Aloe vera is a short-stemmed thick plant that can store water in it. This medicinal plant is associated with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Potential health benefits of Aloe vera plant include treating skin injuries, accelerating wound healing, improving skin barrier function, managing blood sugar levels, and red improving your oral and dental health. Aloe vera and its extracts are commonly used for topical and dietary means. Although, it is commercially used for its potential health benefits, not all of aloe vera;s reported benefits are backed by science. You can find several claimed therapeutic properties of aloe vera in this article. Other potential health benefits of aloe vera are also included in this blog article. Let’s examine some of these claims and potential health benefits of aloe vera to investigate the research behind them!
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a popular plant that grows in hot environments such as in the Caribbean, New Mexico and California.The gel that is extracted from the core of its leaves is rich in several active ingredients, like minerals, amino acids, vitamins and enzymes. These active ingredients make it a special plant for treating many diseases.
In general, aloe vera is considered a good treatment option for healing wounds or treating skin burns or other skin conditions. Moreover, aloe vera juice is also a popular remedy for inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes and heartburn. According to research, aloe vera is also used in food supplements, herbal medicines and cosmetics products. Some researchers support the idea that aloe vera is an effective remedy for these conditions. However, more scientific research and high-quality studies are required to verify such positive impacts of aloe vera on human life. More potential health benefits of Aloe vera are jotted below:
Rich in Antioxidants
Aloe vera juice contains strong antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols. Free radicals in your body cause different types of damage that can lead to severe disease or health conditions but antioxidant compounds help neutralize the effects of free radicals. These free radicals are well-known as oxidative stress.
According to studies, the higher concentration of free radicals which is known as chronic oxidative stress can increase the risk of some serious health conditions, including different types of cancers and heart disease. Studies also claim that antioxidants found in aloe vera are linked with several potential health benefits, but there is no specific research that can ensure the effectiveness of aloe vera antioxidants on human health. Now, the point of discussion is aloe vera juice, no research is found indicating that aloe vera juice can affect the risk of health conditions.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Aloe vera is also thought to be rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, healthcare providers and common people use it to relieve or treat certain skin conditions, like wounds or burns. Research shows that its anti-inflammatory properties are the result of the presence of polyphenols, a group of antioxidant-rich compounds, in this plant.
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Help Treat Skin Conditions
Research claimed that topical aloe vera gel can help sloshing signs of skin. Other studies found that using food supplements of aloe vera named as Aloe sterol can increase the following:
- Collagen content.
- Skin barrier function.
- Skin elasticity.
- Skin moisture.
All the factors play an important role in maintaining your skin health. Anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera proves it as a potential and effective treatment for several skin conditions, like skin burns and atopic dermatitis. However, all the benefits of aloe vera are seen when it is applied topically, rather than drinking as juice. Still, there is limited research on aloe vera supplements for oral use.
In addition, study found that taking aloe vera supplement 30 mg per day for four months can help improve your skin elasticity. The use of aloe vera remedy is effective for both men and women. Consuming aloe vera actually improves collagen production in the skin cells. The higher concentration of collagen in the skin reduces the appearance of wrinkles in the people over age 45.
However, such studies support the consumption of aloe vera in the form of supplements, not juice or gel. Moreover, this research is not conclusive but more science backed evidence are needed.
Rich in Healthful Plant Compounds
Aloe vera gel contains healthful bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Due to the presence of such beneficial compounds, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries use aloe vera on a commercial scale. Its leaves are fleshy green, thick and printed. Slimy tissues found in each leaf store water, making the leaf thick and fleshy. This water-filled tissue actually contains gel, which is considered the best aloe vera product.
Used in Pre-Diabetes Treatment
People with type 2 diabetic use juice and gel of aloe vera to lower fasting blood sugar levels. Two opposite reviews have forced the researchers to do more research to find out whether aloe vera gel or its juice have any influence on blood sugar levels in the human body. According To one review, aloe vera juice didn’t improve fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, the second one says that aloe vera gel or juice is an effective remedy for those living with pre-diabetes. Another study found that aloe vera extracts can improve both blood fatty acid levels and blood sugar level in the people with ore-diabetes.
All the above mentioned results of different researches and studies sound promising, research is not enough. Randomized but more controlled science backed trials are needed to verify the relationship between aloe vera and blood sugar levels. In addition, aloe vera extracts are not considered safe and standardized treatment options for diabetes.
Improves Hair Health
Aloe vera extracts have been used for thousands of years, for improving hair health. People in ancient times used to apply the aloe vera extracts on hair to make the growth continuous and perfect. More than 500 species of aloe vera were used in those days to treat hair related conditions. The succulent plant is beneficial for hair in several ways, such as:
Strengthens Hair: Active ingredients found in aloe vera along with some minerals can help strengthen your hair. Its reservoirs of vitamin A, B, C, E, different fatty acids and amino aids play a crucial role in making new hair follicles or rapid hair growth.
Treats Greasy Hair: Special enzymes are found in aloe vera extracts that help break down fats. This can help stop your hair from sebum or extra oil.
Treats an Itchy Scalp: People often experience a skin condition, named, Seborrheic dermatitis that causes itchiness in your scalp. It also causes scaly patches, dandruff, dryness and redness in your scalp. According to research, aloe vera can decrease the itchiness, redness and dandruff in your scalp.
Protects from UV Damage: According to a recent research, applying aloe vera extracts on your scalp and hair can protect your hair from ultraviolet radiations, coming from sun. exposure to suich harmful radiations can cause your hair to lose their color and shine and make the appearance rough and broken. UV rays alsi make your hair less elastic.
However, the effects of aloe vera on your hair can be controlled by the combination of chemicals and active ingredients.
Contains Antibacterial Properties
Aloe vera can help heal wounds as it contains antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. Due to the presence of such properties, aloe vera actively inhibits the growth of different types of bacteria.
Accelerates Wound Healing
Aloe vera is used as topical medication around the world. Because rubbing it on the injured area can help heal soon.
According to studies, aloe vera extracts are the effective topical treatment for the first and second- degree burns. Another experimental study revealed that aloe vera also helps reduce healing time of burns and injuries. Its application can also prevent infections and itchiness. The evidence to prove aloe vera effective for healing wounds is limited but research is promising.
Reduces Dental Plaque
Consuming aloe vera helps in preventing oral sub-mucous fibrosis, a chronic condition that causes inflammation and pain in the mouth. An experimental study found that taking 20 ml of aloe vera extracts daily for 90 days was as effective as traditional; treatments like hydrocortisone injections.
According to another study, a mouthwash formed with apple vera can reduce the pain and severity related to oral mucositis. This condition is the side effect of radiation treatments of chemotherapy in patients of neck or head cancers.
Another study on cancer patients revealed that aloe vera mouthwash can help reduce occurrence of pain associated with chemotherapy. An induced stomatitis infection of the moth is also treated with aloe vera. Aloe vera mouthwash is also an effective remedy to get rid of dental swelling, pain, and plaque. Studies also suggest that aloe vera juice provides alternative approaches to the treatments for certain oral and dental conditions.
People experiencing gum disease or tooth decay problems always look for the methods to cope with these common health problems. For those the good news is that reducing the building up of plaque or bacterial biofilms on your teeth is the best way. Studies suggest that 102 children between age 10 to 15 years made to use aloe vera mouthwash for one month. Results showed that aloe vera helped reduce gingivitis, plaque and salivary Streptococcus mutans.
According to a 2018 research, aloe vera mouthwash are natural and strong alternatives to chemically prepared mouthewashes. These are also used to kill an oral yeast called Candida albicans.
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Helps Treat Canker Sores
Dentists often come across the situations where the patients had been suffering from canker sores or mouth ulcers. These sores are usually formed inside the mouth, underneath the lips and usually last for 7 to 10 days.
Studies showed that aloe vera helps treat canker sores and accelerates healing from mouth ulcers. A 2020 review had suggested that several controlled experiments were concluded that aloe vera can heal mouth ulcers more effectively than other interventions. Healing is also done in a shorter time. Another 2023 clinical trial concluded that use of aloe mouthwash reduces severity of RIOM. RIOM is the type of ulceration and inflammation of the mucus membranes in your mouth that results from undergoing radiotherapy.
Reduces Constipation
Aloe Vera is also used as the latex to help ease constipation. The yellowish residue present under the skin of aloe vera leaves is known as latex. The key compound used on the formulation of aloe vera latex is barbloin or aloin which has the most effective laxative effects as well. However, many cases have been reported with the concerns with frequent use of aloe vera latex. That’s why aloe latex is banned in several countries like some other over-the-counter medications.
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
According to some older studies aloe vera is also used as a remedy for diabetes. Aloe Vera extracts can help improve blood sugar management and enhance insulin sensitivity. Studies suggest that mixed evidence is found in the favor of effects of aloe vera for the patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. However, more authentic evidence is needed to verify those suggestions. Therefore, scientists don’t recommend aloe vera extracts to deal with high blood sugar levels.
Risks Associated with Aloe Vera
Although aloe vera is a safe remedy for several health conditions, some side effects are also attached to it. The center of Overall Health Maintenance, suggests that the topical use of aloe vera is safe. They also say that oral use of aloe vera can cause diarrhea or stomach ulcer. This may happen due to its laxative effects. Some studies claimed that most of the liver injuries are associated with use of aloe vera oral form.
Other studies conclude that some risks may be associated with whole leaf extract of aloe vera because the non-decolorized whole leaf extract is not filtered to remove cancer-causing chemicals. Studies show that this non-decolorized whole leaf extract can increase the cancer risk in rats.
Conclusion
A vast range of medial and therapeutic properties are associated with aloe vera. Aloe vera is especially used to treat the swelling, pain and plaque of teeth and gums. Gingivitis and other oral infections are treated with aloe vera extracts. In addition, aloe vera gel or juice are also used to treat or manage certain health conditions, including, type 2 diabetes, constipation, cancer, and canker sores. You can use it in packs available in the market or collect it through the leaves directly. But remember aloevera gel has totally different uses than aloe vera juice. So it’s necessary to talk to your doctor before using any aloe vera product.
