The Many Benefits of Aloe Vera

While most of us know that aloe vera is great for helping to relieve the pain of a sunburn, most people fail to realize that there are so many more medical uses for this popular plant than just that.

What is aloe vera and how is it used?

Aloe vera is a plant that grows all over Africa, but can be grown indoors anywhere around the world. It is actually related to asparagus and the onion and has become well known in the medical community for all of its various benefits.

The most common way that aloe vera is used is in a gel form. This is done by taking the leaves from the plant, removing the moisture from inside, and then making it into a gel. The gel can be used to treat everything from sunburns to minor wounds, scrapes, and cuts. It helps in reducing the pain and preventing infections from taking place. There have even been several medical studies done that have proven it reduces healing time with regular use.

In many countries such as Africa where the aloe vera plants grow in the open, people will simply snap open one of the leaves and simply rub the moisture directly on the affected area, whether it be a cut, burn or other type of wound.

Today, you will find aloe vera in all types of cosmetics and skin lotions. It is also found in many sunscreens, shampoos, and lip balms. In fact, using aloe vera on a cold sore has shown to be quite beneficial in reducing the pain and inflammation, and in many cases, the healing time as well. I have some friends who grow aloe plants in their home and use them just for cold sore relief. The aloe plant contains many different minerals and vitamins that help in making your skin healthier, in addition to moisturizing it.

While the use of aloe vera is primarily external, there is ongoing research into the internal benefits as well. It has shown to work in relieving constipation and is also being used in treating headaches, coughs, and even some cancers. The one major drawback of internal use is that it can cause a good deal of nausea. It is also not adviseable to take aloe internally while pregnant.

There is no doubting that using aloe vera has many great benefits. If you haven't discovered some of them yet, I would encourage you to give this natural medical treatment a try.