How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for its Many Benefits

The Healing Aloe Vera Plant

Oh, the wonderful things that pure aloe vera gel can be used for. For years, I knew that the gel from the aloe vera plant was a good healing agent when applied to burns, scrapes and wounds. But I have come to learn just how much more I could use aloe vera gel for, and here, I will share some of these uses and benefits.

Instructions

1. 

   USE ALOE VERA FOR THE SKIN
   Apply the gel from an aloe vera leaf directly onto skin abrasions, cuts, sunburns, scalds, blisters, cold sores, rashes, and insect bites to help fight bacteria and avoid infection. The gel also has the ability to soothe pain and regenerate skin cells to promote healing with no or little scaring. Apply aloe gel 2-3 times a day to the area/wound until it is healed.

   Use aloe vera gel for general skin care. Use the gel alone or along with your favorite skin cream to help better soften and moisturize the skin. Because aloe regenerates skin cells it is also known to reduce wrinkles, eczema, acne, sun/age spots, and other blemishes. It is also gentle enough to use to care for the tender skin after radiation therapy.

   The gel taken from the aloe vera plant can also be combined with wheat-germ oil and safflower flower to reduce bruising.

2. 

   TRY ALOE ON THE SCALP AND HAIR
   Applying aloe vera gel to the scalp is a good treatment for dandruff, seborrhea (dermatitis), psoriasis and hair loss that has resulted from these conditions.

   Use the gel from an aloe vera plant to substitute your commercial hair gel; rub or comb small amounts through your hair and style as usual.

3. 

   USE ALOE VERA FOR PERIODONTAL CARE
   Apply aloe vera gel directly to damaged or diseased gums to reduce inflammation, pain, and to promote healing. Include aloe gel in dental hygiene regimens to help fight tooth decay and reduce plaque.

4. TRY ALOE FOR EYE CARE
   To create an eyewash, dissolve ½ tsp of powdered aloe gel in one cup of water. To accelerate the healing process add one teaspoon of boric acid. Pour the solution through a coffee filter before applying to the eyes.

5. 

   TRY ALOE FOR STRAINS AND MUSCLE PAINS
   Because the gel of the aloe vera plant is known to absorb quickly into the skin and reduce inflammation and pain, it also works well on sprains, strains, muscle pains and arthritic pain. Apply aloe gel along with a cold compress to the sore area 2-3 times per day.

6. 

   USE ALOE FOR INTERNAL BENEFITS
   Aloe gel is believed to provide relief from stomach disorders, kidney ailments, and headaches, just to name a few of aloe's internal healing benefits.

   Using the yellow juice, called latex found just beneath the surface of the leaves can serve as a powerful laxative.

   The gel from aloe vera also contains magnesium lactate that serves as an antihistamine, which may help to relieve sinus and chest inflammations caused by allergies.

   Because aloe can have a strong laxative affect do not ingest the yellow latex found in the skin of the leaf or be cautious of the amount taken as a laxative. It is best to ingest aloe by gently blending the gel, taken from between the leafs, in a blender with juice or water.

7. 

   GROW YOUR OWN ALOE VERA PLANT
   Using pure aloe vera gel from its plant form is best, as its cellular activity tends to be reduced when mixed with other chemicals.

   Growing your own aloe vera plant can be fairly easy as its only requirements are lots of warm sun and little water. It does not like cold temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or cold, drafty areas. It takes the aloe vera plant about 4 years to reach full maturity of about two feet tall, which is when the gel from an aloe vera leaf holds its greatest benefits. Be sure to transplant it to larger pots as it outgrows it's current one.

Tips & Warnings

• Wonder if aloe vera gel will help a certain ailment? Research it. It just might!

• This article is not intended to replace the diagnoses or treatment of a health care professional.

• Discontinue using aloe vera gel topically if you experience an allergic reaction, such as welts.

• If you are pregnant, check with a doctor about taking aloe gel internally.

• Check with your doctor about using gel from aloe vera if you are using medicinal blood thinners, such as those taken after surgery.

Resources

• How to Make Aloe Lotion from Your Plants