There are a handful of natural ingredients that are frequently featured in many of my recipes for homemade health and beauty products. I’ve written posts about the benefits of several of these superstar ingredients, including witch hazel, coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide, and more. But there’s one particular ingredient that I haven’t yet given the credit it is due—at least, until today that is! Because today’s post is all about the benefits of aloe vera.
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This spiny succulent is so much more than just a decorative houseplant, and today you’ll find out just how beneficial this plant can really be! At the end of this post, you’ll find some useful links to some of my favorite homemade products and remedies that include aloe vera. Give them a try, so you can experience some of the amazing benefits of aloe vera for yourself! :-)
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a spiny-leafed succulent plant that typically grows in dry, tropical climates. While it is usually referred to by its scientific name aloe vera, it occasionally goes by more exotic names like “lily of the desert” and “elephant’s gall.”
Humans have been utilizing aloe vera for a variety of purposes for the last 4000 years, at least! One of the earliest recorded mentions of the plant comes from a Sumerian clay tablet dated back to 2100 B.C. Today, aloe vera is most notably known as a topical treatment for burns, but it is still used in a variety of different ways.
What Are The Benefits Of Aloe Vera?
Depending on how you use it, there are a variety of benefits you can get from aloe vera. We’ll start with benefits that come from using aloe vera externally via topical applications. Next, we’ll cover the potential benefits of using aloe vera internally by drinking it!
External Benefits Of Aloe Vera
You’re probably already familiar with aloe vera gel, which is the most popular aloe vera product. Commercial aloe vera gel is a filtered and processed version of the gooey stuff contained in the center of the plant’s spiny leaves.
Bottled aloe vera gels are very convenient for external applications, but you can also just cut open a leaf from an aloe vera plant and use that! It’s why many people choose to grow aloe as a houseplant. It’s just as useful as it is nice to look at!
Here are some of the benefits to using aloe vera externally:
- Treat minor burns, cuts and scrapes, and sunburns
- Soothe and heal skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and cold sores
- Reduce signs of skin inflammation like puffy eyes and redness
- Treat scalp conditions like dryness and dandruff
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Internal Benefits Of Aloe Vera
In addition to aloe vera gel, many stores also offer aloe vera juice products. The process eliminates the solid and fibrous bits to produce a digestible liquid. Aloe vera juice contains plenty of beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as folic acid, iron, calcium, potassium, and more.
Bottled aloe vera juice is available for purchase in many stores. If you’re looking for juice that’s suitable to drink, make sure it is labeled as 100% pure aloe vera juice that is meant for consumption. You can also find aloe vera in a convenient capsule form, in case you’d prefer not to drink it.
Here are some of the benefits you can get from taking aloe vera internally:
- Balance stomach acid
- Curb indigestion and heartburn
- Boost the immune system
- Reduce inflammation
- Support joint health
5 Ways To Use Aloe Vera
Now that you know a little bit more about the benefits of aloe vera, you’re ready to get started using it! Here are some of my favorite uses for aloe vera that I’ve posted about over the past few years. Check out these links for recipes, instructions, and tons more useful information about aloe vera!
- Soothing And Healing Sunburn Relief Spray
- My All-Natural “Miracle” Eye Serum
- Homemade Bum Spray (An Alternative To Flushable Wipes)
- Easy Homemade Hand Sanitizer
- Homemade Spray-On Deodorant
What is your favorite use for aloe vera?
why do my elvira plants get brown tips on the end
Most likely, brown tips mean that the plant is a little dry. Set the plant in a sink or tub, and water until water runs freely out the drainage holes. The plant might need more humidity, in which case you should spray the plant with a mister every couple days.
The last possible issue might be a buildup of salts – either from too much fertilizer or from softened water. Be careful not to overfertilize, and buy distilled water for your plants if you have softened water at home. :-)
I love aloe and use it a lot. One great use is I put it on my hair (the top of my head) to tame “flyaways.” I also put aloe from my own plants into a weight-loss smoothie I discovered. Aloe is also a forgiving houseplant and long-living. I have a bunch of these plants.
Living in Arizona I’ve got a whole plot of aloe vera. When I thin it out I fill a whole wheel barrel that unfortunately just gets thrown out. Wish I could give it to someone v
Unfortunately, I am allergic to aloe. Also unfortunately, there are many products these days that include it.
I cut off an occasional leaf or one that is broken by accident and air seal it then put it in the freezer for when needed.
Great idea!
Aloe leaves contain a yellowish sap, called aloin, which can be very bitter and cause stomach upset in some individuals. After you harvest an aloe vera plant, hold the cut end down so the aloin can run out. This will keep the gel from tasting so bitter. Wash the leaf then lay it flat on the table and cut off the serrated edges. Start on one side and filet off the skin, much like you take the skin off a fish. Continue removing the skin on all sides, including the yellowish layer, until a clear to white, translucent flesh is… Read more »
Thank you! This is good information to have.
I’d heard that too. WE had an aloe plant years ago and my mom would cut I think it a certain way. This is great information. I’ve talked to people in the store I work at – who say drinking the aloe juice has benefits.
They actually sell the juice in bottles for drinking. People I’ve talked to who use it for stomach problems said they mix it with regular juice.
I’m almost positive you have to be careful about the way you cut into the aloe vera. Could you maybe comment on that? Unfortunately I can’t remember the specifics but it was pretty important.
There is a layer of yellow stuff that’s found right beneath the aloe leaf’s surface, called aloe latex. This latex contains a natural chemical called aloin. People who are allergic to latex may also have a problem with aloe latex. So, if cutting a aloe leaf, try to avoid the latex layer.
Also, anyone with pets should also be careful as aloe is listed as toxic to both dogs and cats and its the latex that causes the biggest problem