Long before anti-aging creams populated the shelves of beauty shops and modern skin care clinics, my grandma proudly used aloe vera gel on her face. Copying her, I would scoop the jelly-like thing from the plant’s insides and use it myself. Enjoying its slimy texture tickle and cool my skin, I took an instant liking to it.
Through the years, our favorite plant has served as a magical beauty kit to both of us. My grandmother has always looked young for her age. I, on the other hand, use it to quell acne and sunburn.
Interestingly, we have not been alone in our aloe vera journey. Among the many, Queen Cleopatra has been our fellow traveler, though from a different space-time matrix. She and Queen Nefertiti used it as a part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldier’s wounds. Ancient Indians mapped a range of benefits of the plant. Much after them, in the 1930s the plant was discovered as a treatment for X-ray and radium burns.
I have learned a range of benefits of aloe vera from my fellow travelers. However, I have found that the ancient Indians have listed the advantages of aloe vera in the most comprehensive manner in Ayurveda textbooks. Let us explore their learnings:
Benefits of aloe vera for digestion
Aloe vera is a magic potion for digestive problems. It helps in the following ways:
- Strengthens digestion
- Helps to treat constipation, acidity and bloating
- Improves appetite
- Clears toxins from the digestive system
- Improves the functioning of kidneys, liver, gallbladder
Tip: To tap these advantages of aloe vera, have one tablespoon of aloe vera gel or juice every morning on an empty stomach.
Caution: Breastfeeding and pregnant ladies should not consume aloe vera.
A delicious alternative
If you dislike the taste of aloe vera gel or juice, there is a delicious delicacy of aloe vera you can have instead. You can have it whenever you feel constipated, bloated or acidic.
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
Aloe vera 200 gm
Oil 2 tablespoon
Asafoetida – ¼ teaspoon
Turmeric – ½ teaspoon
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Chili powder – 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Lemon juice
Recipe:
- Cut the sides of the aloe vera leaves, wash them and cut them into pieces.
- Heat water in a non-stick pan and add aloe vera.
- After the aloe vera becomes soft, strain the water and wash in cold water.
- Heat oil in the pan.
- Add cumin seeds. Let them crackle.
- Add asafoetida.
- Add the cut pieces of the aloe vera leaves.
- Add chili powder and turmeric.
- Mix well.
- Add lemon juice and serve.
Benefits of aloe vera for skin
The skin absorbs aloe vera up to four times faster than water. It unclogs the pores of the skin and supplies the skin with moisture and nutrients. Its antiseptic property also helps in eliminating all skin infections. It also heals wounds, mild burns and controls the aging process of the skin. It also helps in the removal of tan, treatment of sunburn and stretch marks.
Benefits of aloe vera for women
Aloe vera in cosmetics
Aloe vera-based products can be used in all seasons and by people of all skin types. One way to use aloe vera is to apply the gel directly, another would be to make a pack using aloe vera along with some other special ingredients.
1. Aloe vera for dry skin – Take aloe vera, a pinch of turmeric, a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of milk and a few drops of rose water. Blend this mix till you get a paste. Apply it and leave in for about 20 minutes.
2. Aloe vera scrub – Grab half a cup of fresh aloe vera gel, a cup of sugar and two tablespoons of lemon juice. The sugar will help exfoliate and scrub off dead skin, the aloe vera will deep clean the skin and the lemon will help fade out scars and tan. Mix the three ingredients together and use it to scrub both face and body.
3. Aloe vera for acne – Take aloe vera gel, blended walnuts with a flour-like consistency and honey. Aloe vera’s healing properties coupled with the antioxidants from honey will leave you with smooth and clear skin.
4. Aloe vera for sensitive skin – Grab aloe vera gel, cucumber juice, yogurt, and rose oil and blend them to a paste. Apply and leave for around 20 minutes, then rinse it off.
5. Aloe vera for sunburn – For mild sunburn, apply the paste on affected areas and wash it off after 15 minutes.
Aloe vera juice is very beneficial during menstrual days. It helps in reducing the pain and regulating the flow effectively. It also promotes fertility among women.
Tip: Consume one cup of aloe vera juice daily during menstruation days for relief.
Benefits of aloe vera for hair and scalp
Aloe vera repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair smooth and shiny. It promotes hair growth, prevents itching on the scalp, reduces dandruff and conditions your hair. Aloe vera has a chemical makeup similar to that of keratin and it rejuvenates the hair with its own nutrients, giving it more elasticity and preventing breakage.
Tip for use: Mix equal quantities of aloe vera juice and extra virgin coconut oil. Apply and leave it in for as long as possible for strong, smooth and bouncy hair. Apply once a week or every fortnight.
Aloe vera for diabetes
Aloe vera juice is excellent for diabetic patients. However, to maximize its potential, it is advisable to consume it with the juice of bitter gourd.
Tip for use: Mix 20 ml of aloe vera juice with 40/60 ml of karela (bitter gourd) juice along with a glass of water.
Aloe vera to relieve burning sensation & inflammation
Prepare a paste of aloe vera juice and cumin seeds and apply on the affected areas. Repeat several times a day.
Based on inputs from Dr. Anjali Ashok, Sri Sri Ayurveda doctor
You can also chat with an Ayurveda doctor and understand the benefits of aloe vera based on your prakruti.
Written by Vanditaa Kothari
