“Don’t forget to buy me an Aloe Vera leaf!”…a very common request from my mum whenever I would tell her I was popping to West Croydon. For as long as I can remember my mum has been using the gel from the inner part of the Aloe Vera leaf to make various homemade products. Well who can blame her? It’s been long known that Aloe Vera has soothing healing and medicinal properties and with the health and well-being industry booming in recent years this succulent plant is becoming the number one go to ingredient.
Despite the more recent interest and hype over this plant, its herbal uses dates back to the beginning of the first century AD and is one of the oldest mentioned plants on record! Ancient Chinese and Egyptians used Aloe Vera to treat burns, wounds, and reduce fever. However as more Scientific research has been done on this plant it’s lists of benefits keeps growing:
- Cleanses and supports your digestive system
- Infuses you with energy
- Hydrates your skin
- Soothes and promotes skin renewal
- Supports your immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Provided essential micro nutrients
- Delivers healing and anti-microbial action
The reason for this extensive list of benefits lies in the dynamic combination of ingredients found in the plant. There are over 75 known components which include Saponins which contains antiseptic properties and a number of minerals and vitamins. Aloe Vera is one of the rare plants that are a natural source of B12 which many people find themselves deficient in. B12 is essential in the production of red blood cells and a deficiency can lead to anaemia. Impressively Aloe Vera contains 19 of the 20 necessary amino acids – the building blocks for protein synthesis.
Having suffered with various health problems in the past and speaking with people over the years it has become clear to me that western medicines and treatment is not always the answer and unfortunately they are not always beneficial. There are plenty of complementary and natural remedies that work in harmony with the body as they provide more synergetic attributes that ensure the body responds effectively.
I have read many Aloe Vera testimonials from people who have suffered from a range of ailments such as Eczema, Acne, burns, skin infections, Asthma, digestive tract problems and Arthritis. I cannot claim that Aloe Vera can “cure” any of these conditions but the nutritional benefits of this plant cannot be ignored. If are yet to join the Aloe Vera craze I urge you to do so now, you’re missing out! I’ll leave it there…I’m off to take my daily shot of pure Aloe Vera gel, my energy levels and skin have been second to none since starting!
“You ask me what were the secret forces which sustained me during my long fasts. Well it was my unshakable faith in God, my simple and frugal life style, and the aloe, whose benefits I discovered upon my arrival in South Africa at the end of the 19th century”. – Mahatma Ghandi
To find out more about the benefits of Aloe Vera and to find out more about the products I use, feel free to make contact.
