Aloe Vera Plant (believed to have originated from Sudan) is one of the most revered plant worldwide for it’s healing properties. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, saccharides, amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, lignin, saponins and salicylic acids–all of which our body can recognize and know how to process.
There are many benefits in including aloe vera in your medicine cabinet, refrigerator, or freezer.
Here are some of the benefits of Aloe Vera that I’ve gathered:
- It soothes burns and skin irritations (some claim that it may even help soothe symptoms of psoriasis
- It instantly moisturizes the skin and hair
- It can be a laxative (so if you are new to eating aloe vera, you might want to test a small amount).
- Aids in digestion when consumed in its juice form
- It can be used as a topical on inflammed body parts.
I hesitated buying it because I was lazy, until one Saturday morning while shopping at Whole Foods (at $3.29 for a good sized leaf), I finally added it to my cart. My husband smiled and jokingly said, we now have a lethal weapon in our cart. Yes, it’s got spikes on the sides but they can be carefully and easily removed using a sharp knife.
Here is an article by Wellness Mama on how to deal with fresh aloe vera, she includes how to remove the sides, how to extract it, and how to turn it into aloe vera gel: click here to read it
I am amazed by the instant gratification effect that this plant have. I used it for both my dogs and I.
Purifying Mask For the Face:
- Mix 1 tsp of aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp of raw honey. Leave it on for 30-40 minutes and rinse in the shower or cold water.
The Result: Clear, smooth, glowing, rosy complexion
Leave-on Conditioner For the Hair:
- Apply the gel from the roots to the tips of your hair. Massage some gel on the scalp as well. Leave it on.
The Result: Shiny, hydrated, moisturized hair
Conditioner for the Dogs:
- I lathered the aloe vera gel on their coats and bellies. My Rhodesian Ridgeback’s belly is a little bit on the dry side this time in the winter. My Shiba Inu, just loves to look like a goddess.
The Result: My Ridgeback stopped itching, and both their coats looked amazing!!!
Aloe Vera plant will now be a staple in our home. I hope you give it a try because it’s as good as it’s reputation, and it is very affordable. There’s a lot of recipes for aloe vera concoction that are worth a try once you have a plant in your hand. Here’s the one that I liked: Click here to visit the face mask recipes.
The Vigor Lady 