The Magic of Aloe Vera
Who doesn’t love Aloe Vera? I sure do, which is why it’s one of my favorite things. I think my first memory of the plant was when I burned a finger helping my mom in the kitchen. I was pretty young, but I remember mom snipping off a piece of Aloe Vera stem from her plant and squeezing the aloe onto my finger. It was like magic! The cool goo instantly soothed the burn.
I personally never kept an Aloe Vera plant. I just kept Aloe Vera gel handy for burns, and especially sunburns. Then we moved to Florida.
We are renovating an older home that came with a yard full of Aloe Vera plants! A few of them are pictured below along with my giant cactus. They both are in the succulent family. I had no idea they could grow so big. The plants will spread pretty quickly and you can break some off and plant it in the dirt or sand. It will quickly start growing.
Aloe Vera Is Not Just for Sunburns
Aloe Vera has come a long way since my first encounter with it as a kid. It immediately relieves a sunburn, but it turns out, that’s just the beginning.
A Health, Beauty, and Medicinal Plant
Aloe Vera has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that work all kinds of magic in our body. As is the case with many plants and herbs, our ancestors were using Aloe Vera as a treatment for many things. Here’s a rundown of some of the magic of Aloe Vera.
- Helps detox the body
- Boosts immunity
- Helps with weight loss
- Makes hair strong and shiny and improves growth
- Helps get rid of dandruff
- Keeps skin hydrated
- Improves skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles
- Highly effective treatment for first and second degree burns
- Can prevent acne
- Reduces plaque and swelling in the gums
- Helps reduce bleeding in the gums
- Reduces blood sugar levels
- Effective treatment for reflux
- Used to treat constipation
- Kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi
- Increases shelf life of fruits and vegetables
- Treats frostbite
Are you as surprised as I was? Companies use it to make so many helpful products. Aloe vera has an annual market value of 13 billion dollars.
Forms of Aloe Vera
Liquid
Aloe Vera comes in many forms. You have probably seen aloe vera juice. This is a pretty popular drink that sometime is labeled aloe water. It’s great for hydration and digestion. Here’s more reasons to drink it.
Gel
Using the gel form of aloe is perfect for putting on a burn. You can buy gel or simply cut off a stem of the plant and squeeze out the gel.
Supplement
For treating acid reflux or GHERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), there are supplements in the form of aloe vera syrup, liquid, or pills. If you are looking for a way to treat reflux without medication, here is an interesting study that was done on this topic.
Mouthwash
If you want a safter alternative to the chemicals in some mouthwash, look for one with Aloe Vera. A great way to fight gingivitis and cavities. It also will help heal sores in your mouth. Pretty amazing!
Organic Farming
The gel of Aloe Vera is also becoming popular as an organic preservative for fruits and vegetables. You can take a deep dive on it here. It’s an edible antioxidant preservative.
My Favorite Aloe Vera Product
All these uses for Aloe Vera are fascinating. But my favorite time to use Aloe Vera is after a day in the sun. Here’s my favorite product for sunburn. You won’t be surprised that Arbonne has an Instantly Soothing Gelee just for sunburns and dry skin.
I use it anytime I come home from a day at the beach, but also anytime my skin is dry and flaking. The Aloe Vera in the gelee works to moisturize, sooth the burn, and heal the skin faster. It also contains Green Algae, a marine-based botanical that replenishes the skin’s natural lipid barrier that moisturizes. The gelee smells amazing too!
I hope you loved learning more about Aloe Vera and find some new ways to use it. And, if you don’t have a plant, go get one!
You are precious in His sight,
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