The Aloe vera belongs to the lily family and has been used in various forms in medicine and alternative medicine for some time.
Occurrence and cultivation of aloe vera
Aloe vera can trap and store a lot of moisture in its thick, fleshy leaves and thus does not dry out.
The plant, which is often incorrectly referred to as the cactus plant due to its appearance, comes from Arabia and is now mainly found in tropical areas. It is also cultivated on the West Indies, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, among others.
In western medicine, aloe vera is already a main component of many different products and, due to its valuable ingredients and properties, is used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases and injuries.
Effect & application
The Aloe vera contains many active ingredients that have a positive effect on physical and mental well-being. The most valuable active ingredient in aloe vera is the so-called acemannan. This is only produced by the organism until puberty and then has to be absorbed in order to guarantee a good immune defense. This active ingredient found in aloe vera protects against pathogens such as bacteria or viruses and has a positive effect on cell regeneration.
In addition, the aloe vera relieves itching and coughing, kills germs, contributes to rapid wound healing and is pain reliever. Due to the excellent moisture retention of aloe vera, it can be applied to the skin in the form of gels or creams, as it soothes the skin and, for example, draws the heat that is caused by sunburn from the skin and cools the affected areas.
Aloe vera is also used in products such as ointments, lotions, lip balm sticks, and nutritional supplements. Aloe vera can now also be found in various cosmetics, hair care products, shaving gels and face masks. The application of aloe vera creams and gels has proven its worth especially for the care of dry skin that is prone to reddening. There are also dairy products with aloe vera on the market. However, these have no medicinal effect.
Importance to health
The areas of application of the Aloe vera in medicine are diverse. Aloe vera can be used for minor injuries and skin irritations such as cuts, rashes, insect bites, spider bites, sunburn and sun allergies. Gels and creams that contain aloe vera soothe and cool the skin and promote wound healing and uncomplicated scarring.
Aloe vera ointments are often prescribed after surgery because they can accelerate the healing process. Athletes use aloe vera gels primarily to prevent injuries such as strains, torn muscle fibers, tendinitis or sprains. Existing sports injuries can also be treated with aloe vera preparations. In case of muscle tension and sore muscles, aloe vera helps to relax and regenerate the muscles quickly.
Aloe vera in the form of dietary supplements such as juices, tablets or capsules are used for digestive problems. Aloe vera products are used, for example, as a laxative for acute constipation. Creams that contain the ingredient aloe vera provide the skin with moisture, are anti-inflammatory and make severe itching more bearable. Therefore, these products are recommended for skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis or neurodermatitis. In addition, products containing aloe vera are also used for more complex diseases such as hepatitis and asthma.
