminates gastrointestinal disorders such as heart and acid reflux, stabilises the alkaline acid in the body, prevents symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, acts as a laxative and avoids constipation.  Hence, Aloe Vera offers excellent cure for ulcers, Celiac and Crohn’s diseases.

Improve Circulatory Health

A sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet rich in junk food containing high amounts of salt, saturated fats and hydrogenated oils lead to clumping of the blood cells leading to life threatening diseases. These clumps obstruct sufficient supply of oxygen and other essential nutrients to the cells, tissues and the brain due to an obstruction caused by clumping of blood cells in the circulatory system. Nevertheless, Aloe Vera helps ease blood stickiness making the blood less sticky thus promoting circulatory health.

Regulates Blood Pressure

With its ability to reverse blood stickiness, and promoting circulatory health by making the blood flow smoothly, preventing the heart from pumping forcibly Aloe Vera helps lower high blood pressure.

Prevents Heart Attack and Stroke

Since Aloe Vera enhances the quality of blood by making it less sticky and prevent clumping of the blood cells, they prevent the risk of developing heart attacks and stroke.

Manage Diabetes

Since Aloe Vera contains antidiabetic properties, they help manage diabetes by stabilising blood sugar levels. They also augment circulatory health thus preventing numbness in the hands and legs, one of the major symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Prevents Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Aloe Vera helps balance blood chemistry improving the viscosity of the blood. This helps maintain healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels, improving cardiac performance.

Protects renal health

According to recent studies Aloe Vera, is beneficial for particular kinds of renal diseases as they help flush out excess water from the body. They prevent renal diseases caused by Type 2 diabetes.  This was evident in rats with diabetic induced kidney disease who when ingested with aloe vera showed remarkable improvement in their condition. They protect the body against the risk of kidney stones by defending oxalates from invading the body.

Encourages Gynaecological Health

The miracle herb aids healthy functioning of the uterus and regulates menstruation and cure fibroids and ovarian cysts with herbal treatment. Since they contain antimicrobic properties, they impede fungal bacterial and viral infections like herpes and Candida infections thereby preventing vaginal itching. The plants anti-inflammatory substances protect against gynaecological related inflammations.

Provides First Aid solution

Aloe Vera comes in handy and acts as an excellent first aid solution. They make excellent dressing for wounds by increasing the blood flow, protecting the skin against harmful bacteria and infections thus hastening the healing process.  They also cure third degree burns, reinstate normal skin and prevent blisters. They protect the tissue damage from frostbite and protect the skin from the harsh rays of the skin preventing sunburns.

Treats Skin Ailments

Aloe Vera is very effective in treating and preventing skin disorders, due to its ability to seep through the multiple layers of the skin. Therefore, it is beneficial for disorders such as herpes, eczema, psoriasis, Lichen Planus, dermatitis and skin allergies.

Support Dental Health

Aloe Vera is useful for strengthening the gums and promoting strong healthy teeth. Most toothpaste available in the market contains Aloe Vera as the main ingredient therefore preventing bad breath. As an alternative remedy, massaging the gums and teeth with Aloe Vera may be very useful.

Aloe Vera Benefits For Beauty

Enhances skin health

Pampering the skin with Aloe Vera provides wonderful benefits for the skin. Therefore, it is widely used as a main ingredient in many beauty products and cosmetics to enhance the skin tone.

Moisturiser

The amazing moisturising substances in the plant provide ample hydration, getting rid of dead cells, keeping the skin soft, supple and glowing.

Pigmentation

They reduce dark spots pigmentation dark patchy, dry flaky skin and freckles rendering a healthy glow to the face.

Acne

The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera prevent the outbreak of acne and pimples, healing the lesions and the acne scars effectively.

Wrinkles

Aloe Vera has the capability of stimulating the production of collagens and elastins, resulting in skin rejuvenation and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Complexion

Aloe Vera is a wonderful remedy for removing suntan and for promoting a glowing even complexion devoid of dark patches.

Antiaging

Aloe Vera revitalises the skin, prevents ageing by eliminating dead cells and promoting a skin as good as new.

 

Stretch Marks

Aloe Vera works wonders with stretch marks by eliminating traces of them.

Nails

A good massage to lacklustre nails with Aloe Vera helps strengthen and restore their sheen.

Oily skin

Aloe Vera with astringent properties reduce excessive production of the sebaceous glands thus reducing the oil production on the face.

Alopecia

The best treatment for hairloss Aloe Vera containing anti-inflammatory properties cure alopecia and reduces hairloss.

Hair growth

Aloe Vera increases hair growth and stimulates growth in balding areas.

Moisturiser

Application of Aloe Vera gel strengthens and moisturises the hair root preventing dry flaky scalp.

Conditioner

Aloe Vera acts as an excellent conditioner and keeps the luscious locks manageable and attractive.

Dandruff

Aloe Vera is an excellent remedy for treating dandruff.  Massaging aloe Vera gel to the affected parts besides reducing prevents further occurrence.