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!
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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
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?
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