Aloe Vera: Benefits, Gel, Uses and Side Effects

Aloe vera is most commonly used for burns and skin problems. As some of you may already know that aloe vera is like a “small wonder” of possibilities. Let’s explore some of the uses and actions of aloe vera.

• Delays ageing: Aloe gel is widely used in anti-ageing skin creams and lotions. It moisturises your skin and promotes skin regeneration, reducing the first signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines.
• Promotes wound healing: Aloe vera is the best remedy for all kinds of wounds. In a series of studies, it is indicated to be effective in promoting skin repair and healing in cuts, burns, sunburns and radiation burns.
• Relieves stomach problems: Aloe gel and latex are claimed to be useful in improving gastrointestinal conditions like GERD, inflammatory bowel disease and constipation. However, unsupervised consumption may cause diarrhoea.
• Good for oral health: Aloe gel promotes oral health by killing plaque-causing bacteria and preventing gingivitis. Aloe gel application has also been demonstrated to be useful against mouth ulcers while posing no threat to your health.
• Natural antioxidant and antibacterial: Aloe vera, alleviates free radical damage and damage caused by bacterial infection. This is helpful in keeping you healthy and promoting organ function along with delaying ageing process.
• Reduces blood sugar levels: Aloe gel is extensively studied for being a hypoglycemic agent (reduces blood sugar) and most studies confirm its efficiency in diabetes. Final-phase studies are currently going on to determine dosage and safety for therapeutic use.
• Provides longer and shinier hair: Aloe vera hydrates and nourishes your scalp. It helps condition your hair and balances scalp pH. Together all of these properties promote hair growth and slow down hair greying. 
• Lowers cholesterol: Research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology suggests that aloe gel reduces cholesterol production in liver by 30%. This reduces the risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis.
• Reduces cancer risk: Aloe vera is rich in antioxidants like vitamins and zinc, which are suggested to slow down the growth of cancerous cells. It also prevents tumour formation. Though studies are still underway to understand the anti-cancer activity of this herb.

Aloe vera has a wide range of uses but most importantly it is used for its skin and gut benefits.

There are two major things that are obtained from aloe vera:

• Gel: A clear and odorless substance which is obtained from the inner part of the leaf.
• Latex or juice: A yellow substance obtained from the outer part of the leaf.

The latex is used as a laxative(to ease bowel movement), so a regular consumption is not suggested, but the gel can be consumed more frequently and it is this part of the leaf that has most of the skin and health benefits.

The gel can be obtained directly from the plant by making an incision in the leaf. However,  it is not advisable to consume the raw latex or complete leaf of the plant as it might be potentially harmful to the body.

Aloe vera gel and juice are also available in pasteurized forms in the market (If you are looking for a pasteurized gel in the market, it is advisable to check the label for the word “flash pasteurized” as this kind of pasteurization sterilizes the gel without affecting its medicinal benefits)

Apart from its direct use as gel and juice, it has found its way into the beverage and cosmetic industry too. The commercial industry uses it in the form of milk, tea, creams, confectionary, powder (used to make ice creams, yoghurt, and lassi), face wash, lotions and other skin products. Soft gel capsules of aloe vera are also readily available in the market for consumption and skin uses.

Did you know that aloe vera is a very good air purifier? According to a study by NASA, it’s one of the plants which help in keeping the air clean and providing more oxygen in its vicinity.

Growing aloe vera plant at home

Aloe vera is a hardy plant (can survive harsh climate) and grows both indoors and outdoors (indoor plants growing slower than the outdoor plants) without much care as long as it is provided with proper drainage. It can grow in tropical and subtropical areas between the temperature range of 12-27 degree centigrades.

If you are living in a colder area, its best to keep it under the sun during the day and bring it indoors in the evening.

Aloe vera can be grown by leaf cuttings or by offshoots (small plants which grow themselves from the parent plant). However, gardeners suggest that it's better to grow it from the offshoots as leaf cuttings are a bit tricky to use and grow.

Planting:

• Clear a small amount of soil from the base of the offshoot to check where the roots are.
• With a clean knife, separate the tiny plant from the main plant, making sure that it contains roots.
• Pot this new plant into a new pot with well-drained soil.

Drainage is essential for aloe plant, and even though it's easy to grow and maintain, lack of proper drainage could kill the plant.

How to make aloe vera gel at home?

The best part is, aloe gel can be easily made at home without much trouble. To obtain your own aloe gel, cut a leaf from the aloe plant and put them in a bowl with the cut end at the bottom. The leaf would start seeping its yellow liquid. Wash the leaf after it stops draining. Make a cut in the leaf with a knife and peel off the outer skin. Once this layer is peeled you will be left with a clear, transparent gel. You can either use it right away or preserve it in the freezer for future use. The gel lasts up to a week in the freezer.

Aloe gel can be applied topically without much side effects (apart from people who are naturally allergic to the plant). Dosage and amount of skin creams, lotions, beverages etc would depend on the amount of aloe vera present in the product.

Ideally, one ounce or two tablespoons of aloe juice daily on an empty stomach is considered safe. But several factors like age, gender and symptoms may have an effect on the dosage. So, before adding aloe vera to your diet or skincare routine, it's advisable to refer to a registered ayurvedic practitioner.

• Regular consumption of aloe latex is known to cause gastrointestinal problems.
• Some people are extra sensitive to aloe vera so its best to check with your doctor before consuming aloe vera in any form.
• Aloe gel should not be given orally to children below 12 years of age as it may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea.
• It is not considered safe for pregnant women because there have been few reported incidences of miscarriages and birth defects.
• Applying aloe vera right before going out in the sun might cause sunburns.
• If you are already on some prescribed medicines, refer to a registered medical practitioner before adding aloe vera in your diet as it can interfere with the effects of the medicine.

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