Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe vera plant is known as medicinal aloe and has been known for its benefits and uses since time immemorial. It belongs to a species of succulent plant that is believed to be originated in the southern part of Arabian Peninsula, Canary Islands, Northern Africa and Cape Verde. Aloe vera plant grows in dry areas and is widely spread across India, Africa and other regions with dry weather conditions. Aloe vera is a plant that provides numerous health benefits and is used as a herbal medicine for many ailments and health conditions. The common names that are associated with aloe vera plant depends on the region that it grows in and also based on their medicinal benefits; some of the names include Indian Aloe, Chinese aloe, first aid plant and burn aloe. Aloe vera is also considered to be an ornamental plant and if you are not aware of the medicinal benefits of this plant and only consider it to be an ornamental one; then you must read through the article to get familiarized with the benefits that this beautiful plant offers.

Aloe Vera Plant Benefits

Due its medicinal properties, aloe extracts are used in various modern commercial products such as hair gels, shampoos, body lotions, moisturizers, face and body creams etc. Given below is the list of aloe vera benefits wherein the juice can either be freshly taken from the plant and used or one of the aloe products can be used to reap the benefits. If you are using fresh extracts; then it needs to be consumed while it is fresh as it cannot be preserved at home or else one can use products such as aloe vera gel and juice that are readily available in the market which although are preserved, are safe and very effective.

• Aloe vera gel heals skin injuries such as burns, cuts, irritations and insect bites. It also moisturizes, softens and rejuvenates the skin. The juice is also beneficial for people with severe skin disorders such as acne and pimples.
• Drinking aloe juice can cure stomach disorders such as constipation, ulcers and stomach sores. Other benefits include curing headaches, cough and other serious ailments such as diabetes and arthritis.
• It has also been found out that the extracts can be used to treat minor vaginal irritations.
• Breathing the vapor of aloe vera boiled in a water was used to be one of the home remedies for curing asthma.
• External application of the gel is effective in treating conditions like psoriasis and genital herpes.
• Aloe vera gel for hair reduces dandruff and controls both oiliness and dryness of hair.
• It helps in removing dreadlocks from hair and the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera helps in reducing itching and scratching of the scalp and helps in curing scalp problems.

These are some of the essential aloe vera uses that provides a natural way of healing various ailments. After knowing these numerous uses, some of you amateur gardeners might want to grow this herbal medicine in your back-garden.

How to Grow Aloe Vera Plant?

Aloe vera plant is the kind that can be grown indoors as well as outdoors and aloe vera care does not involve much efforts. The primary thing to remember if you wish to plant it indoors is that the plant requires sufficient sunlight and for the same reason it is important to place the plant where it receives enough sunlight. As mentioned earlier it grows in dry area and hence requires well drained soil and it also does not require much watering due to the same reason. The plant only needs to be watered when the soil is completely dry. As this plant tends to grow fast and produces many shoots and start spreading and fills up the pot quickly. This is a sign of re-potting the plant. You can use terracotta pots to plant aloe vera as they allow water drainage. Remember, the plant is intolerant to frost and snow and it requires to be taken indoors during winter.

Those were some of the tips for growing aloe vera plant. I hope this article helped you in knowing the various health benefits of aloe vera plant and that you enjoy and experience these benefits yourself by adding this medicinal plant in your herb garden.