The Potential Healing Power Of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is very well known as the plant that helps to heal burns, sun burns, scalds, cuts and scrapes. The gel that comes from the plant is soothing, smooth and cooling. It is very easy to keep a potted plant of aloe on your windowsill. Snip off a small piece of the leaf with scissors and rub the gel over any cut or burn for instant relief. Everyone should have a potted aloe in their window.

The gel that comes from a slit leaf coats the skin to form a natural protection. It is almost like an instant bandage. The gel of aloe contains aloin. Aloin is the reddish brown sap in the outer leaf of the aloe plant. Aloin is a chemical substance that speeds up the healing process but is also a natural laxative. Aloin is found in aloe vera juice but very little of the compound is found in aloe vera gel. Prior to 2003, aloin was commonly used in over the counter laxatives but then was classified as a class III ingredient and banned in over the counter use by the Food and Drug Administration.

Aloe gel is safe for use particularly on the skin. Many major companies include aloe vera in cosmetics, sun lotion, moisturizers, soap, shampoo and shaving cream. It is commonly used in lotion tissues that soothe the irritaed skin area of the nose when people suffer from colds.

Aloe vera is making its way into the food industry as well. It is used to preserve fresh foods and to gel foods in certain recipes.

Besides the common use of aloe for burns and in skin care lotions, there is a myriad of uses that you may not know much about. Aloe has anti-viral and bacterial properties and is full of beneficial compounds that aid in well being. Let's look at some of these benefits.

1. Aloe helps to boost the immune system
2. It has been proven to destroy certain cancerous tumors in vitro.
3. It reduces inflammation which makes it beneficial to the arthritis sufferer.
4. Aloe can reduce bad cholesterol.
5. Aloe stabilizes blood sugar.
6. Helps to kill candida.
7. Aids with ulcers and other stomach ailments like IBS.
8. Hydrates the skin.
9. Replaces electrolytes.
10. Prevents oxidative stress on the body.

You can easily incorporate aloe into your lifestyle by growing the plant in your home. If you live in a desert like climate you can grow your aloe vera outdoors.

Cut off a small piece of the plant and squeeze the gel into your morning juice to receive the above stated benefits. You can also incorporate aloe vera into your regimen with the following recipe.

Aloe Lemonade Recipe

2 cups of water

2 inches of aloe gel

1 cup of lemon juice

10 ice cubes

1-2 Tbsp. of raw honey or sweetener like Stevia

Fillet the aloe leaf by removing the outer skin so that you have only 2 inches of the gelatinous inside remaining. Blend it all together and serve over ice with a slice of fresh lemon. Substitute lime juice for the cup of lemon juice to make a refreshing limeaid. This recipe is full of vitamin C and tastes wonderful.