The benefits of Aloe Vera.
First off,
Why does the Aloe Vera plant store beneficial compounds?
Aloe Vera grows in sandy and coastal rock areas that are nitrified, and are at least 200 meters above sea level. The exact origin of the plant is theorized to be the Arabian Peninsula, but it has become naturalized in subtropical and temperate regions of both of the earth hemispheres.
These harsh conditions made it so the Aloe Vera plant had to develop a method of effectively storing water and nutrients for long periods of time. In these arid climates, water is hard to come by and the little you get you need to store away. This is the reason why the fleshy leaves of the Aloe are chock full of compounds that are beneficial for the plant, and, as luck would have it, for humans as well.
Where does the best Aloe come from?
Aloe Vera is found in many parts of the planet and it is not known where its actual origin is. The good news about this “magical” plant is that it grows even in harsh conditions: yes, you will be able to grow Aloe at your place and benefit from it!. A good example of how Aloe can grow literally everywhere is the dry and volcanic Canary Islands in Spain. These tourist islands are perfect locations to find Aloe Plants. Lanzarote, one of the islands in the archipelago produces a very particular variety of Aloe Vera. The Aloe that grows on the Canary Islands is exceptionally excellent and is held as some of the best in the world for its high purity. Cosmetic companies have flocked to the islands since the end of the 20th century to harvest these amazing plants and use them in their products.
The climate of Lanzarote is perfect to help the Aloe plant to produce a natural gel that is so pure that it does not need to be treated in any way before consumption. The Canarian aloe is so good that the temperature of the gel doesn’t have to be manipulated, nor does it have to be pressurized or stabilized at all. And it is these natural properties that make Canarian Aloe so sought after by the best European cosmetic companies.
The island of Lanzarote in particular is perfect for the production of Aloe Vera. It grows everywhere on Lanzarote: in parks, in gardens, on the side of the road, and of course in large plantations. The locals, knowing the quality of their Aloe, have been using the plant in skin treatments at wellness centers, spas, and hotels across the archipelago. But you will find the best treatments on the Island of Lanzarote. Crowds flock to the island every year to relax and pamper themselves at one of Lanzarote’s all-inclusive hotels.
Skincare
Whether you use Canarian Aloe or not, the gel contains most of the beneficial bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Aloe has a wide variety of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols as well as many antibacterial compounds. It is these polyphenols, along with several other compounds stored within the aloe vera plant that help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans.
This is why Aloe is a great natural heal wounds and treat skin problems. The most common use of Aloe is as a topical medication, rubbing it onto the skin rather than eating it.
Some studies seem to suggest that Aloe is an effective topical treatment for first and second-degree burns. For example, an analysis of several different experimental studies found that aloe vera was capable of reducing the healing time of burns by about 9 days compared with other conventional medications, as well as reducing itching, redness, and infections.
You may know that you can purchase bottled aloe vera gel but you can also take it directly from the leaf of an aloe plant, and get the same results.
Consuming Aloe Vera
Another way of taking advantage of the benefits of Aloe Vera is to take it orally.
One use of Aloe that has been proven to be beneficial is as a mouthwash. Tooth decay and gum disease are extremely common health problems. The best way to avoid these maladies is by reducing the buildup of bacterial biofilms, or plaque on your teeth. Well, using pure aloe vera as a mouth rinse has been proven to be just as effective as other chemicals in reducing dental plaque. The reason is that Aloe vera is very effective in killing the plaque-producing bacterias in the mouth, as well as the yeast. In this article in Nature magazine, you can get more insights about possible healing powers of this plant.
Aloe is also a great natural remedy to treat canker sores. Studies have shown that aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of these bothersome mouth ulcers. Aloe vera gel not only accelerates the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduces the pain associated with them.
If you are interested in eating Aloe Vera, you should know that Aloe vera juice is a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals. These antioxidants help to lower oxidative stress on your body and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer. Aloe vera juice is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, folic acid, Calcium, and magnesium.
But it is the magnesium that makes Aloe Vera juice so great. Aloe contains high levels of magnesium, which is a vital nutrient for your nerves and muscles. Magnesium also aids your body in over 300 different enzyme reactions, including the ones that help regulate your blood pressure and heart rhythm.
Now, contrary to popular belief, aloe vera does not appear to be effective against other digestive conditions. Many people use Aloe as a natural way of treating things like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, but there is no real medical evidence that this is an effective treatment. It can, however, help to reduce blood sugar levels.
People sometimes use aloe vera as a remedy for diabetes. This is because it may enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management. The quality of the existing studies is not great, so doctors and scientists do not currently recommend using aloe vera for this purpose, but the evidence is promising.
Well, that pretty much does it. Aloe Vera has been used for centuries as a natural form of skincare to cure ailments and as a cosmetic enhancer. It is an amazing and peculiar plant that adapted over thousands of years to survive in harsh climates and in the process learned how to concentrate a vast array of beneficial compounds. So, be kind to yourself and use Aloe Vera. You can grow it at home. You can buy it in many different formats and for many different purposes, and you can also enjoy it during a vacation at some of the destinations where it grows, like the resorts of Lanzarote in the Canary islands!
Be kind to yourself and use Aloe Vera is a feature post