Aloe vera is one of the most recognized medicinal plants in the world.
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10 properties and benefits of aloe vera
The properties and benefits of aloe vera have been known since ancient times . It is a plant that comes from Socotra Island, located between Somalia and Yemen. The isolation on this piece of land gave rise to a very special plant that has a lot to offer to human health.
Different ancient civilizations already knew aloe vera, which has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat different health problems. The skin is one of the organs in which it has the most applications, but as modern science gathers, the benefits of this plant go far beyond
1. Eliminates toxins from the body
Aloe vera juice is effective in purifying the body . It is possible to prepare juices from this plant, and they can even be found commercially in health food stores and pharmacies. Many of the substances in this plant allow the intestine to eliminate harmful substances from the body more easily.
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2. Fights cell oxidation
Aloe vera contains many phytochemicals with antioxidant properties . These substances combat the action of free radicals, harmful substances with which the body must fight. The cellular oxidation that they produce to a certain degree is inevitable, but a bad lifestyle or bad habits such as smoking increase this problem.
3. It has anti-inflammatory properties
Thanks to antioxidant substances and other phytochemicals, aloe vera is anti-inflammatory . This plant manages to mitigate internal inflammation, which can damage the body’s organs. There are different causes of having internal inflammation, with stress and an unhealthy diet being the most common causes.
3. Reduces muscle inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera are also beneficial for the muscles . Many times these organs can be inflamed for different reasons, but applying a massage with aloe vera can help. Its anti-inflammatory substances help calm the affected area and reduce inflammation.
4. Moisturizes the skin
Aloe vera helps moisturize dry skin . The juice of this plant has moisturizing properties, which makes the water bind to the skin cells. Skin dehydration is one of the main causes of subsequent problems. It is important to take care of the degree of humidity of this organ to avoid them.
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5. Fights skin diseases
Some skin conditions may improve with aloe vera . These are cases such as acne or psoriasis, problems that are associated with different imbalances that this organ suffers. Healthy, hydrated skin with all the necessary nutrients is better able to combat all kinds of conditions that cause damage to epithelial cells.
6. Regenerates the skin
Wounds or burns are some of the injuries that aloe vera helps to heal . Aloe vera contains vitamins, minerals and different phytochemical substances that allow the skin to have everything it needs to regenerate epithelial tissues. Many skin lesions can heal faster with the help of this medicinal plant.
7. Preserves the youth of the skin
Aloe vera is a plant that takes great care of the skin . So much so that it is capable of keeping it young beyond hydrating, regenerating and fighting various diseases. The ability of its natural substances to combat oxidation makes the skin look smoother and brighter, also fighting the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
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8. Promotes digestion
The digestive tract also benefits from the properties of aloe vera . This plant, thanks to the different phytochemicals it contains, is capable of improving digestion and different conditions that affect its normality. In addition to deflating and purifying the digestive tract, this plant regulates intestinal transit and fights the action of pathogenic microorganisms.
9. Alkalizes the body
The degree of acidity of the body has a lot to do with health . Stress or poor diet cause the body to have a more acidic pH, which encourages the development of different diseases such as cancer. A proper diet and a healthy lifestyle allows you to alkalize the blood, and also consume plants such as aloe vera.
10. Strengthens the immune system
Aloe vera is a plant that helps strengthen the body’s defenses . Many of the properties and benefits that have already been explained in the previous points are directly related to this fact. The reason is that this plant contains vitamins, minerals and many substances with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties among others.
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Bibliographic references
- Alonso, J. R. (2005). Treatise on Phytopharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals. Buenos Aires: Editorial Corpus .
- Barcroft, A. and Myskja, A. (2003) Aloe Vera: Nature’s Silent Healer. BAAM, USA
- Berdonces , JL ( 1998 ). Grand encyclopaedia of medicinal plants: the dioscorides of the third millennium. Madrid: Tikal-Susaeta Publishing House .
- Eshun, K. y He, Q. (2004). Aloe vera: a valuable ingredient for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries—a review”. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 44 (2), 91–96.
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