The prickly aloe vera plant has long been known for its skin-healing properties, but the health benefits don’t end there. With an impressive array of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and energy-giving qualities, chances are we could all use a bit of aloe in our lives.
We’re all familiar with the bright green gel extracted from the leaves of the plant, which are often sold as after-sun treatments to soothe sunburn. Originally applied by snapping open the leaves and rubbing them on to the affected area, aloe has been used to treat burns for centuries.
This is due to the plant’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which heal the affected tissue while its soothing, cooling effect reduces pain. Eczema sufferers find that aloe gel reduces the burning pain and itching caused by their condition, and it’s a great alternative to more greasy, manufactured creams.
Many people find that these anti-inflammatory properties are helpful elsewhere in the body as well, in particular, the digestive tract. Just as it soothes and reduces inflammation on the surface of the skin, aloe calms the lining of the stomach and gut wall, which provides fantastic relief for conditions like IBS and colitis, as well as bouts of indigestion. It can be drunk as a juice or taken in tablet form, and also has a mild purgative, detoxifying effect that’s ideal when you’re wanting an internal cleanse.
Finally, aloe vera is one of the only known sources of vegetarian vitamin B12, which is essential for the formation of red blood cells. A deficiency can result in breathing problems and anaemia-like symptoms, so vegetarians will gain particular benefit from taking it as a supplement.
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