Aloe vera, also known as Aloe vera, is a medicinal plant that has several health benefits, such as helping to treat reflux and gastritis, relieving constipation and preventing tooth decay.
Furthermore, aloe vera can also be used in various beauty treatments, especially on hair and skin, as it helps remove makeup, prevents the appearance of wrinkles and stimulates hair growth.
Aloe vera, whose scientific name is Aloe barbadensis, It can be purchased in natural product stores, compounding pharmacies, municipal markets and supermarkets, in the form of gels, creams, juices and capsules. This plant can also be easily grown at home, as it does not require special care.
Main benefits
The main benefits of aloe vera are:
1. Stimulate hair growth
Aloe vera has enzymes that help remove dead cells from the scalp, as well as being an excellent source of hydration and minerals for hair fibers. This way, hair can grow faster and stronger.
How to use: In a pot, add 2 egg whites with 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and mix well. Apply the mixture, ensuring that the entire hair roots are covered. Wait 5 minutes and remove with cold water and shampoo.
Dandruff is formed by plaques of dead cells, so aloe vera can be used to treat dandruff, as it contains enzymes that eliminate dead cells.
How to use: mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt. Apply the mixture to the roots of the hair, massaging the scalp for around 15 minutes. Wait 30 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. This treatment should only be done once a week.
3. Treat reflux and gastritis
Because it has anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, aloe vera is a good home remedy to treat reflux and gastritis, relieving symptoms such as burning, excess gas, nausea and stomach pain. See other home remedies recommended for reflux and gastritis.
How to use: To relieve reflux and gastritis, you can prepare aloe vera juice by blending 100 g of aloe vera gel and 1 liter of water in a blender, and drinking up to 3 glasses (100 ml) of this juice per day. Learn more about Aloe vera juice.
4. Combat hair loss
Aloe helps in the production of collagen and, therefore, helps to fix the hair fibers on the scalp, preventing hair loss. Furthermore, this medicinal plant has minerals and water, strengthening the entire fiber and making it stronger and less brittle.
How to use: Mix 2 tablespoons of Aloe vera with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a pot, and apply all over clean hair. Leave to act for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove with cold water and shampoo. Repeat this process once a week.
5. Avoid skin infections
Aloe vera, in the form of a cream or gel, prevents skin infections as it is rich in polyphenols, antioxidant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action that prevent the growth of bacteria that can cause infections. Thus, aloe vera can help heal wounds, treat burns and ulcers.
How to use: wash the area to be treated well and apply aloe vera gel, with gauze or cotton, to the affected area 3 times a day.
6. Prevent cavities
Aloe vera can be used as a mouthwash, as it can help reduce bacterial plaque, which is a colorless film composed of bacteria that form and adhere to the teeth, being the main cause of cavities, tartar and gingivitis.
In addition, mouthwash with aloe vera also helps to soothe mouth sores, mouth ulcers or burns on the tongue caused by hot food, for example.
How to use: To make aloe vera mouthwash, you must mix the aloe vera gel in a glass of water and stir until completely dissolved. Then add a pinch of baking soda to the water and rinse 2 to 3 times a day.
7. Relieve constipation
As it has a prebiotic action, aloe vera relieves constipation by stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, balancing the intestinal flora and improving its functioning.
How to use: You can drink up to 3 glasses (100 ml) of aloe vera juice per day. If necessary, 1 tablespoon of honey and a fruit, such as lemon or orange, can also be added to improve the flavor of the drink.
In addition, Aloe vera capsules can be used, the daily recommendation of which is 1 capsule per day before lunch, and should only be used under medical supervision.
8. Control diabetes
Aloe vera can help control diabetes, as this medicinal plant improves insulin sensitivity, balancing blood glucose levels.
However, more studies with humans are needed to prove the benefits of aloe vera in controlling diabetes.
How to use: you can take 200 ml of aloe vera juice up to 3 times a day, as larger amounts can have the opposite effect and cause stomach irritation.
9. Relieve skin irritation
Applying aloe vera gel to the skin provides quick relief from itching and burns related to prolonged sun exposure.
Furthermore, aloe vera can also be used to treat psoriasis, dermatitis and oral mucositis, as it helps to reduce itching, scaling and redness.
How to use: cut a part of the aloe leaf, remove the gel and apply directly to the area to be treated 3 times a day. In case of cracked nipples, apply Aloe vera gel to the affected area after breastfeeding.
10. Fight wrinkles
Aloe vera stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, which is the substance responsible for maintaining elasticity and firmness. Therefore, when used regularly, aloe vera hydrates and helps to reduce wrinkles and eliminate some expression marks.
How to use: Apply, with your fingers, a small amount of aloe vera gel to the areas where the most wrinkles and expression lines are observed. Give the area a light massage and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Then remove the aloe vera with cold water and neutral soap.
11. Remove makeup from your face
Aloe vera can be used to remove makeup from the face, as it does not contain chemical substances, promotes skin hydration and relieves irritation caused by substances present in makeup.
How to use: Put some aloe vera gel on a piece of cotton and lightly rub it on the areas of your face with makeup. Then wash your face with warm water and neutral soap.
12. Lighten the skin
Aloe vera contains aloin and aloesin, substances with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, which reduce or prevent pigmentation, helping to lighten the skin naturally, making it a good home remedy option for dark spots or melasma. See other home remedies to remove skin blemishes.
How to use: cut the aloe leaf, remove the gel from the inside and apply, with gauze or cotton, the aloe gel on the area to be whitened, leaving it to act for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
What is it for
Aloe vera contains mucilaginous substances and quercetin, which function as emollients, serving to renew damaged skin cells, in addition to having polysaccharides and plant hormones that serve to stimulate and hydrate cells.
Furthermore, as it is rich in vitamin A, B, C and E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc and phosphate, Aloe vera acts on tissues, having a healing effect, in addition to helping to strengthen the immune system.
Aloe vera can also be used to promote hair and skin health and to help treat anemia, arthritis, headache, muscle pain, wounds, flu, insomnia, athlete’s foot, inflammatory changes, constipation and digestive problems. .
Possible side effects
Ingesting aloe vera can cause cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, reddish urine, liver problems and hypokalemia, a condition caused by a lack of potassium in the blood, causing symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, tingling, numbness and cardiac arrhythmia.
Using aloe vera on the skin can cause redness, dermatitis and a burning sensation in some people, which may be associated with the presence of anthraquinone residues in the gel used.
When not indicated
Aloe vera is not recommended for people who are allergic to aloe vera or any other plant in the Xanthorrhoeaceae family.
Aloe vera intake is contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 12 years of age, people with diarrhea, liver problems, intestinal obstructions or stenosis, atony (lack of normal muscle movement), appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, colitis ulcer, unexplained stomach pain or severe dehydration.
People with diabetes or who are using medications or other medicinal plants should always consult a doctor before ingesting aloe vera. This is because aloe vera can alter the action of some medicines.
