Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair, Skin and Weight loss

Let us explore benefits of Aloe Vera known as “Ghrat Kumari ” in Hindi. It is some times also described as “Wonder Plant” for its medicinal properties particularly for Hair, Skin and Weight Loss. The plant has typically green leaves which are thick and fleshy as it stores water in its leaves. It is used both topically and orally.

There are many benefits of Aloe Vera , click on any link below to browse that specific benefit in detail.

Benefits of Aloe Vera on Skin

World and most likely you is not a stranger to benefits of Aloe Vera in cosmetics and Skin treatment. The existing mucilage tissue at the center of leaves in this plant (also called as aloe gel) is used for various cosmetics and medical applications. Let us understand in detail the benefits of Aloe Vera on the skin.

Moisturizes dry skin

Aloe Vera is known to be a natural moisturizer. It has 99% of water in its leaves and helps moisturizing the oil skin as well as it absorbs into the skin well. It is ideal to apply Aloe Vera after taking bath as then it helps retaining moisture with in the skin.

Avoids signs ageing on skin

As you grow with the age, the inner layer of your skin begins to thin out making the skin saggy and you start observing the wrinkles. Aloe Vera is a natural anti ageing agent which has vitamins C and E that are skin friendly and consumption of Aloe Vera helps making skin more elastic and less saggy.

Aloe Vera has a tendency to stimulate generation of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts is a tissue which helps in the formation of collagen and elastin. They both helps keeping the skin elastic. And thus applying Aloevera on the skin helps keeping the skin elastic and it is used widely for this purpose.

Get rid of eye wrinkles and dark circles

Due to Aloe Vera having the vitamins A, C and E, it helps in healing and nourishing of the skin. You should cleanse your face and then apply the pure Aloe Vera gel softly (don’t rub it hard) under the eyes. Make sure it doesn’t come in direct contact with your eye.

Acne Reliever

Aloe Vera has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This also helps in avoiding and relieving the pimples and acnes. This is due to its effect in reducing the bacterial growth which is an important cause of them. Applying a small potion of pure Aloe Vera gel helps you to get rid of them.

Burn

Applying Aloe Vera on the minor burn which are 1st or 2nd degree helps to recover the skin faster with its natural medicinal abilities. It is anti inflammatory and reduces the bacterial growth. You can mix Aloe Vera gel with honey and apply on the part burnt for 2 – 3 hours. This would help in repair of the skin.

Sun Burn

Aloe Vera is also known as “Burn Plant” for its healing abilities of the sun burn. It moisturize the skin and hence helps in avoiding the peeling of the skin associated with sub burn. It is advisable to keep the Aloe Vera gel in the refrigerator for some time as it further helps in cooling down and faster skin recovery.

Small Cuts and Abrasions

Aloe Vera is quite useful remedy for the minor cuts on the skin. According to studies, Aloe Vera contains two chemicals that aids in skin healing. Polysaccharides have been known to increase cellular movement, helping in faster tissue regrowth for skin recovery. Glycoproteins on the other hand, helps as a pain reliever and also has anti inflammatory properties.

Benefits of Aloe Vera on Hair

Aloe Vera is good for your hair health due to the vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that helps in hair growth though it is not yet scientifically proven with empirical evidence.

Seborrheic eczema, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a very common skin condition that causes redness, scaly patches, and dandruff. It is claimed that Aloe Vera helps in the treatment of the same. It is also claimed that as Aloe Vera keeps the scalp healthy which stimulates hair growth.

Here are factors that helps Aloe Vera in keeping your hair healthy and stimulates its growth

1. Aloe Vera also helps in stimulating blood circulation that helps in the nutrition of Hair follicles resulting in healthy hair and its growth.
2. It contains Proteolytic enzymes which naturally stimulates hair growth.
3. It is also claimed that it forms a protective layer of protein over the hair which helps in keeping the hair safe from outside environmental hazards.
4. It helps in restoring the pH balance of the hair making it healthier.

How to make natural Aloe Vera gel?

Select a big thick leave so that it has good enough pulp inside it. Take a sharp knife and cut the leaf. Now, you can scalp the cover of the leaf to get the pulp inside the same. Mesh this pulp and your gel is ready. You can store this in refrigerator but do not freeze it.

How to use Aloe Vera for hair benefits?

It is advisable to apply this gel to the root of the hair first and then rub it to the full hair. Though if you have less time, you can apply this gel to the hair just like hair oil. This should help in healthy hair and stimulating hair growth.

You can also also mix the Aloe Vera gel with curd and Multani mitti if possible for better results.

If you don’t have Aloe Vera plant at your home, do not worry you can buy this from Amazon in India. We recommend Patanjali Aloe Vera Hair Gel .

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Weight loss

Drinking of Aloe Vera juice helps in reducing weight because of its laxative properties. Let us explore the reasons for the same.

• Aloe Vera contains a complex carbohydrate known as acemannan helps in detoxification of the digestive tract.
• It contains Vitamin B that helps in boosting metabolism and reduces body fat.
• Aloe Vera has laxative properties that soften the stool which further aids in digestion and accentuates weight loss. This also helps in reducing water weight.
• Regular consumption of Aloe Vera is claimed to be good for heart as it helps in reducing Cholesterol.

While there are many benefits, caution should be exercised not to consume Aloe Vera in excess as it may lead to Diarrohea and other problems.

How to make and consume Aloe Vera juice?

Take pure Aloe Vera gel and mix it with water in a pan. Heat it while constantly stirring it until the gel is blended. Put some lemon drops and consume it at as the first drink in the morning. This will help in detoxification.

Alternatively, you can also take fresh Aloe Vera gel and mix it with fresh vegetables in a juicer and take it as a smoothie for weight loss.

If you don’t have Aloe Vera plant at home you can buy it from amazon.in

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Arthritis Pain

Aloe Vera helps in Arthritis and joint pain due to its anti inflammatory properties. There are anecdotal evidences that suggest the effectiveness of Aloe Vera in the treatment of Arthritis when consumed orally (Aloe Vera Juice) or topically (Aloe Vera gel).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease in which the patient has pain in the joints. This is because of the body immune system mistakenly attacks the body parts like joint membranes. This causes inflammation which leads to pain. Aloe Vera due to its anti inflammatory properties alleviates this pain.

How to apply Aloe Vera gel on joints?

Apply a small potion of Aloe Vera gel on the joints and check if you are having any reaction due to the same. While it is safe to apply Aloe Vera gel at the joints but it has been seem in a few to cause rashes and itchiness. If you are not feeling any irritation, apply it on the full joint. Regular application of the gel on joints should alleviate the pain.

Oral consumption of Aloe Vera gel

Oral consumption of small potion of Aloe Vera juice helps in reducing Arthritis pain as it has been claimed to reduce Immune responses of the body.

Benefits of Aloe Vera for lowering of blood sugar

Aloe Vera has anti diabetic effects that helps in controlling the blood sugar of patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. American researchers published a report in “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” highlighting the effect of oral consumption of Aloe Vera in reducing the Blood Sugar levels.

Aloe Vera has glucomannan, anthraquinones and lectins. This is easily soluble in water and helps in controlling blood sugar levels.

How to orally consume Aloe Vera to control Diabetes?

Extract a table spoon of Aloe Vera gel. Mix it with fresh orange fruit juice. Consume 30 ml of this twice a day. Consumption of both Aloe Vera gel and juice is suggested to lower the blood sugar levels.

If you don’t have a Aloe Vera plant at home, you can buy Aloe Vera juice from amazon.

Side Effects of Aloe Vera Gel

Every coin has two sides and excess of any thing would be bad. Aloe Vera gel known for its medicinal properties is no exception. Let us understand the side effects of Aloe Vera based on its consumption:

Applying Topically :

When applying Topically, it may cause irritation for very few cases. Hence it is recommended to apply Aloe Vera on a very small part and if you don’t feel any irritation, go ahead and use it for the application you would like to use.

It is not recommended to apply Aloe Vera if the burn is more than 2nd degree or the wound is not a minor cut.

Consuming Orally :

Common side effects of Aloe Vera Gel while consuming orally are:

1. Lower Blood Sugar
2. Diarrohea
3. Uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms

It is generally considered safe to consume Aloe Vera gel in a dose of 15 ml daily. You can slowly increase the same up to 100 ml as per your body response and physician recommendations.

Note: While Aloe Vera gel and juice are recommended for oral consumption. Aloe Latex which is just under the skin of the Aloe Leaf is not recommended for Oral consumption.

P.S. Though Aloe Vera has many medicinal properties but it is still advisable to take the advise of a physician before its application/consumption.

References: Read more on Growveggy