Aloe Vera has been used by people for thousands of years and is a popular medicinal plant.

Otherwise known as Aloe Barbadensis, Aloe Vera is a short-stemmed and thick plant that stores water in its leaves. Aloe Vera is best known for its health benefits, homeopathic treatment of ailments and injuries, and in skin care (like our amazing body wash.) Read on below for six benefits of Aloe Vera.

Aloe for Burns

Aloe is most commonly used to treat various types of burns, such as from grilling, a stove burn, or sun burn. Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties which is why it has the ability to soothe burns, decrease the temperature of the skin, and reduces swelling. Aloe Vera also increases the skin's moisture, helping the skin to heal faster and decreases the pain of the affected area.

Aloe is Healthy and Beneficial to Eat

Aloe Vera is healthy and beneficial to eat, as it’s jam-packed with minerals and vitamins like Zinc, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Niacin, and Folic Acid. Aloe Vera can be cooked in a stir-fry or eaten raw in a salad, or even used as a drink. It helps with internal ailments like poor immune system, inflammation, high cholesterol, and cramps. There is a significant improvement when it comes to overall health and well-being.

Aloe Can Decrease Acne Inflammation

Acne can be very hard to treat, not to mention that it’s painful. When you apply Aloe Vera to acne-prone skin, the skin’s appearance and overall feeling can greatly improve. To decrease acne, simply add Aloe Vera to your skin routine. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the puffiness and redness caused by acne can be reduced. Aloe Vera's Niacin ingredient improves acne scarring.

Aloe Can Help Reduce Plaque

According to studies, Aloe Vera helps to reduce plaque- which is a common source of tooth decay and gum disease. These are health problems that are faced by a majority of the population, and it can be reduced by using Aloe Vera juice as mouthwash. Aloe Vera kills the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, the plaque producing bacteria, as well as Candida.

Aloe Can Help Lower Blood Sugar

Aloe Vera has been used in some practices to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Before trying any new regimens, talk to a doctor first as Aloe Vera can increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Long-term consumption of Aloe Vera supplements may be damaging to the liver, so check with your doctor first. (There are other ways to lower A1C, as well.)

Aloe Promotes Smooth, Shiny Hair

Aloe Vera's moisturizing properties can prevent hair breakage and promotes smooth, shiny, and healthy hair. Aloe Vera also assists with scalp ailments like pH imbalance, dandruff, and itchiness. You can make your own hair mask by combining juice from half a lemon and the gel from two Aloe Vera leaves. Apply the hair mask to your hair and leave it in for about fifteen minutes then rinsing, leaving your hair smooth, shiny, and healthy.