Aloe Vera

Did you know that aloe vera is one of the oldest plants on record to be used for medicinal purposes?

Aloe vera can be found in tropical climates around that world and has been used for thousands of years for agricultural and medicinal uses.

Ancient civilizations used it for everything, from baldness to insomnia. Of course, not all of the ancient remedies had any real effectiveness, but things have changed.

Today, we find it in many common household products, such as lotions, cosmetics, and ointments, and we now have the science to back its effectiveness. 

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These short stemmed plants have become big business for many different industries and chances are you have used aloe vera in one way or another.

Perhaps you’ve stayed out in the sun too long and got a painful sunburn, only to soothe it with a cool aloe vera gel.

Or maybe you have even consumed it in one of the popular aloe drinks.

There are so many benefits of aloe vera that it’s no wonder that it is one of our favorite in ingredients in Detox Organics. It is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and amino acids.

All of this is packed within the gel-like substance found in the leaves of the plant, which also contains high amounts of water.

Helps Heal Burns and Sores

If you have used aloe vera in the past, to soothe a burn is probably what you used it for, as it is one of the most common uses.

Research shows that when you apply aloe vera to first or second degree burns it can help heal the injury about nine days sooner than other methods.

Another treatment aloe vera is used for is canker sores or mouth ulcers. Chances are you have experienced a canker sore, and you know they are painful and can take over a week to heal.

While the exact cause is not certain, we do know they can show up when we are stressed or suffer from tissue damage in the mouth.

Luckily, studies show that aloe vera can help heal these painful. When applied directly to the sore, the aloe vera can help it reduce in size and pain.

Improves Skin Health

We all want to look better and feel better, especially as we age, and none of us like when we begin to see new wrinkles litter our face. Luckily, aloe vera may be able to help prevent new wrinkles and decrease the appearance of existing ones.

Research has shown aloe vera can increase collagen and improve skin elasticity, while also reducing redness.

This leads to healthier, younger looking skin.

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Throughout history, aloe vera has been used to help people with diabetes and may prove to help in blood sugar management. 

Although more study needs to be done, there have been past studies that show promising effects on those with type 2 diabetes.

A particular study gave patients with type 2 diabetes a tablespoon of aloe vera twice a day for two weeks and saw a fall in blood sugar and triglyceride levels, while not affecting cholesterol levels. 

Lowers Cholesterol

Some research has shown that aloe vera may be useful as a natural laxative to reduce constipation. This can help keep you regular and your digestion healthy. 

Soothes Arthritis

Studies have shown that aloe vera can be an effective anti-inflammatory and can help ease the pain associated with arthritis.

One study, in particular, showed a 48% improvement in rats with arthritis inflammation. A further human study, in vitro, shows that aloe vera also positively affects inflammation in humans due to Lupeol, a sterol found in aloe vera that is known to have anti-inflammatory effects within the human body.

What is the Best Way to Use Aloe Vera?

There are many ways to use aloe vera, and it all depends on what you are using it for. If you are using it to heal burns, you will want to apply the aloe topically. The same goes for if you want to improve the elasticity of your skin.

But if you want to manage blood sugar, use it to help keep you regular, or soothe inflammation then consumption is the best.

It is advised to consume aloe vera in small amounts, such as is present within Detox Organics. Like many things, too much can have side effects, but in small amounts, you can get all the benefits without the worry.

 

References

1. Maenthaisong, R., Chaiyakunapruk, N., Niruntraporn, S., & Kongkaew, C. (2007). The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. burns, 33(6), 713-718. 
2. Bhalang, K., Thunyakitpisal, P., & Rungsirisatean, N. (2013). Acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe vera, is effective in the treatment of oral aphthous ulceration. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(5), 429-434. 
3. Babaee, N., Zabihi, E., Mohseni, S., & Moghadamnia, A. A. (2012). Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Dental research journal, 9(4).
4. Cho, S., Lee, S., Lee, M. J., Lee, D. H., Won, C. H., Kim, S. M., & Chung, J. H. (2009). Dietary Aloe vera supplementation improves facial wrinkles and elasticity and it increases the type I procollagen gene expression in human skin in vivo. Annals of dermatology, 21(1), 6-11.
5. Fox, L. T., Du Plessis, J., Gerber, M., Van Zyl, S., Boneschans, B., & Hamman, J. H. (2014). In vivo skin hydration and anti-erythema effects of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii gel materials after single and multiple applications. Pharmacognosy magazine, 10(38), 392. 
6. Yongchaiyudha, S., Rungpitarangsi, V., Bunyapraphatsara, N., & Chokechaijaroenporn, O. (1996). Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine, 3(3), 241-243.
7. Bunyapraphatsara, N., Yongchaiyudha, S., Rungpitarangsi, V., & Chokechaijaroenporn, O. (1996). Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine, 3(3), 245-248.
8. Foster M, Hunter D, Samman S. Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
9. Rahmani, A. H., Aldebasi, Y. H., Srikar, S., Khan, A. A., & Aly, S. M. (2015). Aloe vera: Potential candidate in health management via modulation of biological activities. Pharmacognosy reviews, 9(18), 120.