Aloe Vera benefits for skin, hair, and health are well known. It is a very popular ingredient which has been used for thousands of years for the purpose of maintaining a healthy life. Now, these days you would find aloe vera in almost every kind of cosmetic products and not only that many nutritionists advise to include aloe vera juice in your daily diet in order to make it super healthy. It is one of the most useful and healthy plants that you would like to have in your garden.
Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant that could provide your body with several benefits. Some of the many benefits that I would like to mention are: maintaining blood sugar levels, reducing digestive issues, improving heart health, aiding in weight loss and many more.
Aloe Vera also has many benefits to provide for your skin and hair including preventing fine lines and wrinkles, treatment of acne and pimple, giving a natural glow to the skin, promotion of hair growth, removing dandruff, moisturizing your hair and many more. Before we start the discussion about aloe vera benefits for skin, hair, and health we should know about aloe vera, aloe vera juice, and aloe vera gel in brief as these things would of great use while using aloe vera.
Also Read: 7 Aloe Vera Face Mask For Glowing Face
Also Read: 5 Aloe Vera Hair Mask For Gorgeous hair
Table of Contents
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant which is one of the most popular species of genus aloe. It grows wildly in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.
What Is Aloe Vera Gel And Aloe Vera Juice?
Aloe Vera Gel is the clear substance that you see when you split the leaf in half. The gel is often used as a topical cream for burns, rashes, or irritations and other skin problems. It can be easily extracted from the plant itself.
While Aloe Vera Juice is found directly under the green skin of the leaf. It is commonly used for dietary purposes to solve digestive issues or for losing weight.
15 Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Skin, Hair, And Health
1. Aloe Vera Aids In Weight Loss
If you are trying hard to lose weight and get a slim and healthy body then you should opt for aloe vera. It would give a proper boost to your weight loss mission. It contains vitamin B12 which helps to boost metabolism as high metabolism rate would make your body burn more calories whenever you perform any activity like eating, working out, walking etc.
How To Use: Try adding a tablespoon of aloe juice in a glass of water to start your day or you may also consume it right before exercising to lose weight rapidly.
2. Aloe Vera Improves Digestion
Aloe Vera contains amylase, cellulase, and lipase which are very important digestive enzymes for our body. Digestive enzymes are very important for our body as they help in breaking sugars and fats and keep your digestive system running smooth. Aloe Vera is also known to be a natural laxative. It would help you with constipation and can lead to better digestion.
How To Use: Try adding a tablespoon of aloe juice in a glass of water and drink it in the morning to kick-start your day.
3. Aloe Vera Promotes Heart Health
Aloe Vera can be very beneficial for your heart health. It can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol” and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly referred to as “good cholesterol”. It also stabilizes the heart rhythm. As per a study conducted on a set of 5000 patients suffering from chest or heart pain for years and it was found that upon taking aloe vera there had been a reduction in the pain symptoms and the levels of cholesterol were also found to be on the lower side (source).Â
Precaution: If you are a patient with heart disease or you are having any heart issue then I would recommend you to consult your doctor before adding aloe vera juice to your diet.
4. Aloe Vera Helps In Detoxification
Detoxification is a very important process for the body. It allows liver function properly and keeps you energetic. Aloe Vera can be very much effective in detoxification of the body. It contains nearly 20 minerals that work together to ensure the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways. Zinc is one of the important minerals that aloe vera possess and it works as an antioxidant (source) and helps in increasing enzyme activity to ensure the detoxification of metabolic waste.
How To Use:Â Try adding a tablespoon of aloe juice in a glass of water or smoothie and drink it in the morning to kick-start your day.
5. Aloe Vera Can Treat Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by too much sugar, or glucose, in the blood due to your body’s inability to regulate insulin. Aloe Vera is considered as a natural remedy for treating diabetes. It can help in treating diabetes by stabilizing the amount of glucose in the bloodstream.  If you are having diabetes and want to try aloe to alleviate your symptoms of diabetes then you must consult your doctor as he can advise you whether or not you are a good candidate for this natural remedy.
6. Aloe Vera Helps In Alkalizing Your Body
Alkalizing your body is very important to lead a healthy life. Rise in acidity in the body can make your body unhealthy and an unhealthy body is a breeding ground for many diseases. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline i.e. between 7.30 to 7.45. Anything below 7 is acidic and 7 is neutral. Aloe Vera can be very effective in alkalizing your body. It would help your body in balancing the excess acid coming from your acidic diet.
How To Use: Add a tablespoon of aloe juice in a glass of water and drink it in the morning.
7. Aloe Vera Hydrates Your Body
Keeping your body hydrated is very important. It helps your body in detoxification by providing a way to flush out impurities. A hydrated body can avoid exhaustion, fatigue and helps you to stay energetic throughout the day. Aloe vera is a very effective ingredient for hydrating your body. It is water dense and contains enough amount of potassium to boost your energy levels so that you can perform more physical activities in a day.
How To Use: Drink up to 8 ounces of aloe vera juice per day. You can mix it in with your smoothie or your favorite juice.
8. Aloe Vera Treats Pimple And Acne
Aloe Vera is a very popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry especially when it comes down to a natural remedy for treating acne. Its antibacterial properties prevent and kill acne-causing bacteria. Its antifungal properties reduce inflammation and prevent acne scars from getting infected. So, applying aloe vera face mask can help you get rid of pimples and acne.
How To Use:Â Â Take one tablespoon aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of bentonite clay. Mix them properly to make a mask and apply it on your cleansed face. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with normal water. IÂ have a detailed recipe of aloe vera face mask for treating pimples and acne. Click here for the recipe.
9. Aloe Vera Soothes Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the irritating skin conditions that you can have. It is a breeding ground for infections and bacteria which could lead to many skin problems. Like I mentioned earlier aloe vera is a hydrating agent. It is water-dense that not only hydrates your body but also hydrates your skin. It prevents your skin from getting dry, tight and flaky.
How To Use: Take one tablespoon aloe vera gel and one tablespoon honey. Mix them properly to make a mask and apply it on your face. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Wipe the mask off with a clean and damp cloth. IÂ have a detailed recipe of aloe vera face mask for treating dry skin. Click here for the recipe
10. Aloe Vera Works For Oily Skin
Aloe Vera works wonder for oily skin. It has natural astringent properties that absorb excess sebum(a natural oil produced by sebaceous glands in the skin) and dirt from the skin pores. The hydrating properties of aloe vera moisturize and rejuvenate skin without making it oily. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help in treating acne associated with oily skin.
How To Use: Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix them well to make a mask and apply it on your face. Let it sit for 25 minutes. Now rinse the mask off. I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera face mask for treating oily skin. Click here for the recipe
11. Aloe Vera Removes Dark Spots
Aloe Vera can help you get rid of dark spots. Its healing properties help in rejuvenating skin cells and thus fades away the dark spots. It contains vitamin C and E which are antioxidants that help in reducing skin pigmentation by restricting the overproduction of melanin. Try applying aloe vera face mask to get rid of dark spots.
How To Use: Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of turmeric powder. Mix all the ingredient to make a paste. Apply the mask to the face and gently massage for 5 minutes. Wipe it off with a clean and damp cloth. I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera face mask for treating dark spots. Click here for the recipe
12. Aloe Vera For Glowing Skin
Aloe Vera can make your skin glowing. It is rich in antioxidants which helps in repairing damaged cells and protects your skin from fine lines and wrinkles. Its antibacterial properties protect your skin from infections and bacteria that could cause pimples and acne. It rejuvenates your skin making it soft and glowing.
How To Use: Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix them properly to make a mask. Apply it on your face and gently massage it in a circular motion for 5 minutes. let the paste sit for 20 minutes and then wipe it off with a clean and damp cloth. I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera face mask for glowing skin. Click here for the recipe
13. Aloe Vera Stimulates Hair Growth
Aloe Vera is a rich source of vitamin B12. It helps in the formation of red blood cells which in turn boosts hair growth. It also helps in reducing excess sebum or oil on the scalp as excess sebum can mix with dirt and block the pores. This, in turn, would restrict hair growth.
How To Use: Take aloe vera gel as per the length and density of your hair. Mix castor oil with it properly by using a spoon. Cover your hair with a shower cap so that it does not ruin your cloth. Apply it on your cleansed scalp and hair. Rinse the mask off with a mild shampoo after 40 minutes.I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera hair mask for hair growth. Click here for the recipe
14. Aloe Vera Prevents Dandruff
Aloe Vera can be very effective for preventing dandruff. It is packed with vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C which are powerful antioxidants that boost your hair health from the inside out. It also protects the scalp from the harmful effects of free radicals which weakens cell, makes it susceptible to infections and cell death. Thus leading to dandruff.
How To Use: Take aloe vera gel as per the length and density of your hair. Now, mix two tablespoon coconut oil properly by using a spoon. Apply it on your cleansed scalp and hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Rinse the mask off with a mild shampoo after 30-40 minutes. I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera hair mask for treating dandruff. Click here for the recipeÂ
15. Aloe Vera Conditions Your Hair
Keeping your hair moisturized is very important as dry hair could lead to split ends and damaged hair. Aloe Vera helps in hair conditioning. It moisturizes your hair shaft and locks the moisture in it for a long a time. It deeply penetrates your hair follicles and hydrates it.
How To Use: Take aloe vera gel as per the length and density of hair. Now mix yogurt with it properly by using a spoon. Separate your hair and apply the hair conditioner from root to tip of the hair and on your scalp too. Keep it for one hour and rinse the mask off with a mild shampoo. I have a detailed recipe of aloe vera hair mask for deep conditioning. Click here for the recipe
Side Effects Of Aloe Vera Juice
Although aloe vera is a healthy ingredient but it may have some side effects. So, it would be better you take the following precautions before using aloe vera.
1. Always Look For Decolorized Aloe Vera Juice
Decolorized (purified, low anthraquinone) whole leaf aloe vera is considered safe. In a recent study, various concentration of purified aloe vera was fed to mice for three months and there was not any adverse effect found in them. (Source)
On the other hand, non decolorized, unpurified aloe vera juice can have many unpleasant side effects, including diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration.
While as per a study it is found that decolorized aloe vera juice is safer to drink as compared to colored aloe vera. (Source)
So it is advised to look for statements: decolorized, purified, organic, safety tested before purchasing aloe vera juice.
2. Drug InteractionÂ
Aloe vera can decrease blood sugar, and this could cause a problem with diabetes medications. It can also interact with sevoflurane (used as anesthesia during surgery) and warfarin (used as a blood thinner). There are many other drugs that aloe vera interacts with. (Source)
3. DosageÂ
I would recommend you to consult your doctor before adding aloe vera to your daily diet as the dosage of aloe vera can be different for various persons.
4. Precautions
Aloe Vera Juice is unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so avoid its use. It must also be avoided in children below 12 years of age. Besides if you are having allergic reaction or kidney issues then it is better to avoid aloe vera.
