Sept/Oct 2019 9
HEALTH PLANTS
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Top Uses for Aloe Vera
HEALING WOUNDS. Aloe is an excellent product for helping wounds heal
better. It’s a natural antiseptic agent, which helps keep wounds clean and free of
infection; it’s anti-inflammatory, which aids the healing process; it stimulates the
growth and proliferation of new cells to help rebuild injured tissue; and it can even
reduce pain. Aloe is an effective treatment for a variety of skin wounds, ranging from
burns to cesarean section surgical wounds and more.LOWERING CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES. When taken orally, aloe can
do wonders for reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In a 2014 study pub-
lished in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, people took either 100 or 200
milligrams of aloe vera gel powder daily for three months. Both groups experienced
significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, along
with an increase in healthy HDL cholesterol. In a 2015 study published in the Journal
of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, a daily dose of 500 milligrams of aloe vera gel
powder significantly improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels after eight weeks.REDUCING BLOOD PRESSURE. Aloe may benefit heart health by lowering
blood pressure. When people took 100 milligrams of aloe vera gel powder for three
months, they saw drops in blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure decreased from an
average of 140.1 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) to an average of 129.8 mmHg, and
diastolic blood pressure decreased from 88.6 mmHg to 83.6 mmHg.IMPROVING DENTAL HEALTH. One of the surprising applications of aloe is
in dental health. It’s been shown to help conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis,
and more. It may also be effective in helping prevent cavities, due to its anti-
bacterial qualities. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied
Sciences showed aloe to be just as effective as commercial toothpastes in controlling
common bacteria that causes cavities. The study noted that because aloe is non-
abrasive, it’s less harsh on the teeth, which also makes it a good choice for people
with sensitivities.The gel-like insides of
aloe vera leaves can be
used topically and orally
to treat a variety of skin
and health issues.TREATING ULCERATIVE COLITIS.
Because of its anti-inflammatory and
wound-healing properties, aloe also
helps decrease certain compounds
implicated in ulcerative colitis, an
inflammatory bowel disease.A 2004 study published in the medi -
cal journal Alimentary Pharmacology
& Therapeutics found that after
patients with ulcerative colitis took
100 milliliters of aloe vera gel twice
daily for four weeks, 30 percent of
the patients taking aloe experienced
clinical remission of the disease,
compared to only 7 percent of those
on placebo.MANAGING DIABETES. Aloe may
help lower blood sugar, too. According
to a 2014 study published in the Journal
of Food Science and Technology, taking
100 milligrams of aloe vera gel powder
daily reduced fasting blood sugar in
diabetics after three months.RELIEVING SYMPTOMS OF
PSORIASIS. When applied directly to
psoriasis patches, aloe (in the form of a
prescription cream) helps relieve rash,
dryness, and itchiness.