Benefits of aloe vera and how to use it

Oh no, aloe vera, not again!! I have been resisting from writing on this aloe vera. But it's such a wonder plant that I too succumbed to temptation! I simply must write about aloe vera, in my own special way. The way I use aloe vera, fresh from my own garden. The photo at the right is one of the aloe vera plants in my garden. So this hub article is about my personal adventure with the "Mother of all herbal plants," the aloe vera.

Don't worry, you won't be reading about the usual "facts and fancies" of this wonder plant. You already knew it. Don't tell me you don't. I Googled search "aloe vera" and it displayed nearly 10 million entries!!! Then I clicked hubpages search box on "aloe vera" and it displayed 100 pages of hubs of the same subject. Each page contains 10 hubs, that totals to 1,000 hubs!! That makes aloe vera the "Mother of all herbs and plants!" even in Hubpages!!

Please read on.

I have ready stock of fresh aloe vera in my garden. I don't have to pay a bomb for the commercial products. I get the freshest and purest aloe vera you can ever find in this world, right here in garden! The purest possible form of aloe vera is the whitish gel under the green skin. It is this gel that we are interested in.

After cutting a stalk from the plant, you need to slice off the green outer skin. Then you have the thick slimy translucent flesh, that is the elixir of life. This is commonly known as the aloe vera gel. You have to be careful slicing off the skin because there will be a thick yellowish liquid just between the skin and the gel. This sticky liquid can cause stomach upset if consumed. In fact it is used as a laxative. So unless you want this laxative for your bowels, you got to ensure that only the whitish transparent gel is used. You must also use the gel immediately as it is subject to oxidation, thereby losing much of its nutrients and healing properties.

I use the aloe vera gel in two ways. External application and oral consumption. For the external application, this is how you do it. First, slice off the thorny edges, leaving the green skin intact so that it is easier to hold on to the stalk. You can take a look at the picture on the right.

To apply, just hold the stalk firmly and brush the slimy edge onto the arms, legs, face, and whatever parts of the body you choose. I just brush the slimy edge onto my arms, legs, and face. Once you brush it onto your skin, the end will lose its sliminess. You would then need to slice the tip off a bit and the new cut will ooze out the slimy gel again. It is also good for the scalp. After applying the gel, I will prepare the remaining gel for oral consumption.

Please read on for the preparation of the aloe vera juice.

The aloe vera gel is quite tasteless, so it is quite palatable even taken as is. Cut the gel into smaller pieces and simply swallow them. For a more delicious drink, put them in the blender, add a bit of water and blend it together with whatever fruits of your choice. Or you can add the little bits of aloe vera to your fruit juice, which I always do. Even a little honey added will go a long way!

With the washing up of the blender/juicer and the rest, the external application would have taken effect and its just timely to wash up by taking a bath or a shower.

Actually I can end my article here, as I said earlier, this write-up is about my "affairs" with aloe vera, and not about aloe vera.

I just feel rather "naked" without giving some introduction and information about this plant. This hub (article) needs "proper clothing" to be presentable. Well, here I go; very briefly.

Aloe vera is perhaps the oldest and most universal herbal plant the world has ever known. This plant spread across cultures and nations. The Chinese call it the "harmonious remedy." The ancient Egyptians, the "herb of immortality" and the Russians revere it as the "elixir of youth."

Aloe vera contains 20 minerals (including calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, and selenium), 12 vitamins (including A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E), niacin, folic acid, 20 amino acids, and over 200 active components including enzymes and polysaccharides. All said, aloe vera contains ingredients that are both therapeutic as well as rejuvenating such that the whole human body is protected against ailments as well as being kept rejuvenated.

Below is a list of benefits from aloe vera:

• Soothes and heals minor skin problems like cuts, burns, and rashes.
• Helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Promotes skin repair, treats acne, eczema and oily skin.
• Promotes healthy teeth and gums.
• Stabilizes body weight and improves energy level.
• Enhances the immune system.
• Maintains healthy skin.
• Provides much needed essential vitamins and minerals.

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