Aloe vera: properties, benefits and contraindications of the healing plant
Aloe vera is a plant rich in properties and benefits for the body, now very widespread. Available for medicinal or aesthetic purposes, thanks to its healing properties, it is present on the market both in gel and as a juice to drink for weight loss, as well as being the main ingredient of creams, capsules or sprays, to be used especially for the treatment of hair and skin. This species of aloe, despite its healing abilities, also has some contraindications. Here is everything there is to know about aloe vera.
© iStockProperties and benefits of aloe vera
Aloe vera is rich in healing properties useful for the body. It is easy to grow even at home, and can also be used in its pure form, without necessarily resorting to cosmetics and herbal products based on this plant. Usually in its gel - or cream - form it is used for external use, while the juice or capsules are for internal use. In fact, aloe can also be drunk, as well as being applied to the skin or parts of the body to be treated, and is perfect for slimming thanks to its detox power. Here are the extraordinary benefits that this medicinal and aesthetic plant can bring to your body:
- anti-inflammatory: aloe vera is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which soothes external or internal inflammations. The gel soothes inflammation due to sunburn or mosquito bites, for example, while colitis or gastritis can also be fought for internal use. vera is also excellent for treating irritation of the gums, or small skin lesions
- antibacterial and antiviral: aloe vera stimulates the immune system, effectively carrying out an action against bacteria and viruses. In fact, aloe vera gel, or other substitutes, are recommended to treat warts or candida in a natural way
- antioxidant: aloe vera is rich in elements that fight cellular aging caused by free radicals. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, this plant is the ideal ingredient for treatments that fight aging, especially face and body creams, hair treatments and cleansing cosmetic products.
- detoxifying: aloe vera is excellent for both internal and external detox, always thanks to its help for cell renewal
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Aloe vera, especially in gel or cream, can be used as a natural remedy and cosmetic product in many different ways, also thanks to the properties listed above. Here are the main cosmetic uses:
- dandruff treatment: passing the aloe vera gel on the scalp before shampooing, with damp hair, reduces the risk of dandruff formation
- face mask: as a soothing for irritated skin, aloe vera (gel) can be an excellent ingredient for a face mask. You can also try it just as a moisturizer, even if you have no particular problems
- face or body cream: thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, aloe vera is also an excellent ingredient for creams designed for both face and body
- shower scrub: the aloe vera added to the scrub, always in gel form, helps to keep the skin healthy and hydrated, and to avoid any irritation after the scrub
- post depilatory cream: aloe vera, thanks to its properties, is also an excellent base for homemade creams to be used after hair removal
Many of these uses, thanks to the properties in common, are also possible with tea tree oil, an equally multipurpose essential oil, to be used as an alternative to aloe vera.
Aloe vera to eliminate bags under the eyes
In this video, you can discover the use of aloe vera to reduce bags under the eyes. The anti-inflammatory and soothing power of this plant is combined with the equally calming power of chamomile. Find out how to do it following the example of our expert!
Aloe vera, a cure-all for the hair
As we said, aloe vera is a real cure-all for the hair: it promotes hair growth, restructures it, acting as an effective natural conditioner, and reduces the formation of dandruff.
Aloe vera has a keratolytic action capable of eliminating the sebum produced in the scalp, responsible for the obstruction of the follicle, which would prevent the hair from absorbing the nutrients necessary for its proper growth. aloe vera acts as
Thanks to its strong inflammatory power, aloe vera can be used as a soothing agent on the scalp irritated by dyes or burns. Moreover, thanks to its antifungal properties it helps to reduce dandruff: one of the main causes of dandruff is in fact a fungus that it feeds on the sebum produced by the scalp. Also in this case, the anti-inflammatory power of aloe acts as a protection, eliminating excess sebum, which as we have seen causes obstruction, damaging proper growth and a solid structure of the hair .
Aloe vera is also a real blessing for oily hair and prone to falling out. In gel or cream, this type of plant with healing and aesthetic properties can be used as a pack, to combat excess sebum, the main cause of greasy hair. , and strengthen the hair, making it brighter and more cared for.
Aloe vera: recipes for effective hair masks
The aloe vera gel, although very useful and effective, has a rather strong odor, therefore it is good to use it on the hair with the addition of an essential oil for a more pleasant and delicate perfume pack. We recommend the use of drops of lavender-based essential oil - with cleansing and astringent power - but you can still opt for any type of fragrance.
If you have oily hair, the best recipe for a foolproof pack also involves the use of the juice of half a lemon or a little infusion of nettle, both excellent for fighting excess sebum and defeating greasy and greasy hair.
Make a homemade deodorant with aloe vera
Aloe vera is rich in cosmetic uses. In addition to taking care of the beauty of skin and hair, in fact, it is excellent for creating a homemade deodorant. By taking aloe vera gel, and following the instructions of our expert, you can do you too a deodorant based on aloe vera, a little alcohol and sage essential oil.
Contraindications in the use of aloe vera
Aloe vera, if used in excessive doses, can cause cramps or diarrhea. This obviously if the recommended doses on the packaging are not respected, as in the case of essential oil or aloe vera juice, to drink, and therefore for use. indoor. The aloe vera gel does not present particular contraindications, but it is always good to use it moderately. In the case of do-it-yourself remedies, and not purchased in herbal medicine, it is always better to hear the advice of an expert on the doses.