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Appearance
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Aloe vera isa spiky, succulent and perennial plant. The plant has yellow flowers and fleshy
leaves with serrated edges. Each leaf has three layers:
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A clear gel
used for topical application
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The middle
leaf layer used for laxative effect
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The fibrous
outer part of the leaf has a protective purpose.
History
Aloe vera
plant has been used for medicinal and beauty purposes for thousands of years.
It is believed that Aloe vera was one of secrets of Cleopatra for keeping her
skin soft. In the ancient Greek, aloe vera was used in many therapeutic
remedies.
Aloe vera was
popularized in the United States, in the 18th and 19th primarily as a laxative
and today it is used to keep skin beautiful and to heal burns, sunburn,
ulcerations, frostbite, radiation injuries, psoriasis, cuts, insect stings,
poison ivy and other dermatologic problems.
Herbal
remedies using Aloe Vera
Acne: Use
aloe vera juice on the pimples morning and night for as long as necessary
(perhaps five months or longer).
Athlete's
foot: Apply aloe vera juice twice daily
over the affected areas.
Burns: Cut
fresh Aloe vera leaves and put it on the burnt area for 30 minutes.
Canker
sores: Rinse your mouth with aloe juice. If the sore is too bad, then apply it
on the sore using a cotton ball.
Cellulite:
Apply Aloe Vera gel in the problem areas and massage it gently for 10 minutes.
Corns and
calluses: Make a paste by combining one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with one half
teaspoon of turmeric. Cover the corn or callus with the paste and bandaged
overnight. It should be soaked in warm water every morning,
Psoriasis:
Apply aloe vera gel daily over the affected areas.
Varicose
vein: Give a daily massage (very gently and never too strong) in the affected
area with aloe vera to relieve itching.
Precautions
- Aloe vera gel
is generally safe for skin problems, but it is suggested to apply first in small
area to test for possible allergic reaction.
- Internally, Aloe
vera should not be used by women who are pregnant or lactating, or by children
because it can cause abortion or stimulate menstruation and pass to milk of
breastfeeding mothers.
- People who
have abnormal kidney function or heart disease should avoid any product
containing Aloe vera latex.
- Prolonged
internal use may cause tolerance so that more is required to obtain the
laxative effect.
- Diabetics
should monitor blood glucose levels during when drink aloe vera juice because can
cause changes in blood sugar.
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