April 14, 2018

Aloe Vera: Hair, Skin and Everything In Between

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

There’s a reason why aloe vera is now a major ingredient in numerous skin and hair care products, and it’s not just because it’s great for that sunburn! Aloe’s use can be traced back about 6,000 years to Ancient Egypt, where it had a variety of uses, including the treatment of wounds and for hair loss.

Aloe vera contains many vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals like copper and zinc, plant steroids and fatty acids. Today, the gel of the aloe vera plant is most commonly used for the skin, while aloe vera supplementation is used to get the benefits of the plant from the inside, out.

Oral Health

The juice of the Aloe leaf is a natural way to enhance your oral health, especially for your teeth and gums. When compared to common chemicals found in many mouthwashes, aloe vera has been shown to reduce gingival plaque and bleeding gums. According to the Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences, aloe vera is effective in controlling bacteria that causes cavities and does not contain abrasives found in most toothpastes.

Hair Care

Aloe vera is commonly used in hair care products to soothe the scalp and to repair damaged hair cells. It is also used in many conditioners and hair treatment masks to tame frizz. Because it has the ability to increase blood circulation, aloe may also promote hair growth, as you may start to see hair breakage and loss slow down.

Skin Care

Aloe vera gel extracted from the aloe vera plant is commonly known as a multitasker for our skin. It is great for providing moisture, healing burns, soothing and calming inflammation like rashes and eczema. In a study published in the journal The Annals of Dermatology, 30 women over the age of 45 applied a topical application of the aloe gel to their skin that increased collagen production and improved the skin’s elasticity over a 90-day period.

Digestion

Found under the skin of the aloe leaf is latex – a sticky, yellow residue – that actually had been used to provide digestive benefits, especially for constipation. This is due to the latex having a strong laxative effect.