ALOE VERA GEL

 

ALOE VERA GEL

Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It may be useful for reducing dental plaque, accelerating wound healing, preventing wrinkles, and managing blood sugar, among other benefits.

Aloe vera gel is widely known to relieve sunburn and help heal wounds. But did you know that your favorite potted plant can be used for much more than sunburn relief and household décor?

The succulent has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. The plant is native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands. Today, aloe vera is grown in tropical climates worldwide. From relieving heartburn to potentially slowing the spread of breast cancer, researchers are just beginning to unlock the benefits of this universal plant and its many byproducts.

How to use 

Share on Pinterest

People can apply raw aloe vera gel from the plant to the skin and hair.

When people use aloe vera topically on the skin or as a mouthwash, experts generally consider it to be safeTrusted Source. Many products contain aloe vera as an active ingredient, but people can also use aloe vera directly from the plant.

A person can cut a leaf from an aloe vera plant and use the gel inside. Preprepared aloe vera gel is also available for purchase in many pharmacies and health shops.

A person should use a small amount of aloe vera when they first try it and then build the quantity up to suit their needs.

Skin

People can apply aloe vera directly to the skin. They can also use online recipes to create a lotion or cream that uses aloe vera as the main ingredient.

If a person is unsure whether their skin will react adversely to aloe vera, they can apply a small amount on the inner arm and wait 24 hours to see if there is a reaction.

The gel-like substance contains chemicals that can soothe and cool the skin, which makes it effective in treating sunburns and some of the symptoms of other skin conditions.

Face

Using aloe vera on the face is the same as using it on the rest of the body. However, because the skin on the face is more sensitive, using smaller amounts of aloe vera is advisable.

Hair

Some people use aloe vera to moisturize the hair and scalp. A person can use raw aloe vera gel and rub it into the hair and scalp or use hair products with aloe vera as an ingredient.

Learn more about using aloe vera for hair here.

Oral health

Some types of mouthwash and toothpaste contain aloe vera as an ingredient. However, a person should avoid taking raw aloe vera orally.

Safety

According to the NIHTrusted Source, the safest way to use raw aloe vera is topically. Ingesting aloe vera for digestive issues may cause:

• cramps
• diarrhea
• less effective absorption of medications

People living with diabetes should talk to their doctor before taking aloe vera orally because it may cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar levels.

Uses of aloe vera 

Some potential uses of aloe vera include:

Treating canker sores

In a 2012 studyTrusted Source, researchers found that when people applied aloe vera to canker sores, it sped the healing of the ulcers and reduced pain.

Another studyTrusted Source from 2012 backed up this finding. However, this study noted that aloe vera did not work as effectively as corticosteroids, which are the standard treatment for canker sores. Still, most of the participants reported being satisfied with the results of either treatment.

Learn about other treatments and remedies for canker sores here.

Healing wounds

Aloe vera may help with healing minor wounds and burns. A recent review of studiesTrusted Source showed some promising results for aloe vera’s use in healing wounds on the skin. The review included studies that found that aloe vera can help with preventing or treating conditions such as:

• skin ulcers
• postoperative wounds
• genital herpes
• chronic wounds
• burn wounds
• cracked nipples
• psoriasis

The researchers advise that people only use aloe vera alongside prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat these conditions.

Reducing plaque in the mouth

In a 2014 studyTrusted Source, researchers found that an aloe vera mouthwash was as effective in treating plaque as contemporary mouthwash options. People used aloe vera as a mouthwash for 30 days and saw a significant reduction in plaque compared with the placebo group.

Learn how to remove plaque from teeth.

Helping with anal fissures

Anal fissures are small cuts or tears in the lining of the anus. They are often the result of a large or hard bowel movement.

A preliminary 2014 studyTrusted Source found that applying aloe vera to anal fissures helped aid healing. Although the study showed positive results, the researchers indicated that further research is necessary to prove the effectiveness of this treatment option.

Treating acne

In a smaller 2013 study, researchers found that applying a combination of aloe vera and tretinoin to the skin helped treat acne. The study showed that aloe vera was effective in treating mild inflammation and reducing acne lesions over 8 weeks.

Learn more about using aloe vera to treat acne here.

Controlling blood sugar

The authors of a 2016 reviewTrusted Source concluded that aloe vera may help improve blood sugar control in people living with type 2 diabetes. However, they noted that the reviewed studies had several limitations and that further studies are necessary to confirm the findings.

Aiding digestive issues

There is limited evidence to suggest that aloe vera may help with conditions such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Research has shown that aloe vera may be effective in treating IBS. The study found that aloe vera improved symptoms of IBS compared with the placebo, but there is a need for additional research to prove the results.

Other researchers have suggestedTrusted Source that aloe vera may help prevent stomach ulcers. The study showed that aloe vera helped stop the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which are responsible for stomach ulcers.

However, a person should use caution when taking aloe vera orally. It is important to limit the intake due to its potential negative effects, includingTrusted Source:

• cytotoxicity (cell toxicity)
• mutagenicity (potential of a chemical to cause a cell mutation)
• carcinogenicity

Scientists need to carry out additional research to help them fully understand the effects of taking aloe vera orally.

Learn more about the benefits of aloe vera here.

Summary

Aloe vera may effectively and safely treat or help soothe a variety of skin conditions and symptoms, including canker sores and acne.

People should use caution if they take aloe vera orally to help with IBS or constipation, as it may have side effects. The possible side effects of ingested aloe vera include diarrhea and interactions with medications.

A person should talk to their doctor before taking aloe vera or using it to treat skin conditions that may require additional medications.