Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years. It is best known for treating skin injuries, but also has several other beneficial effects on health
Here are 8 health benefits of Aloe vera that are supported by science.
#1. Aloe Vera Contains Bioactive Compounds That Improve Health: Aloe vera is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It is widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries, and has an estimated annual market value of $13 billion globally. Aloe vera is well recognized by its thick, pointed and fleshy green leaves, which can grow to about 12-19 inches (30-50 cm) in length. This is what the Aloe vera plant looks like: Each leaf is full of a slimy tissue that stores water, which makes the leaves thick. This slimy, water-filled tissue is the “gel” we associate with Aloe vera products. The gel contains most of the bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
Bottom Line: Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that is used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. Its leaves are full of a gel-like substance that contains numerous beneficial compounds.
#2. Aloe Vera Has Potent Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties: Antioxidants are important for health. Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants, which belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols. These polyphenols, along with several other compounds in Aloe vera, can help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans
Bottom Line: Aloe vera contains various powerful antioxidant compounds. Some of these compounds can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
#3. Aloe Vera Juice acts as immune booster and provides energy: Aloe Vera juice contains nutritional properties that boosted the immune system and inner cells in our body system. Additionally ,it provides natural source of energy for the body .
#4. Pure Aloe Vera Juice Reduces Dental Plaque as Effectively as Mouthwash thus prevents Halitosis Tooth decay and diseases of the gum are very common health problems. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to reduce the buildup of plaque (bacterial biofilms) on the teeth. In a mouth rinse study of 300 healthy people, 100% pure Aloe vera juice was compared to the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine. After 4 days of use, the Aloe vera mouth rinse was found to be just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque. Another study found similar benefits of Aloe vera mouth rinse when used over a 15- to 30-day period. Aloe vera does this by killing the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the mouth, as well as the yeast Candida albicans
Bottom Line: When used as a mouth rinse, pure Aloe vera juice is just as effective at reducing dental plaque buildup as regular mouthwash.
#5. Aloe Vera Can be Used to Treat Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores): Many people have experienced mouth ulcers, or canker sores, at some point in their lives. They usually form underneath the lip, inside the mouth, and last for about 7-10 days. Studies have convincingly shown that Aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers. In a 7-day study of 180 people with recurrent mouth ulcers, an Aloe vera patch applied to the area was effective in reducing the size of the ulcers. However, it did not outperform the conventional ulcer treatment, which is corticosteroids. In another study, Aloe vera gel not only accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduced the pain associated with them
Bottom Line: Application of Aloe vera, either as a patch or gel, has been shown to aid in the recovery of mouth ulcers (canker sores).
#6. Aloe Vera Can Help treat Constipation
Bottom Line: Aloe vera latex has strong laxative effects, making it useful to treat constipation. It does also appear to be beneficial forother diseases of the digestive tract.
#7. Aloe Vera Improves Skin Elasticity and Help Prevent Wrinkles: There is some preliminary evidence that topical Aloe vera gel can slow aging of the skin. In one study of 30 women over the age of 45, topical application of the gel was shown to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity over a 90-day period. Another study found that Aloe vera reduced erythema (redness of the skin), but was also found to dehydrate skin cells. There is very little evidence that Aloe vera can treat skin conditions like psoriasis and radiation dermatitis
Bottom Line: Early evidence suggests that Aloe vera may have anti-aging effects on the skin
#8. Aloe Vera Lower Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetic:. Aloe vera has sometimes been used as a traditional diabetes remedy.It is said to enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.Several animal and human studies in type 2 diabetics have actually found promising results from consuming Aloe vera juice
