8 Ways to Use Aloe Vera

If you’ve ever seen someone clip a piece of an aloe plant, open it and apply the “juice” to a sunburn, you’ve just watched the magic of this desert succulent in action.

In Chinese medicine, aloe is known as Lu Hui, and it’s used routinely both internally and externally, says Michelle Polk, an acupuncturist and herbalist in Chicago. “The main functions of aloe in Chinese medicine are for constipation and hemorrhoids,” she says.

And that’s just the beginning. Here are 8 ways to use aloe vera.

Sunburn

The most popular way to use aloe vera is to treat a sunburn. In fact, aloe is known by some as the “burn plant,” says Michael Swann, MD, a dermatologist in Springfield, Missouri. “The mechanism of action is poorly understood, but it appears that there is more to aloe than just being a good moisturizer, as it can even help you avoid the peeling normally associated with sunburn.”

To use the aloe plant: Break off a piece of aloe plant and apply the sap directly to your skin. “Commercially available aloe oil is also effective, and cooling it in the refrigerator before applying it may feel good on hot burned skin,” Swann adds.

Skin improvements

Not only do studies show that aloe vera helps heal minor wounds eight days faster than standard dressing, but the plant has antibacterial properties, too, Polk says. “It’s useful for treating psoriasis, eczema or just ordinary dry skin,” she says.

Aloe also can help lighten dark spots on your skin, according to a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. If you have bruises, dark stretch marks or scars, smooth on aloe gel to encourage them to fade away.

Oral health

Aloe vera is a safe alternative to mouthwash, and aloe vera in tooth gels has been shown to be as effective as toothpaste in fighting cavities, according to a study published in the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, a journal by the Academy of General Dentistry. “A 2014 study also found that aloe vera extract is a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes,” Polk says. “The plant’s ingredients work to block plaque as well as provide relief if you have bleeding or swelling gums.”

Heartburn

Reach for aloe vera juice for heartburn or GERD as it’s believed the plant prompts the same relief in the stomach as it does on skin, Polk says. It works to reduce inflammation in the esophagus, too.

Tip: Seek out aloe vera juice that has had its laxative properties removed since aloe vera juice on its own can have a laxative effect.

Bug bites

Itchy mosquito bite driving you crazy? Put a dab of aloe vera on it. Aloe’s natural antiseptic qualities will reduce swelling and itching. And if you have some aloe gel in the fridge, that’s a bonus. The coldness will stop the itch in its tracks.

Cleaning the air

Aloe vera is one of the NASA-approved Clean Air House Plants. It’s renowned for its ability to rid the air of certain toxins, including benzene and formaldehyde. “In various studies concerning plants and their ability to create suitable space station habitats, NASA found that there are a variety of different plants you can use to help purify the air and provide cleaner air to breathe for yourself and your family,” Polk says. “Aloe helps specifically clean your air from benzene, which is commonly found in paint and certain chemical cleaners and is known to be a carcinogen.”

Warts

Have an unsightly wart on your hand or foot? Several home remedy websites suggest putting aloe on it, covering it with a band-aid or gauze and repeating the process twice a day for a few weeks. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the size of the wart.

Athlete’s foot

It seems counter-intuitive that a plant meant to provide moisture to skin can help heal a problem caused by too much moisture. But apparently, this magic plant can do just that. Why? Aloe can stimulate skin cell growth, so applying it aloe to athlete’s foot twice a day may speed up the process of growing new skin over the affected area.

Source: mnm.com