The spiky succulent plant grows naturally in dry, tropical climates in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the southern and western parts of the United States.
Many centuries ago, people realized the plant had more to offer than just being nice to look at. The gel and juice found inside aloe vera became a popular herbal remedy that was used to help treat everything from skin issues to digestive problems.
Let’s take a look at the history of
aloe vera and its potential benefits.
What Is Aloe Vera, and Where Does the Plant Come From?
Aloe vera has been known for its healing properties for at least 6,000 years. In the early days, the plant was known for being a “plant of immortality” and was presented to Egyptian pharaohs as a funeral gift.
Over time, groups from many geographical areas have used aloe vera, including Indians, Chinese, Mexicans, and North Americans, too.
Humans have long known about the plant's healing benefits, and over the years have used aloe — which is also known as “burn plant,” “lily of the desert,” and “elephant’s gall” — to help treat wounds, hair loss, hemorrhoids, and digestive issues.
These days, aloe has an entire industry behind it. Its juices are used in cosmetics and personal-care products such as moisturizers, soap, shaving cream, and suntan lotion. The aloe vera product that probably comes to mind most easily is the bright green gel that’s stocked on drugstore shelves. You’ve probably used it to soothe a nasty sunburn.
Aloe vera is also available in supplement form, which is said to offer the same possible benefits to the skin and digestive system as other versions of the plant.
What Are the Various Types of Aloe Vera That People Use?
There are two medicinally useful parts of the aloe vera plant. First, the leaves are filled with a clear gel. This gel is extracted from the plant and usually used on the skin to treat burns and various skin conditions. The gel can also be found in liquid or capsule form and taken orally.
The second substance the plant produces is called aloe latex. This is the yellow pulp that’s found just under the outer part of the plant leaf. Aloe latex has been shown to have laxative properties, and it’s usually taken orally to treat
constipation.
The latest in aloe vera trends is the introduction of aloe-based drinks, such as aloe vera juice and aloe vera water. The plant juices are usually mixed with citrusy juice to make aloe vera juice or water to make aloe vera water.
Aloe vera on its own can taste a little bitter, so many brands will add flavor or sweeteners to the bottle. Take a look at the bottle’s ingredients list to make sure it’s not packed with loads of added sugars.
What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Aloe Vera?
There’s not enough evidence to prove that aloe vera can treat all the health issues it’s said to help with. But the plant has been linked to many potential benefits, including:
• Digestive help Aloe latex contains aloin, which is an anthraquinone that gives aloe vera its laxative properties and may help treat constipation.
• Treating skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne Aloe creams have a calming effect on the skin and have been shown to help reduce itchiness and inflammation.
• Sunburn relief Some people swear by aloe to calm a sunburn. You might have experienced the gel’s cooling effect yourself, but the research backing up the claim that it can speed skin recovery is lacking. One small study, for instance, found aloe vera didn’t have any effect on treating a sunburn when compared with a placebo.
• Wound healing Aloe gel may help expedite the healing process of burns or cuts on the skin.
• Lower blood sugar A study found drinking two tablespoons of aloe vera juice every day for two weeks helped lower the blood sugar levels among people with
type 2 diabetes. Triglyceride levels of the study participants also improved — a big deal for those with diabetes, because they're at an increased risk of developing heart disease.
All the Ways You Can Use Aloe Vera
In addition to using aloe vera to tap the potential benefits outlined above, the plant has been shown to have a few other surprising uses, including:
• A way to keep produce fresh One study found aloe vera gel applied on the outside of tomatoes helped delay ripening, aided in maintaining their quality and freshness, and prevented certain bacteria from growing.
• A mouthwash Aloe vera mouthwash has been shown to reduce plaque inside the mouth.
• As a pain reliever Salicylic acid found in aloe vera may act as a painkiller.
A Closer Look at the Possible Beauty Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is also an “it” ingredient in the beauty and cosmetics world. You’ll find it in everything from moisturizers and toners to shampoos and deep conditioners. There’s even an entire line of products called Aloe Vesta, which are designed to protect sensitive skin.
What’s the reason for the hype? The plant is known for keeping skin hydrated and clear. It’s rich in antioxidants such as and vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and it contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, though some critics say more research is needed before we can say that for sure.