Content Overview:How are aloe vera leaves used? This is probably a question you would never have thought to ask before you really needed to use aloe vera leaves.
The great news is that aloe vera leaves have an extremely wide range of uses and can be used in a multitude of ways. That's exactly what you'll read in this article onBiopedia.
One of the biggest advantages to growing the aloe vera plant is its thick gel and sap-filled leaves, which you can harvest and use for a variety of purposes.
Before you decide to purchase and grow the plant, however, make sure you know how to use aloe vera leaves.
Still, even if you decide not to use the aloe vera gel that can be found in the leaves, the plant still looks wonderful and interesting and many people like to grow it for aesthetic reasons.
But we'd be lying if we said it wasn't a waste of valuable materials, because aloe vera gel is truly miraculous and can help you in a number of situations and to solve a number of problems.
If you want to benefit from the miraculous properties of this extremely useful centenarian plant, below you can learn exactly how to use aloe vera leaves and the gel contained in them.
How to use aloe vera leaves - how to extract the gel from the leaves
Most often, when people are asked how to use aloe vera leaves, they are referring not to the leaves of the plant itself, but to the gel and juice contained in them, which have really many uses.
It is relatively easy to extract the juice and gel of the aloe vera plant. You will need a mature plant that is at least a few years old. This provides a higher concentration of the active ingredients.
To collect the gel and sap you need:
- Remove 3-4 leaves at a time, selecting thick leaves from the outer parts of the plant.
- Make sure the leaves are healthy and free of mold or injury.
- Cut them off close to the stem. Most of the beneficial nutrients are found at the base of the leaves.
- Avoid the roots.
- Wash and dry the leaves.
- Trim the prickly ends with a knife.
- Use a knife or your fingers to separate the inner gel from the outside of the leaf. The inner gel is the part of the aloe you will use.
- Allow the yellow juice to drain from the leaves. If you plan to use the juice, you can collect it in a container. If you don't plan to use it, just throw it away.
- Cut the aloe gel into cubes.
If you want a smooth aloe gel, once you separate the gel from the outside of the leaves, you can place it in a blender and then strain the substance to remove the pulp.
Treating burns
Now that we have learned how to harvest the gel and juice of the plant, let us now learn how to use aloe vera leaves. Because of its soothing, moisturizing, and cooling properties, aloe vera gel is often used to treat burns.
The aloe vera group noted earlier wound healing and pain relief. In addition, aloe vera has the advantage of not being an expensive raw material.
Available evidence suggests that aloe gel may be useful for healing burn wounds. If you have a sunburn or other minor burn, apply aloe vera gel several times a day to the area. If you have a severe burn, seek medical attention before treating the area with the gel.
For a healthy stomach
If you're planning on lounging on the beach without sunscreen, you're probably wondering about other variations of how to use aloe vera leaves. Here's another use for the gel and juice.
Consuming aloe vera can benefit your digestive tract and help soothe and treat stomach ailments, including irritable bowel syndrome.
A 2018 review looked at three studies with 151 people. The results of the studies showed that aloe vera significantly improved irritable bowel syndrome symptoms compared to placebo. No adverse and side effects were reported.
In addition, aloe vera may help inhibit the growth of H bacteria. pylori, which are found in the digestive tract and can lead to ulcers. Note that these studies only apply to aloe vera. Other plants in the aloe family may be poisonous and should not be consumed.
How to use aloe vera leaves - oral hygiene
Here's another answer to the question of how to use aloe vera leaves - for healthier teeth and mouth. Toothpaste and mouthwash with aloe vera are natural options for improving oral hygiene and reducing plaque.
Results from a 2017 study found that people who used aloe vera toothpaste showed significant improvements in their oral health. The study included 40 adolescents who were divided into two groups. Each group used either aloe vera toothpaste or a traditional toothpaste containing triclosan twice daily.
After 30 days of study, the aloe toothpaste was found to be more effective than the triclosan toothpaste in lowering levels of fungus, plaque and gingivitis. The people who used the aloe vera toothpaste showed better overall oral health without experiencing any side effects.
How to use aloe vera leaves - fight acne
Using a gel of on your face can help clear acne. You can also purchase products with aloe designed for acne, including cleansers, toners, and creams. These can have the added benefit of containing other active ingredients to help combat this skin problem.
Acne products made with aloe may be less irritating to the skin than traditional acne treatments and products. A small 2014 study found that a cream combining a conventional acne medication with aloe vera gel was significantly more effective than the acne medication alone or a placebo in treating mild to moderate acne.
In this study, improvements were seen in lower levels of inflammation and fewer lesions in the group that used the combination cream over an eight-week period.
Aloe vera plants are relatively easy to care for and handle and have many possible uses for human health.
Aloe is generally safe for most people, but if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medications or using herbs, talk to your doctor before using aloe gel or juice as it can react with other medications and substances.
Comments