Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant used for treating burns, stings and infections. It is derived from the leaves of the Aloe vera plant, a succulent herb native to South Africa. People apply the juice of this plant on wounds or to heal wounds, burns and cuts.
This article lists the potential health benefits of aloe vera, in particular its use as a skin-care ingredient.
In order of decreasing importance, they are listed as follows:
In general, aloe vera does not appear to prevent skin diseases, but it may be an effective, natural moisturizer, and aloe vera has a mild skin soothing effect.
This effect is due to a plant-based glycoside (also called lignans) called aloe-vera-derived Lignoceric acid (ALVA), which has a similar formula to emollients found in oils like shea butter and cocoa butter, but is much milder on the skin.
Its fragrance is also less pungent than that of the crude oil extracts used in many moisturizers.
ALVA is the active ingredient responsible for most of aloe’s skin benefits.
Several studies have found ALVA to be an effective moisturizer for the treatment of dry skin.
The bioavailability of ALVA is not high; as a result, its use is limited to topical application, though products such as gels or lotions may be used to provide adequate exposure to the skin for its active ingredient.
Lignoceric acid
Lignoceric acid is also one of the active ingredients in the aloe vera gel’s moisturizing effect, and studies have found that Lignoceric acid is present at lower levels in the gel.
The removal of ALVA during production of aloe-vera-based moisturizers could be the limiting factor for the cream’s ability to provide long-term moisture.
Aloe-vera contains some flavonoid molecules such as gamma-cinnamyl tetrapeptide, javanilic acid, xanthanic acid, and luteolin, though studies have found these to be inactive.
Aloe-vera contains the vitamin C precursor lycopene
The antioxidant capacity of aloe vera has been found to be low, a result of the low content of polyphenols, which are the main source of the antioxidant power of aloe vera.
This is in contrast to several other plant species that contain greater quantities of polyphenols.
The extent to which this affects the vitamin C activity is not currently clear.
Research in recent years has begun to examine the effects of using aloe vera extract as a pharmaceutical drug.
Studies have found aloe vera to be a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
It is likely that aloe vera’s high content of phenolic compounds play a role in this effect.
Other Studies
A study found that oral aloe vera extract effectively reduced pain for patients with cancer pain when compared to a placebo, and a study found that drinking aloe vera juice significantly reduced pain for patients with fibromyalgia, though more research is required to establish whether aloe vera’s pain-relieving potential can be generalized to more general pain conditions.
Aloe vera also has been shown to decrease pain and help the immune system by preventing the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.
A study found that chewing raw aloe vera leaves decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and increased TNF-α in healthy adults.
TNF-α is a cytokine, and the combination of TNF-α and IL-6 is an important inflammatory factor in cardiovascular disease.
The addition of aloe vera to an energy drink containing anisamide and aspirin, called Aloe Provisions, may reduce both symptoms of nausea and vomiting, as well as irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
Side Effects
There are also no known known side effects of aloe vera, however, many of its nutrients are used in some food preparations and dietary supplements. As with many plants, aloe vera contains numerous phytochemicals and antibacterial and antifungal substances.
A 2002 review found aloe vera to be safe for application topically and that aloe vera is more readily tolerated by most individuals than many other herbal medications, except for acute gastrointestinal reactions, which include stomach ulcers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes fever.
At least 35 mg per day of aloe vera is recommended to treat mild to moderate cases of gout.
Here are the list of health benefits of aloe vera
Prevents Cooling And Redness Of Skin
Aloe vera contains steroidal compound called limonene which has anti-inflammatory properties and prevents the cooling and redness of the skin.
Detoxifies The Body
Aloe vera helps in detoxifying the body by eliminating the toxins and waste products. It also clears the skin of toxins and impurities and thereby keeps the skin healthy.
Reduces Toxins
It also contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which help in getting rid of the toxins that cause a plethora of problems to the body.
Treats Dry Skin
Aloe vera contains skin moisturizing properties which help in keeping the skin hydrated and supple. The vitamins and minerals in aloe vera help in curing the dry and dry skin.
Treats Rash
It also has anti-inflammatory properties which help in treating the rashes and other skin inflammations.
Aids In Oily Skin
Oily skin is one of the most common skin problems that people face every day. Aloe vera helps in getting rid of the excess oil and make the skin softer and healthier.
Lowers The Stress
Since aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties, it helps in easing out the stress and stress related problems.
Provides Aromatherapy Benefits
It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which help in providing natural aromatherapy benefits to the skin.
Aids In Weight Loss
Aloe vera is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper and vitamin B6. These minerals help in improving the metabolism and lower the weight.
Helps In Detoxification
Aloe vera has amazing anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties which help in removing the toxins from the body.
Provides A Soothing Feel
The cooling and soothing nature of aloe vera make it beneficial for people suffering from sunburn. The antioxidants in aloe vera provide relief to the painful sunburn.
Helps In Infection Control
It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which help in preventing the infections from taking root in the skin.
Aids In Skin Regeneration
Since the aloe vera helps in regenerating the skin and rejuvenating the skin, it helps in reducing the scars of sunburn.
Provides Sun Protection
Aloe vera has a compound called lutein that acts as an antioxidant and protects the skin against the damage of the UV rays.
Reduces Inflammation And Redness Of Pores
Aloe vera is good for treating the inflammation and redness of the pores. It helps in treating them effectively by keeping them hydrated.
Clear Skin
Aloe vera is good for removing excess dirt, grime, and oil from the skin. It helps in clearing the skin and also keeps the skin supple and smooth.
Improves Oral Health
The chlorophyll present in aloe vera helps in keeping the teeth and gums healthy and helps in keeping the oral health in order.
Treats Cracked Heels
Aloe vera has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help in treating the cracked heels. It helps in keeping the heels moisturized and it reduces the pain and soreness.
Treats Dry Hair
Aloe vera helps in reducing the dryness of the hair. The antioxidants present in aloe vera make it excellent for treating dry and frizzy hair.
Removes Scar Fades
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which help in removing the scars of sunburn. It also helps in reducing the scar scars.
Treats Teeth Discoloration
Aloe vera contains compounds called lutein and zeaxanthin which help in lightening the dark teeth discoloration.
Causes Mending Of Ulcers
It has powerful antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that help in treating the ulcers. It also improves the overall healing process.
Treats Acne
It also contains vitamin C that aids in treating the acne and improves the overall quality of the skin.
Treats Eczema
It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in treating the eczema. It helps in healing the skin and in curing the inflammation.
Detoxifies The Body
Since aloe vera has plenty of minerals and nutrients, it helps in cleansing and detoxifying the body.
Promotes Hair Growth
The moisturizing properties of aloe vera help in stimulating the hair growth.
Improves Skin Tone
It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which help in improving the skin tone and maintaining the overall health of the skin.
Promotes Cleansing
Since it has a lot of potassium content, it is great for cleansing and ridding the skin of the dead skin cells.
Improves Skin Texture
Aloe vera has lot of oils that help in moisturizing the skin and in curing the dry skin.
Treats Psoriasis
Aloe vera has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help in treating the psoriasis.
Fights Fatigue
It has several minerals and vitamins that help in improving the energy levels and promoting the good sleep.
Makes Dark Circles Go Away
It contains lutein, which helps in getting rid of dark circles.
Reduces Cellulite
Aloe vera helps in toning the skin and fighting the flaky skin cells that appear in the deep part of the body.
Helps In Treating Blisters
It contains silica that helps in curing the blisters and scars of the skin.
Is Great For Treating Nails
It helps in keeping the nails smooth and strong.
Curbs Wrinkles
It has antioxidants that prevent wrinkles from appearing on the skin.
Treats Skin Infection
It contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help in treating the eczema and prevents the infection.
Gives Flawless Skin
It also contains a lot of vitamin A, which helps in getting a glowing skin and gives you a flawless skin.
