Aloe Vera, known as “ghritkumari” in India, is a cactus-type green plant with fleshy leaves. It is called ‘Kalabanda’ in Telugu, ‘Katralai’ in Tamil, ‘Kumari’ in Malayalam, ‘Lolisara’ in Kannada and ‘Koraphada’ in Marathi.
Legends say that it was even used by Queen Cleopatra in her beauty products. Ancient Mesopotamians and even soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great are also said to have used it. Aloe is more common in hot, arid regions. The leaves produce two substances- the watery aloe gel, and the sap which is called aloe latex. Aloe extracts are not only good for your skin and hair but also have a host of other health benefits.

Growing Your Own Aloe Vera Plant
Aloe vera is widely grown as an ornamental plant since it requires very little maintenance and does not require much water. It is also a popular indoor plant. It grows best in dry conditions, and the plant cannot survive standing water. To grow an aloe plant, it is best to mix equal parts potting soil, sand and gravel. This will prevent water from standing at the root. The plant also requires adequate sunlight. The plant has short roots and heavy leaves, so it is best to move the plant to a bigger pot after some time.

Aloe Vera Extract
Aloe yields two products: gel and latex. Most hair and skin care products that contain aloe extracts contain gel. However, in some cases, the entire leaf is crushed, which means both the sap and gel are used.

Making Your Own Aloe Gel And Aloe Juice
If you prefer to make your own aloe extract at home, best keep a potted plant. Otherwise, simply buy a couple of leaves from the local nursery.

To make aloe vera gel simply break a fleshy leaf and scoop out the gel with a spoon. You can break the solid chunks and mash it to create a gel consistency. You may also crush the leaves directly and apply the gel to the affected body parts.

You can make aloe juice by taking store-bought aloe gel and mixing it in water or a beverage.
Otherwise, you can simply blend some leaves in a blender. It is very bitter, so it is better to mix it with some milk, fruit juice or honey to make it more palatable.

However, it must be remembered that aloe latex is unsafe for consumption. Buying aloe extracts or products from reputed brands or chemists is safer. It is risky to crush the leaves at home to make edible aloe juice.

10 Proven Benefits of Aloe vera
Aloe vera has a number of benefits. Aloe is a wonderful and effective antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medicinal plant which contains 20 of the 22 amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids the human body requires.

1. Fighting Teeth And Gum Diseases
A study published in the General Dentistry magazine has shown that Aloe Vera in tooth gels is as effective as commercial toothpaste in fighting cavities. The researchers compared the germ-fighting ability of an Aloe vera tooth gel with two popular commercial kinds of toothpaste. They found that the gel was just as good, and in some cases even better than the commercial toothpaste at controlling cavity-causing oral bacteria. Apparently the Aloe latex contains anthraquinones, which are compounds that actively heal and reduce pain via their natural anti-inflammatory effects. However, the researchers have warned that the aloe vera gel used must contain the stabilized gel that exists in the centre of the plant to be effective.

An Alternative To Mouthwash
In a 2014 study published in the Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, researchers found aloe vera extract to be a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes. The plant’s natural ingredients, such as vitamin C, can block plaque. The anthraquinones in aloe can also provide relief if you have bleeding or swollen gums.

Being anti-viral and anti-bacterial, aloe vera is an effective cure for many dental and mouth infections. It is effective in treating gingivitis and reduces plaque accumulation.
Aloe helps reduce herpes and mouth ulcers. It also soothes the area around dentures.
Research shows that aloe is effective in the treatment of itchy rashes in the mouth called “lichen planus”. Using mouthwashes containing aloe help heal these rashes faster.
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2. Has Antioxidant & Antimicrobial Properties
It has been shown in many studies that Aloe Verato is antibiotic, anti-fungal and antimicrobial, even against some of the most virulent infections, such as E. coli, E. faecalis and staphylococcus aureus, the Journal of Conservative Dentistry reports. Researchers at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, published a study in the journal Molecules. The scientists studied whether the methanol extract of leaf skins and flowers of Aloe vera might have any beneficial effects on human health. The scientists focused on the possible antioxidant and antimycoplasmic activities of the skin and flower extract. Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that lack a cell wall; they are unaffected by most common antibiotics. Antimycoplasmic substances destroy these bacteria. The researchers reported that aloe flowers and especially the skin of the aloe leaf contain antioxidant properties. In fact, the leaf skin also showed antimycoplasmic properties.

3. Can Relieve Constipation
Germany’s regulatory agency for herbs – Commission E – approved the use of Aloe vera for the treatment of constipation. Dosages of 50-200 milligrams of Aloe latex are commonly taken in liquid or capsule form once daily for up to 10 days. According to the mayo clinic, while aloe latex acts as a laxative, too much or when taken for too long can also lead to abdominal cramps and diarrhoea.

The US FDA, however, is not convinced and has disallowed aloe products from using claims of relieving constipation citing lack of enough data and evidence. Castor oil is another effective natural treatment for constipation.

4. Heal Wounds From Second-Degree Burns
A team of plastic surgeons compared Aloe vera gel to 1 per cent silver sulphadiazine cream for the treatment of second-degree burn wounds.

The study, published in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association found that aloe vera gel promoted wound healing in second-degree burn patients significantly quicker than SSD cream. The mechanism of the remarkable efficacy of aloe cream in the healing of burn injuries may be explained by its cell proliferation, and anti-inflammatory effects.

It is also effective in the treatment of cuts, wounds and all kinds of skin burns including sunburns. Besides that, aloe vera also helps break down scar tissue faster and reduce scarring.

5. Treats Diabetes
Studies on humans and animals suggest that aloe vera has anti-diabetic and glycemic control compounds. They found that aloe vera juice is able to alleviate hyperglycemia and disturbed lipid profile that is some of the problems associated with diabetes and are major risk factors for cardiovascular complications for diabetic patients. In one particular study 72 diabetic women without drug therapy were administered 1 tsp of Aloe vera gel or placebo for 6 weeks. Blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels were significantly decreased with Aloe vera treatment. In the second study, the effects of Aloe vera gel or placebo in combination with glibenclamide (a commonly prescribed antidiabetic medication) were investigated, again resulting in significant reductions in blood glucose and serum triglyceride concentrations in the Aloe vera group.
However, people with diabetes, who take glucose-lowering medications, should use caution when consuming aloe vera. The aloe juice along with diabetes medications can lower your glucose count to dangerous levels. Working with your health care provider or an ayurvedic practitioner can help avoid such problems.

6. Treat Diabetes-Induced Foot Ulcers
A study carried out at the Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, India, and published in the International Wound Journal investigated the efficacy of a formulation made of carbopol and Aloe‘s ability to treat ulcers.
The researchers reported that a “gel formed with carbopol 974p (1 per cent) and Aloe vera promotes significant wound healing and closure in diabetic rats compared with the commercial product and provides a promising product to be used in diabetes-induced foot ulcers.”

7. Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Skin
You can use aloe vera to keep your skin clear and hydrated. Aloe vera gel can be directly applied to the skin. Aloe is a popular ingredient an all kinds of skincare.

Treats Acne
Aloe gel is a go-to remedy for acne. Most pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for acne treatment contain aloe extracts. Research shows that the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe are effective in the treatment of acne and subsequent healing of wounds.

Research suggests that applying an aloe gel in the morning and evening, improves acne by about 35% in both children and adults. The hydrating aloe vera gel may also reduce the frequency and appearance of acne.

Helps In Psoriasis
Applying aloe extract for 4 weeks seems to reduce the skin plaques in patients suffering from psoriasis. Aloe gel seems to decrease the severity of psoriasis better than the corticosteroid triamcinolone. However, using an aloe gel does not seem to improve all symptoms associated with psoriasis. For instance, aloe does not bring many changes in skin redness in psoriasis.

8. It’s Super Nutritious
Aloe vera is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and an immune booster.
It contains 20 of the 22 amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids that the human body requires. Here’s the list:
Anthraquinones — Aloe vera contains 12 kinds of anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds that function as laxatives. Anthraquinones also work as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
Fatty Acids — Aloe has four kinds of plant steroids: cholesterol, lapel (known for it's analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties) campestral and β-sis sterol.
Enzymes — Aloe vera has 8 enzymes: aliiase, amylase, catalase, carboxypeptidase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, cellulase, peroxidase and bradykinesia (a topical anti-inflammatory agent), .
Vitamins — Vitamins B12, A (beta-carotene), E and C are present in substantial quantities followed by folic acid and choline.
Minerals — Aloe also has a plethora of minerals such as chromium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, sodium and potassium. These play essential roles in the human body’s metabolic pathways.

9. Anti-Ageing Properties Of Aloe Vera
There is scientific evidence that the use of aloe vera on the skin increases collagen production. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibres making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled.
It also makes skin softer, since it has excellent hydrating properties. It acts as a moisturizer for dry skin. Application of aloe tightens pores. Aloes gel acts as an astringent too. Most products for oily or sensitive skin include aloe. Aloe vera is good for maintaining skin balance.

Aloe Vera Side Effects
Though considered a miracle cure, there are many side effects of aloe vera. Under California Proposition 65 guidelines, orally ingested non-decolourized aloe vera leaf extract has been listed among “chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity”.

While a topical application of aloe gel or products has not shown any harmful effects, oral ingestion of aloe can be a cause of concern. Since aloe is a potent laxative, careless dosage may result in diarrhoea. Pregnant women or people with sensitive digestion should not take aloe extracts orally.
Aloe latex has laxative properties. Use of laxatives is linked to dehydration and reduction of potassium levels in the body. Laxatives can also affect the rate of absorption of medicines by the body. Aloe latex can affect kidney and liver functions, according to some studies. Aloe also interacts with sevoflurane, a substance is used in anaesthetics. Patients should avoid taking aloe orally at least two weeks before undergoing surgery.

Aloe Dosage
It is best to consult with a doctor while determining the oral dosage of aloe. Usually, dried aloe latex is used for treating constipation. For adults, the amount prescribed varies from 100mg-200mg per day.

Conclusion
Remember, products which use the whole aloe leaf contain both aloe gel and aloe latex. It is thus extremely important to check product ingredients before using oral aloe supplements or aloe juice. Consult a doctor before taking any aloe products orally.