What Are the Benefits of Using Aloe Vera Plants?

The aloe vera plant has been used for medicinal remedies for thousands of years. There are many benefits of using an aloe vera plant that you can obtain by just snipping off a leaf of your plant.

Healing Sap

• Each leaf of the aloe vera plant has a gel like sap inside which has a compound called aloin. It's the 'juice' of the plant, and it's slimy and bitter tasting. It can be collected by squeezing or gently scraping the inner pulp of the leaf.

Skin Healing

• Aloe vera is commonly used for cooling sunburns, minor burns, insect bites, scraps and cuts, dry skin and inflammation. Aloe vera is in many commercial personal care products for its ability to moisturize skin and as an anti-aging element.

Laxative

• When taken orally aloe vera has proven to be a good laxative, according to the Mayo Clinic. The inner green part of the plant called latex is dried for this purpose.

Nutrients

• Aloe vera has several vitamins and minerals. Mixing aloe vera juice with fruit juice or purchasing it as a dietary supplement can be an effective boost to overall health and your immune system.

Caution

• There are many benefits of using an aloe vera plant and most uses are considered safe. Do not take orally if you are pregnant or nursing or a have a heart condition or kidney disease. Drinking too much juice may lead to intestinal cramping.