Aloe Vera is a very easy to grow plant that can have many benefits on your health! This little plant is not only good for soothing sun burn. Aloe Vera as medicine? Read up on the many uses of Aloe and start adding it to your medicine cabinet. You’ll love how easy it to grow and use.
How to Use Aloe Vera as Medicine
Back in June of this year a reader of this website named Karen left this comment:
“I used to suffer from HORRIBLE hives (brought on by work stress) and it took 2 years of expensive medication, creams, lotions, quitting my job, etc…to finally discover relief: ALOE VERA! That’s right, the stuff used for burn relief has so many other uses and because it is not as popular as it was 30 years ago, it’s time to make it popular again.
Some of it’s uses are identified by TLC (see”40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera”) and as they state “… it doesn’t hurt that aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.”
Aloe Vera was my skin saver and it would make a great future post/topic.”I completely agree Karen! So I’ve been researching this “miracle plant” to discover what OTHER things it can do. It turns out, the aloe vera plant that has been around for over 4,000 years can do a heck of a lot MORE than soothe minor burns!
Let’s explore some of them shall we???
Here are my favorites from that list:
- Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
- Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen — from grease splatters or hot utensils — with a mix of aloe gel and vitamin E oil.
- Soothe and heal sunburns. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
- Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
- For soft feet make an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
- Swab over blisters for quick relief.
- Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!
- Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
- Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together 2 tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
- For rougher patches of skin, mix together an organic salt scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
- Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
Pretty impressive list huh? That’s just the BEGINNING of the things this humble (dare I say, homely?) plant can do!
Here are some more amazing uses for this indispensable household ally!
1. Reduces Eye Puffiness
Put a little under your eyes after a long night. Takes the puffiness right away! Cotton balls soaked in refrigerated Aloe Vera Gel also provides a great compress for tired, puffy eyes.2. Prevent/Fade Stretch Marks, Age Spots, Freckles
Begin massaging aloe vera on your stomach twice a day and continue throughout your pregnancy and after delivery for a few months until any stretch marks fade.
3. Hemorrhoid Relief
The very same anti-inflammatory constituents that reduce blistering and inflammation in burns also help reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids. Break off a piece of the aloe vera leaf and apply only the clear gel to the hemorrhoids.4. Intestinal Problems Remedy
Taken internally, it heals stomach ulcers and heartburn, and in general soothes the digestive tract. Adverse effects reported from ingesting Aloe Vera include diarrhea and kidney trouble.5. Strengthen Weak Nails
Gently massage aloe on your nail beds every day for a few weeks and watch them gain their former luster.6. Soothe Razor Burn.
Rub onto razor burns for some much-needed relief!7. Makeup Remover
Safely removes eye makeup and is gentle on the delicate skin around your eyes.
8. Skin & Sunburn Soothe
Acne, eczema, and skin irritation respond well to the natural antiseptics in Aloe. Apply gel 2-3 times a day to the area until it is healed. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol which makes it a great way to sooth sunburns. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn.9. Natural Shaving Gel and Aftershave
Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory thanks to its enzymes and with its high water content, it is very hydrating. It provides a smooth surface on your skin giving you a very close shave. Aloe also can be used as an aftershave to prevent razor burn.10. Wrinkle Repair
Skin loves Vitamins C and E which are present in Aloe, helping to improve skins firmness and keep it hydrated. Combining virgin coconut oil can make a creamier way to supplement nutrients, essential fats and moisture. Aloe Vera gel penetrates skin almost four times faster than water, and its super emollient qualities help it moisturize the under layers of skin.11. Cold and Flu
Aloe Vera boosts the immune system. It contains a long list of Phytonutrients. It contains Vitamin A, B, C, E. It contains a long list of minerals, plant sterols and enzymes.12. Vitamin B12 for Vegans
The main medicinal use of aloe vera is to support and improve bacteria flora. In addition aloe vera contains the correct combinations of minerals that the bacteria needs to produce Vitamin B12.13. Energy Booster
Another medicinal use of aloe vera is boosting energy levels. This is due to the vitamin b complexes and other nutrients that aid in converting a higher percentage of the food in your stomach to energy.14. Eliminating Dandruff
Mix it with your shampoo, hair conditioner, and other hair care products. Or….before bedtime wet hair thoroughly with aloe vera juice and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly in the morning.15. Menstrual Cramps
Aloe vera gel and black pepper: Take a spoon of the gel with a pinch of pepper three times a day till you get relief.16. Hair Smoother
Aloe vera gel fights frizz in hair and is a great replacement for expensive styling products.17. Natural Hand Sanitizer
Combine 5-10 drops lavender essential oil; 30 drops tea tree essential oil; 1 Tablespoon witch hazel; 8 ounces 100% pure aloe vera gel. Add several drops of Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative to increase shelf life of this product. (It will also help soften hands!)18. Leave-in Conditioner/Scalp Soother
Mix aloe vera gel with a little rosemary essential oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil, squirt on scalp and ends of hair. Do not rinse, and this mixture soothes an itchy scalp and softens hair.19.Natural Mouthwash
Make a homemade aloe vera mouthwash by mixing 2 ounces of Aloe Vera Gel; 3 teaspoons of baking soda; 1 ounce of water, preferably room temperature; 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 5 – 10 drops peppermint essential oil. Rinse..and repeat!20.Regularity Booster
A daily intake of 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel will act like a general tonic and as a mild regulator of the bowels.21. (In)DigestionAloe vera juice can be effective in aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach, and providing relief for heartburn.
22. Cholesterol Lowering
Studies have shown that drinking aloe vera juice can safely lower cholesterol over time.23. Psoriasis
Aloe Vera gel softens and soothes this painful and itchy skin condition. Just apply the gel directly on the skin three times a day for about a month. Studies show an almost 85 percent effective rate of this disease.24. Acne Treatment
Aloe Vera clears acne by removing the dead cells, thus opening the skin pores and removal of the blocked oil. Apply directly on the outbreak. Scars that have been left by acne can also be treated with aloe.
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