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Aloe Vera
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Aloe vera contains over 70 necessary ingredients and more than 200 biologically active elements including minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, vitamins, biological stimulators, amino acids, and proteins. These work on the body in a number of ways to bring about surprising benefits. Read on to learn more.
General Uses of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is used for sunburns, eczema, burns, insect bites, wounds, and for treating fungal infections. Its antifungal properties means that it is good for treating acne, athlete’s foot, mouth sores, and tonsillitis. It also aids in the stimulation of cell regeneration. Used in a medical sense, aloe vera is helpful for treating bronchial congestion. The juice that is gotten from the whole leaf is helpful for healing a number of digestive disorders.
Aloe Vera and Sunburn
Aloe vera is most well known for its soothing effects on sunburn. Aloe vera gel is antibacterial and helps to heal the burns as it contains aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Pure aloe vera gel can be obtained from health food stores, and there are various products that you can use in the event of a sunburn, such as creams, liquids, ointments, and lotions that all contain aloe vera. Aloe vera has a moisturising effect.
If you have gotten burnt, bathe as soon as possible and apply the aloe vera product you have chosen to the selected area. This will help to relieve the pain and inflammation.
Aloe Vera and the Skin
On the skin, aloe vera has a number of benefits. These include:
• helping dry, cracked skin
• for frostbite, burns, insect bites, blisters, and allergic reactions
• contains high numbers of healing agents
• helps create smooth, glowing skin
• aloe vera oil is very helpful for dry skin
• has excellent moisturising properties as it gives oxygen to the cells, in turn increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue
• helps to remove dead skin cells
• transports healthy substances through the skin
• helps to prevent ageing of the skin
• improves the appearance of skin lesions
• lightens dark spots on the face and reduces the intensity of skin pigmentation
Aloe Vera and its Internal Effects on the Body
Aloe vera juice is used to maintain and restore the balance of stomach acids. Its regenerative properties build the tissues of the small and large intestine, colon, and stomach tissue. Research has shown that aloe vera stimulates the fibroblasts to make new tissue. The polysaccharides in aloe vera are used to improve the properties of the immune cells and it is very effective for removing waste from the body. Aloe vera enhances the absorption of nutrients and aids digestive functioning, and it is very useful for treating digestive conditions such as acid indigestion, candida, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Aloe vera extracts can be used for lowering blood sugar levels and aloe vera can be helpful for reducing cholesterol and blood fat levels.
Aloe Vera Side Effects
Generally speaking, aloe vera is safe to use but there may be some side effects. Long term usage of aloe vera can result in a fluid imbalance in the body, a potassium deficiency, hematuria, and albuminuria. These are rare side effects, however. Aloe vera should not be taken or used in the following circumstances:
• by children
• by pregnant women or those attempting to become pregnant
• if you are feeling abdominal pain
• if you are menstruating
• if you are breastfeeding
• if you have inflamed intestinal disease or appendicitis
• if you are taking licorice, diuretics, or corticosteroids
• if you have to take medication that contains cardiac glycosides
• if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• if you are taking anti-arrhythmic medication
• if you are having surgery such as a laparotomy
When taken internally, the juice of aloe vera may turn the urine pink or red. Too much can result in dehydration, stomach cramps, or intestinal spasms so it is important that you follow the recommended dosage on the product.
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