Aloe vera, a succulent plant with a rich history of medicinal and cosmetic uses, is likely the most underused natural ingredient in your home, renowned for its soothing, healing, and nourishing properties. The gel extracted from its thick leaves contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids, making it a versatile natural remedy.
Top 40 Uses of Aloe Vera
Let’s take a look at the Top 40 uses of aloe vera, focusing on its topical application (24) and consumption as a drink (16).
Using Aloe Vera Topically
- Anti-aging Skin Moisturizer: Aloe vera gel is a natural moisturizer that hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy residue. It is suitable for all skin types and can be applied directly to the face and body to keep the skin supple and soft.
- Facial Mask: Mix with oats and a mild skin oil, leave on for 15 minutes, and wash off.
- Remove Stretch Marks: Aloe vera is effective at fading or eliminating annoying stretch marks.
- Sunburn Relief: Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing properties and is often used to relieve sunburns. Applying the gel to sunburned skin helps cool the affected area, reduce redness, and accelerate healing.
- Acne Treatment: Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, aloe vera can help reduce acne and prevent new breakouts. Applying the gel to affected areas can help soothe irritation and promote clearer skin.
- Wound Healing: Aloe vera promotes wound healing by increasing collagen synthesis and improving skin elasticity. It can be applied to minor cuts, scrapes, and burns to speed up the healing process.
- Eczema and Psoriasis Relief: The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera make it effective in alleviating symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Applying the gel to affected areas can help reduce itching and inflammation.
- Hair Conditioner: Aloe vera can be used as a natural hair conditioner to nourish and hydrate the scalp and hair. It helps reduce dandruff, promotes hair growth, and leaves hair feeling soft and shiny.
- Speed up Hair Growth: Massage aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse.
- Dandruff Reduction: Mix aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil, massage into scalp, and rinse.
- Anti-frizz: Seals hair cuticles to tame frizzy hair and errant eyebrows
- Insect Bite Relief: Applying aloe vera gel to insect bites can help reduce itching and swelling, providing relief from discomfort.
- Shaving Gel: Aloe vera can be used as a natural alternative to shaving gels. Its lubricating properties allow for a smooth shave while soothing the skin.
- Post-shave Gel: Soothe post-shave redness (if you used something besides aloe to shave with).
- Warts: Aloe vera shrinks warts.
- Heal Blisters: Makes blisters heal faster.
- Rosacea: Clears up rosacea.
- Makeup Remover: Removes makeup.
- Kitchen Burns: Soothes cooking burns.
- Frostbite: Minimizes tissue damage from frostbite (if applied quickly).
- Rashes: Relieves rashes.
- Skin Pigmentation: Smooth out uneven pigmentation and dark spots.
- Bruising: Reduce skin discoloration from bruises.
- Athlete’s Foot: Clear up athlete’s foot with aloe vera.
Drinking Aloe Vera
- Digestive Health: Aloe vera juice is known for its digestive benefits. It can help soothe and cleanse the digestive tract, alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and promote regular bowel movements.
- Hydration: Aloe vera juice is an excellent way to stay hydrated. It contains essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health and help maintain hydration levels.
- Immune System Support: The antioxidants in aloe vera juice can help boost the immune system and protect the body against free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress.
- Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Consuming aloe vera juice may help reduce inflammation in the body, which can be beneficial for inflammatory disorders.
- Detoxification: Aloe vera juice can aid in detoxifying the body by promoting liver function and helping eliminate toxins from the system.
- Intestinal Dewormer: Absorbs and helps eliminate intestinal worms.
- Heart Health: Some studies suggest that aloe vera juice may help lower cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health.
- Weight Management: Aloe vera juice can aid in weight management by promoting a healthy metabolism and reducing fat accumulation in the body.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Consuming aloe vera juice may help regulate blood sugar levels, making it potentially beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- Eyes and Ears: Relieve redness and inflammation of eyes and ears
- Allergies: Alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. It’s rich in helpful fatty acids such as campesterol, HCL cholesterol, and B-sitosterol.
- Fat & Cholesterol: Reduce the amount of fat in the blood, and subsequently bad cholesterol levels, because of those fatty acids.
- Joint Inflammation: Reduce inflammation in joints and conditions like arthritis.
- Constipation and Diarrhea: Aloe is an adaptogen, meaning it does whatever needs to be done in the digestive system. Aloe juice enters the intestinal tract, which can absorb toxins and take them with it when it leaves the body.
- Gum and Teeth Health: Mix some in with toothpaste and brush as normal.
- Relieve Asthma Symptoms: Boil aloe leaves in water and then breathe in fumes.
How to Use Aloe Vera
Direct Application
- Topically: Cut an aloe vera leaf and extract the gel. Apply it directly to the skin or hair as needed.
- Mix with Other Ingredients: Combine aloe vera gel with other natural ingredients like DMSO, honey, coconut oil, or essential oils for enhanced benefits.
Drinking Aloe Vera
- Aloe Vera Juice: Purchase commercially prepared aloe vera juice or make your own by blending the gel with water. Start with a small amount to assess tolerance.
- Smoothies: Add aloe vera gel to your favorite smoothies for a nutritional boost.
- Herbal Teas: Mix aloe vera juice with herbal teas for added flavor and health benefits.
Aloe vera is a versatile plant with numerous benefits for both external and internal use. Whether applied to the skin or consumed as a drink, it offers a natural and effective way to promote health and wellness. By incorporating aloe vera into your daily routine, you can harness its healing properties and enjoy its many advantages.
While aloe vera is generally safe for topical and internal use, a patch test before applying it to the skin is essential to rule out allergic reactions. When consuming aloe vera juice, it’s advisable to consult with a natural healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.