Aloe vera and the wide array of health benefits it covers

shivam vaish 07-Jun-2016 Image Source

Aloe vera is a green cactus-looking plant that stands one to two feet tall with prickly and bitter leaves, acting as a defense against animals and insects. The description here may sound quite repulsive but the quote “Don’t judge a book by its cover” perfectly suits this plant as, though repulsive on the outside, it is an immensely beneficial plant from the inside.

The leaves of the plant are covered with a layer of translucent gel, quite bitter in taste, contains 96% of water, a protein which further contains 18-20 amino acids found in the body and Vitamins A, B, C and E. These constituents have granted aloe vera to become a widely used healing medicinal plant, equally advocated by Ayurveda, Chinese herbal medicine and British herbal medicine among many others.

The health benefits of aloe vera are immense, covering many domains as mentioned below.

1. Beneficial for skin

Aloe vera helps clear the skin by removing acne or pimples and revitalizes it, is the most commonly known skin benefit. Although, the slimy texture of aloe vera provides much more than that as the gel it is covered with can help cure wounds, minor cuts, and dry skin and severe burns. The richness of Vitamins C, E and beta carotene provides aloe vera with many nourishing and anti-ageing qualities. It even moisturizes the skin without making it greasy making it one of the best natural face wash chemicals for those with oily skins.

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2. Helps fighting obesity

Not so widely known health benefit of aloe vera, but greatly helpful in doing so whether you know it or not. According to a book by Britt Brandon, â€œAloe vera can improve the effectiveness of your diet and maximize your weight-loss potential. With ample amounts of vitamins and minerals that contribute to weight=loss, as well as amino acids, enzymes and sterols, aloe vera ensures that it improves the body absorption and utilization, improving overall health and weight loss success.â€ Moreover a popular suggestion is to drink aloe vera juice early in the morning on an empty stomach because it improves digestion and cures any kind of stomach trouble which further helps the skin to glow.

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3. Reduces hair fall

Again a scarcely known benefit, the proteolytic enzymes present in aloe vera repairs dead skin cells on the scalp, hence, reducing hair fall. As the skin on head gets reinforced with the help of aloe vera, hairs tend to stay on the skin as the roots get hardened. Apart from that, it also acts as a great conditioner providing your hair with a smooth and shiny touch. This further prevents itching on the scalp preventing a bulk of dandruff to get accommodated on your head providing a beautiful look as well.