Aloe Vera: Medicine Plant

Aloe Vera has a long history; it’s the most popular houseplant. It’s also known as “Miracle Plant” and “Natural Healer”. In Studies, this plant showed that it can help to heal minor wounds faster than the dressings. Aloe Vera plant gives a sap from its leaves soothes skin irritations and burns. Aloe Vera is long, narrow, plump leaves with spikes in the edges, so you need to be a little careful while handling. We can use it as a table plant as well as, when it became big then as a floor plant, in shorts it is a great indoor plant.

Mostly the leaves are green, although some types have pale green and white spots and vegetation. Aloe Vera can produce at least SIX Natural antiseptics, which can kill bacteria, fungus, viruses, and mold. Scientists said that Aloe Vera has the potential to fight from Cancer and AIDS. Aloe Vera is easy to grow, but they are slow. Some Aloe plants Sap is edible, it is used in beverages and teas, but remember some types are poisonous. It is native to Africa, there are many varieties of aloe but the best is Aloe Vera.

It is a very short-stemmed succulent plant. Aloe Vera plant can grow to 80-100 cm tall, spreading offsets and root sprouts and the flower is produced on the spike up to 90 cm tall, with a yellow tubular 2-3 cm long. Aloe Vera is also a great plant to improve your indoor air quality. It is easy to grow and it helps to keep your home free from benzene which is commonly found in paint and certain chemical cleaners.

Check out the complete list of best indoor plants for clean air: 10 Indoor Plants For Clean Air – From Nasa Clean Air Study

There are a few uses of Aloe Vera.

• • Slice Aloe leaves lengthwise and you can use the inner side as a body scrubber, it is a very soothing scrub for your body.

• You can treat yourself from a minor cut and burns, it will be faster than the normal dressings.
• For the major scald or burn, mix the Aloe Vera gel with vitamin-E oil in a jar and apply it gently.
• Aloe Vera also contains the properties of cooling, so you can use it for sunburn.
• If any insects sting you or bite you, then also it can help.
• Want to feel baby soft feet, you can make the foot mask by mixing it with a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of cornmeal, a half cup of body lotion and 4 tbsp. of Aloe Vera gel.
• You can use the gel as an antidote for allergic skin reactions.
• Aloe is a fast absorber, so you can replace your daily cream and lotion for dry skin.
• It can also treat acne and pesky pimples.
• It can also fight with scars and stretch marks.
• Aloe Vera gel can reverse the sign of aging and skin wrinkles.
• Aloe Vera can decrease the pigmentation and black spots.
• Mixing organic sugar scrub with 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar, 1 tbsp. of lemon juice and 2 tbsp. of Aloe Vera gel, can make your skin new.
• For Rough patches, mix 2 cups of sea salt, 1 cup of organic coconut oil 2 tbsp. of honey and 1 cup of Aloe Vera.
• Speed up your hair growth by massaging Aloe into the scalp, and sit for 30 min, and then rinsing.
• Mix Aloe Vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil and massage into the scalp can help you to reduce dandruff.
• Replace it with your hair conditioner for silkier and smoother hairs.
• You can use it as an eye makeup remover.
• Drinking Aloe Vera juice can relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
• Boil the leaves of Aloe in a pan of water and breathe the vapor to alleviate asthma.
• If you are diabetics, then drink to lower the blood sugar levels.
• Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.

Aloe Vera Care:

Aloe Vera likes the bright lights. Heat is fine because they react similarly to the cactus. The average temperature for Aloe Vera is 70°F/21°C – 80°F/26°C but not much below than 50°F/10°C. Aloe Vera is succulents, which are mainly made from the water like the cactus so its soil needs moisture, it should not be dry and it needs less water in winters. Re-Poting is needed when they will grow bigger and it’s not fitting in the pot. Humidity is not a concern for them, a normal indoor environment is sufficient for them to survive.

5 Major points for Aloe Vera Growth:

1. Aloe Vera should always plant in a pot that has a drainage hole and 2 to 3 inch larger diameter than the base. Mixing soil and coarse sand is always a good idea.
2. Aloe Vera plant can always place on a window or near to the window, where it can get a bright light. And always remember to rotate the plant every week so it will get equal light on all sides. Do not expose the plant to the freezing temperature.
3. Water the Aloe Vera when it will completely dry. When you will pour the water always remember it should get wet until the base. You can allow the pot to drain for 20 to 30 minutes and then empty the water tray underneath the plant.
4. Fertilization of Aloe Vera is a little tricky, you should fertilize it in the Mid-spring with a water-soluble fertilizer. And fertilize it according to the size of the pot.
5. Aloe Vera doesn’t require Re-Poting every month or year; they can live in the same pot for 5 to more years. Whenever you do re-pot then always remember that the size of the pot should be 2inch bigger than the older one.

Some Common Problems:

Dry Leafs: If your Aloe Vera Leafs are getting dry that it’s because of the too much direct sunlight. Do not let the plant sit in the direct sunlight for a long time, bright light is sufficient to live.

Leaves wilting: Over-watering can cause the leaves wilting, Aloe Vera doesn’t like the water that much. They need to fill once and let them dry.

Soft Leaves: Over-watering can also make the leaves very soft, mainly in winters. You should always check the drainage hole should open and in winters dot do watering until it will completely dry.

Few Natural House Remedies – Aloe Vera Benefits:

The Skin Saver: As I told you, in studies, it has been proved that Aloe Vera can heal the minor wounds and burns faster than the normal dressings. It’s antibacterial and it contains vitamins and minerals that can ease eczema.  But enterprising beauty experts are not only using it for rashes and cuts, but they are also using it for getting gorgeous skin.

Makeup Remover: Many makeup removers contain a chemical that can dry your skin and it can give damage your skin also. So, many beauty experts are using Aloe Vera gel instead of those products. Take a drop of aloe gel onto a cotton ball and then remove your make with it without affecting your skin.

Shaving Cream: Aloe Vera is perfect for shaving cream; it’s slippery, moisturizer and allowing you to a nice close shave. Erika Katz, author of “Bonding over Beauty”, shared this recipe with us: Mix 1/3 cup Aloe Vera gel, 1/4 cup castile soap or hand soap, 1 tbsp. almond oil, 1/4 cup distilled warm water, 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil, and 5 drops of eucalyptus oil in a foaming bottle or a clean soap pump dispenser. Shake well before you use, and refrigerate up to six months.

Shooting Ice Cube: Fill an ice tray with Aloe Vera gel, and freeze. And use it when you get any sunburns, burns, bugs bites and even psoriasis.

Face Wash: Mix 1 tbsp. Aloe Vera gel with 1 tbsp. almond milk, and 1 tbsp. lemon juice, wash and let sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Every mineral in Aloe Vera is antibiotic, so it will help your skin for a great feel.

Homemade Scrub: If you want to reveal glowing and fresh skin than Aloe Vera is great for a homemade scrub because it helps to soften your skin and supply oxygen to your cells, strengthening the tissue to create vibrant skin.

Bad Breathe: Aloe Vera contains an anti-inflammatory compound called B-Sitosterol that soothes acid indigestion, a common cause of bad breath. When bad breath hits, drink up to 1/4 cup pure Aloe Vera gel dissolved in a 1/2 cup of water or apple juice, suggests herbalist “Letha Hadady, author of Healthy Beauty”.

Night Treatments: Blend pure Aloe Vera juice with three inches of cucumber and half an egg white for a hydrating mask you can wear to bed and get beauty sleep.

Eyebrow Gel: If you love Strong Brow than dip a clean mascara wand in some Aloe Vera gel and sweep over stray brows for serious stay-put power without getting hard or sticky.

Cracked Feet: For cracked feet mix 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 4 tbsp. Aloe Vera gel, and 1/2 cup body lotion and rub all over tired feet until well exfoliated. Leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Hand Sanitizer: Aloe Vera helps to soothe your skin and alcohol helps to fight with germs. So, mix 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel, 1/4 cup alcohol, and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil and pour into a spritz bottle.