Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera, a native of the African continent, belongs to the species Aloe. An Aloe Vera is a short stemless and succulent plant. The leaves of this plant are thick and fleshy. Although it resembles a cactus, it belongs to the lily family. An Aloe Vera plant grows well in warm and dry climates.

Aloe Vera is one of the most popular medicinal plants that can be grown at home. Since it is used as a home remedy for certain ailments, it is known as a "natural healer". There are approximately 400 species of Aloe Vera, but the one that is grown at home is Aloe Barbadensis Miller. Aloe Barbadensis Miller is, otherwise, known as "true Aloe" and has many medicinal properties.

Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been in use for almost 4000 years and the earliest records of the medicinal uses of Aloe Vera were found inscribed upon a Sumerian tablet dating 2100 BC. Aloe Vera has been widely used by the ancient Indians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans and the Egyptians. The mention of benefits of Aloe Vera have been found in many ancient records. Here are a few medicinal uses of Aloe Vera:

One of medicinal uses of Aloe Vera is as a herbal laxative. It has been scientifically found that the inner lining of its leaves have aloin, which is one of the major ingredients used in laxatives. It is available in capsule form.

The juice of Aloe Vera helps in nourishing skin and in diminishing wrinkles. Cleopatra, the queen of Ancient Egypt, used the juice of Aloe Vera as a part of her beauty regimen.

Aloe Vera could be used to reduce the burning sensation of cuts, burns and blisters. Applying the pure gel of Aloe Vera would quell the stinging of herpes eruptions.

Juice or gel of Aloe Vera is used to reduce warts, psoriasis and eczema. Today, dermatologists prescribe skin gels and creams made from Aloe vera.

The fresh juice of Aloe Vera is used to cure and heal rashes, vaginal infections, foot sores and fungal attacks of various types. It is one of the most preferred home remedies for these problems.

Aloe Vera is used in hair loss treatment as well. The enzyme content of Aloe Vera prevents hair loss by protecting the scalp against infections and diseases. Aloe Vera also helps in the reduction of dandruff. You can mix the juice of Aloe Vera with coconut milk and wheat germ oil and massage your scalp before shampooing your hair. If used continuously it helps in hair re-growth.

There are ongoing researches regarding the medicinal uses of Aloe Vera in the treatment and cure of AIDS and cancer. In the cure of cancer, there are many signs that medicines with Aloe Vera content may help in the activation of WBCs and in promoting the growth of non-cancerous cells.

If people with HIV take regular doses of Aloe Vera, it helps in increasing the immunity of the body.

The juice of Aloe Vera mixed with milk is consumed for kidney infections. In Japan, Aloe Vera is a main ingredient in commercial yogurts. In India, Aloe Vera is used to make certain edible dishes.

Aloe Vera was used as medicine by people of the ancient world. The Greeks believed that Alexander the Great conquered the island of Socotra, an island in Indian Ocean, because this island had ample growth of Aloe Vera plants.