A lot of people keep Aloe Vera plant in their home as a decorative one that requires little attention. However, many of them aren’t aware of its incredible healing properties, although they are known ever since the ancient times.
Aloe Barbadensis, or Aloe Vera, was considered a sacred plant among ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. It has also been used in Latin America, South Africa, and the Caribbean for a long period of time.
As reported by the University Of Maryland Medical Center, 18th and 19th century doctors in the U.S. have often prescribed Aloe as a medicine. Nowadays, it is still one of the most used medicinal plants throughout the country.
Aloe Vera Benefits
Besides using it as a general tonic, ingesting Aloe is a common home remedy for osteoarthritis, fever, asthma, mouth sores, and ulcerative colitis. Many people use it as a natural beauty product.
You can also apply the gel topically to treat burns, sunburns, infections, cuts, and other wounds. It offers analgesic properties, and fights itching and inflammation.
Polysaccharides and lycoproteins are the two potent immune-boosting compounds in Aloe Vera that are responsible for these healing properties. Polysaccharides keep the skin moisturized and promote skin repair, while glycoproteins block the pain and decrease inflammation.
What’s more, many studies have actually proven that Aloe Vera is a more effective remedy for treating burns than conventional medicine, as it hastens the healing process and reduces the pain.
Moreover, this incredible plant treats genital herpes, constipation, canker sores, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, dental conditions, upper respiratory tract infection, inflammatory bowel disease, high cholesterol, cancer, and reduces the levels of blood sugar in type 2 diabetics.
How to Use Aloe Vera Gel
Provide the following things:
- An aloe plant
- Fresh lemon juice
- A sharp filleting knife
- A clean cutting board
- A clean plate
- A sterile glass jar
- A clean cotton towel
- A food processor (optional)
Directions
Wash your hands to prevent contaminating the sterile gel. Cut a thick and juicy 4-6 inch long mature Aloe Vera leaf, without harming the others. Wash and dry the Aloe leaf and leave it on a plate at a 45 degree angle to drain out its juice. This should take around 15 minutes. The yellowish juice is a powerful laxative that might cause digestive distress.
After this period, remove the sharp edges of the leaf from the sides using a clean knife and a cutting board. Remove the green outer shell gently filleting the leaf, and try to lose as little gel as possible while doing so. Repeat the process until the entire green part is removed. Cut the Aloe gel into cubes using a clean knife, and store them into a sterile glass jar. Harvest any remaining gel running the knife along the green scraps.
To help your gel last longer, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it. Roughly, you’ll need ¼ lemon for a cup of gel. After this, shake to coat evenly. You can make your gel smoother by blending it in a food processor on high. But this is optional. Transfer it in a jar, seal it, and keep it in the fridge for up to one week.
Consume 30 milliliters 3 times daily for medicinal use, but first consult a naturopath. For treating various wounds, use the gel topically by applying it directly onto them few times a day until your wound is completely healed.