15 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera, According to Science (+6 Delicious Recipes)

Aloe Vera is known for its various different names such as the medical aloe, burn plant, lily of the dessert, and elephant’s gall. The word “Aloe” actually comes from the family of succulents that the Aloe Vera comes from. The Aloe Vera is believed to have originated 6000 years ago from the country Sudan.

The plant naturally grows in dry, and warm climates such as the countries Africa, India, and other Middle Eastern countries. The Aloe Vera has been used as a medicinal plant for hundreds of years in dozens of countries such as Greece, Egypt, China, Philippines, Japan and much more.

Different parts of the plant are widely known to have different beneficial properties for the body, both, both internally and externally. It is most famous as an important nutrient for taking care of our hair and being added to different beverages. Here are 15 health benefits of the Aloe Vera as proven by science!

1. Aloe Vera Helps With Your Digestive System

A weak and unhealthy digestive system is related to many diseases. A strong and functioning digestive system is one of the important foundations of health. The Aloe Vera is used to smoothen and cleanse the digestive tract and help boost digestion. The amazing thing about using Aloe Vera internally is that it helps with both constipation and diarrhea.

The Aloe Vera helps regulate your waste excretion cycles in many ways you may need. It has been widely used by people with irregular bowel movement or acid reflux. Aloe Vera also helps eliminate bad bacteria inside our gut which promotes a healthy digestive system. (1)

Research have also shown that the Aloe Vera has also been shown to have anti-parasitic and anti-microbial properties. It is considered purgative on parasites due to its various nutrients and components. (2)

Key Takeaway: If you have trouble in excreting stool, diarrhea, or parasites, the Aloe Vera can help you get rid of your troubles. The Aloe Vera contains components and nutrients beneficial for our gut health!

2. The Aloe Vera Can Be Used To Promote The Healing Of Wounds

Aloe Vera is usually applied as a topical medication, meaning it is rubbed on the skin and other external body parts rather than taken in orally.The Aloe Vera has long been used for the treatment of particularly burns, sores, including sunburns.

Most notably, back in 1959, the Federal Drug Agency of the United States approved Aloe Vera as an over-the-counter or natural medication for skin burns. Studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for first- and second-degree burns.(3)

Multiple studies on Aloe Vera have found out that the application of Aloe Vera on wounds can accelerate the healing process by as much as 9 days, higher than other conventional medications. This is very important due to its applications to far fetch rural areas where first aid medications for a wound are inaccessible. (4)

Key Takeaway: The Aloe Vera has already been used by ancient doctors, especially the Chinese, in treating various diseases and ailments. However, special notice has been given by modern research on its topical applications. Indeed, the Aloe Vera can speed up healing.

3. The Aloe Vera Can Prevent Dental Plaque Buildup

An unhealthy oral hygiene or unchecked oral health can lead to various gum and tooth diseases. Reducing the buildup of plaque in our teeth is one of the best ways to prevent this from happening.

In a research done in 2014, the researchers compared the effectivity of Aloe Vera Juice to the standard mouthwash chlorhexidine by asking 300 healthy participants to split into two groups. Each group was then asked to try either one of the two alternatives.

After 4 days of the experiment, the Aloe Vera mouth rinse and the chlorhexidine mouthwash were reported to have no significant difference when it comes to promoting oral health and fighting plaque. Many other types of research also have the same result thus supporting the belief that Aloe Vera can promote good oral health. (6)

Key Takeaway: If you find commercial mouthwashes to be very expensive and unaffordable, using Aloe Vera Juice can be just as effective to prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth.

4. Aloe Vera Can Be Used To Treat Constipation

Aloe Vera has often been believed by older generations to fight against constipation. This is because traditional medicine believes that the Aloe Vera has tons of benefits for the digestive system, and one of these benefits is fighting constipation.

However, this time it is not the Aloe Vera’s gel that provides the benefits, but the barbaloin. Barbaloin can be found mostly in the younger leaves of the Aloe Vera. Barbaloin has been found by researchers to help ease the excretory function of the digestive system. (7)

Barbaloin, also known as aloin is known to have laxative properties. This means that it has the ability to help the intestinal muscles contract thus resulting in a smoother and easier bowel movement. It can help constipated individuals find release from the pain and discomfort caused by the ailment.

Key Takeaway: If you have constipation or trouble excreting your stool, the barbaloin or aloin which can be extracted from the younger leaves of the Aloe Vera can be a helpful and effective treatment.

5. Aloe Vera Extract Can Be Used To Prevent Wrinkles And Skin Aging

One of the major causes why the skin ages rapidly are due to the drop of the elasticity of the skin cells and fibers. One reason of this is because of the lack of collagen and moisture in the skin. This causes the skin to sag and makes the poor person suffering it to look older than their age. (8)

Luckily, research has shown that Aloe Vera has properties to help prevent the early onset of skin aging. There is evidence that suggests that topically applied Aloe Vera can slow down the aging of the skin.

In a study done by Dr. Soyun Cho in 2009, 30 women aged 45 and above were asked to apply Aloe Vera gel on their skin to see whether it would benefit the subjects’ complexion.

During and after the 90-day experiment, it was seen that the Aloe Vera gel increased the skin’s collagen production and improved skin elasticity. This resulted in a younger looking and less wrinkled skin among the participants. (9)

Key Takeaway: If you start to see the symptoms of skin aging or fear that you would, applying Aloe Vera gel on your skin will definitely help you.

6. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice Lowers Blood Sugar And Prevents Diabetes

Aloe Vera has been used as a traditional medicine for various ailments for a very long time. Indigenous people have believed that Aloe Vera can scare away evil spirits residing in the body and heal the person from diseases.

One such disease is the infamous and deadly diabetes. Diabetes is caused by either the body’s inability to utilize insulin and the other is the overabundance of glucose and sugar in our blood stream. (10)

Several types of research have shown that ingestion of Aloe Vera supplements has helped both animal and human test subjects to utilize insulin and at the same time improve blood sugar levels in the bloodstream. However, more research has been done on its ability to fight Type 2 Diabetes. (11)

Key Takeaway: Diabetes can be a really devastating disease for not just the sick but also to their family. Thankfully, it is also a preventable disease with the help of a proper diet and exercise, Aloe Vera can lower the possibility of you ever getting diabetes.

7. Aloe Vera Can Help Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are very common and usually harmless sores that occur in our mouths. Mouth ulcers may be harmless but they are definitely uncomfortable to live with. They often occur on the lips, tongue, or inside of the cheeks. The sore usually goes away after a week or two.

A recent study in 2013 has shown the potential of Aloe Vera to heal mouth ulcers faster than letting it heal on its own. In the research done 180 individuals with recurring mouth ulcers were given Aloe Vera patches on the affected area. (12)

The result of the research on Aloe Vera yielded that the size of the ulcers was decreased considerably due to the polysaccharide Acemannan present in the Aloe Vera gel. Surprisingly another study not only showed the same result but also exhibited the Aloe Vera’s ability to lessen the pain of the mouth ulcer. (13)

Key Takeaway: If you have a mouth ulcer, applying Aloe Vera to it will make it cure faster.

8. Aloe Vera Drinks Boost The Immune System

Beverages made from the Aloe Vera juice has natural detoxifying components that effectively clean the circulatory and digestive system. The Aloe Vera is able to accelerate the absorption level of nutrients by the body, this results in a better blood circulation

The Aloe Vera also improves the body’s nutrients levels within the cells. These healthy cells ensure that the body is able to fight off infections by strengthening the immune system. The Aloe Vera is able to neutralize harmful bacteria with the use of its antibacterial components. (14)

The antioxidant property of the Aloe Vera helps the body be protected by other environmental factors such as stress, pollution and more. The Aloe Vera polysaccharides are strong components against infections.

Key Takeaway: The Aloe Vera plant is a very helpful plant when you are in need of an immunity booster. The Aloe Vera is sure to keep infections away.

9. Aloe Vera Gel Can Keep Your Food Fresh

Eating unclean or slightly rotten foods such as fruit and vegetables and pose a high and dangerous risk to our health. That is why it is important to keep your food fresh and clean all the time with the use of a refrigerator or other chemicals.

Although this benefit is not really directly from the Aloe Vera to you, the Aloe Vera’s ability to help preserve food will already indirectly protect you against possible future diseases in the future.

A 2014 study by Cambridge University sampled tomatoes coated with the gel from Aloe Vera. The research found out that the Aloe Vera coating has helped prevent the growth of many types of harmful bacteria. (15)

Key Takeaway: If you want to keep your food fresh and bacteria-free, but you have no refrigerator to put it in, then the Aloe Vera can be a great alternative to doing so.

10. Aloe Vera Has The Potential To Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer or a type of malignant cancer that originated from the breast cells. It is one of the most common types of cancer among women patients and second most common overall. Just last 2012, 1.7 million women worldwide have contracted this deadly and scary disease.

Aloe Vera has been said to have lessened the probability of breast cancer among people who have potential to get the disease. A study last 2013 by the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Organization. (17)

The researchers were able to indeed give evidence that Aloe Vera can indeed lessen the chance of breast cancer. The emodin, a purgative resin, in Aloe Vera is believed to be behind this amazing benefit.

Key Takeaway: Breast Cancer is a scary thing to think about. However, at an early age, both women and women should already be finding ways to prevent it.Aloe Vera extract shows a potential in defending women against this cancer.

11. The Aloe Vera Gel Can Be Used To Prevent And Cure Hair Loss

Alopecia or hair loss is a common yet embarrassing predicament. It is most common among men who are above 40 years old, this is because of their scalps inability to handle the presence of dihydrotestosterone, or a broken down form of the testosterone. (18)

The Aloe Vera has been known by a lot of cultures and indigenous doctors as an effective solution against hair loss. The said benefits are so famous that a lot of multinational hair product companies have integrated Aloe Vera extracts into their products.

A study in 2010 that was published in the International Journal of Pharmacology has shown that the application of Aloe Vera extract on the skin of their test subjects promoted the regrowth of the hair. The study showed that it only took 5 days of application for the first sign of regrowth to show up. (19)

Key Takeaway: If you are at starting to lose hair or already have lost some, applying pure and natural Aloe Vera can help reverse your hair loss and eventually return your scalp to is former youthful look.

12. Aloe Vera Can Be Used To Relieve Heartburn

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or more commonly known as GERD or Heartburn is a digestive disorder. It affects the lower esophageal sphincter, which is a muscle that connects the esophagus and the stomach. (20)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can often be treated by simply having a lifestyle change or a healthier diet. However, there are cases wherein the patient needs to take in medications or surgery to cure their GERD. (21)

Key Takeaway: A research in 2010 showed that consuming 1 to 3 ounces of Aloe Vera Gel after mealtime could reduce the intensity of GERD or heartburn. The same research showed other digestive system benefits that the Aloe Vera has. The Aloe Vera’s low toxic levels make it a gentle and safe remedy for heartburn.

13. Facial Application Of Aloe Vera Gel Can Prevent Acne

The beauty benefits of Aloe Vera are endless. That is why Aloe Vera is used as an active ingredient in moisturizers, face washes, moisturizers, lotions, soaps, and many other beauty products.This is due to the Aloe Vera’s s moisturizing, and curative properties.

The Aloe Vera is so powerful when it comes to beautifying the complexion that even the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra is believed to have used Aloe Vera as part of her daily beauty regime.

The Aloe Vera prevents acne in different ways. One is its antibacterial properties is that it prevents bacteria from infecting the pores. Its astringent property that removes dirt and oil from the skin, and if you did have acne, Aloe Vera can help your skin regenerate better to avoid scars. (22)

Key Takeaway: If you want to prevent acne breakout, then apply Aloe Vera gel on your face every single day.

14. Aloe Vera Can Be Used As A Herbal Remedy To Fight Gastric Cancer

We all know gastric cancer as something that affects your daily digestion. This cancer originates when there are rapidly growing cancer cells in the stomach lining.

The symptoms of such a harmful disease can be lack of appetite, pain (only when undiagnosed for a long time), and feeling bloated and full. Interestingly, treatment options for gastric cancer include aloe vera for its powerful cytotoxic properties. Aloe vera, as you already know, is a powerful and anti-carcinogenic compound. (23)

It has many herbal properties, including the prevention of breast cancer. So you can add this health benefit to the list too. Lastly, aloe vera plays an important role in preventing gastric ulcers, indigestion problems, and obesity.

Key Takeaway: The herbal extracts of aloe vera show positive signs of preventing and healing of gastric cancer and inflammation.

15. Aloe Vera Leaf Extract Helps Heal Psoriasis

Psoriasis is characterized by dry, itchy, and sensitive patches on the skin. It is a serious immune condition increases with cell death on the surface of the skin. It is an untreatable skin condition that can be minimized, if not completely healed on the body. (24)

That said, aloe vera extracts also offer their own magical properties for the management of psoriasis. A clinical trial conducted on a mouse showed that the ethanolic extract of aloe vera had a 81% chance of antipsoriatic properties. (25)

Another controlled study found that aloe vera extracts applied on the skin show antitoxic and antipsoriatic properties in the healing of this skin condition. Aloe vera extracts have no side-effects so it can be considered a safer and more natural alternative to cure psoriasis. (26)

Key Takeaway: Psoriasis is characterized by the multiplying of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This leads to dry and itchy patches on the knees, palms, elbows, etc. With the help of aloe vera extracts, you can reduce the intensity of psoriasis from becoming large, red plaques.

6 Delicious Recipes for Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera plants often grow in very hot and humid environments. That is why its leaves evolved to carry as much water as possible. It has a structure similar to other succulents. It is used both for decorative and medicinal purposes.

However, with more and more benefits being discovered from ingesting its components, people are finding easier ways to eat or drink this miraculous plant. Even some multinational companies have integrated Aloe Vera to their drinks in hopes to attract people who are knowledgeable in the benefits of the Aloe Vera plant.

The plant of the Aloe Vera itself has a structure that is quite hard to eat as a whole. The Aloe Vera’s skin composes of tough and thick fibrous materials, while the inside is a sponge-like structure. That is why most recipes for the Aloe Vera plant consists of drinks. Here are 6 delicious recipes for Aloe Vera!

1. Chunky Aloe Vera Salsa

This delicious salsa is perfect for nacho chips or any other chips you can get your hands on. Get the anti-oxidizing benefits of Aloe Vera with every dip!

Ingredients:

1 Cup of fresh onion Chives

1 piece of large lemon

1 Clove of fresh garlic

350 grams of Aloe Vera Leaves

2 pieces of fresh tomatoes

3 pieces of Fresh Baby Marrow

1 tablespoon of Sea Salt

Method:

1. Chop both the onion chives and the fresh garlic.

2. Slice the lemon into two equal pieces and squeeze the juices into a cup.

3. Fillet the Aloe Vera leaves to get the gel inside.

4. Combine the tomatoes, garlic, baby marrow, and Aloe gel into a blender.

5. Blend the mixture until it has a paste-like texture.

6. Transfer the blended mixture into a bowl and add the onion chives, lemon juice, and salt.

7. Mix all the ingredients using a spatula.

8. Enjoy dipping!

2. Aloe Vera Lemonade with Orange

This refreshing and reinvigorating drink is sure to tickle your taste buds whilst improving your digestive system at the same time.

Ingredients:

500 grams of Aloe Vera

10 pieces of Ice Cubes

1 piece of Large Lemon

4 Tablespoon of Raw Agave Nectar

1/2 Cup of Young Coconut Water

1 piece of Large Orange Juice

Method:

1. Fillet the Aloe Vera to extract the gel inside its leaves.

2. Slice the orange into two and squeeze tightly to get every drop of juice.

3. Perform the same process in step number 3 to the Lemon.

4. Combine all ingredients in a blender.

5. Blend the ingredients together at high speed until the mixture turns into slush.

6. Pour the delicious lemonade drink with Aloe Vera into a glass and garnish with a lemon or orange slice.

7. Enjoy the summer sun with this drink!

3. Stir Fried Aloe Vera

This one of a kind dish is sure to fulfill your stomachs with so much Aloe Vera goodness. A unique way of preparing an otherwise unpalatable plant!

Ingredients:

1 cup of Aloe flesh (from three large sized, fresh leaves)

2 teaspoon of ghee

1 teaspoon of cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon of salt

Method:

1. Remove the tips of and the sharp edges of each Aloe Vera leaf.

2. Using a sharp knife peel the skin off from both sides of the leaves. The process if similar to filleting a fish. Avoid the Aloe Vera’s latex (the yellow liquid from the skin) from coming into contact with the flesh, otherwise it will make the whole dish bitter.

3. Cleanse the flesh in an abundant amount of water and drain it thoroughly.

4. Cut the flesh into bite sized cubes. Rinse again in water and let it drain in a strainer.

5. Sprinkle the flesh with turmeric powder and let the turmeric covered flesh sit for 10-15 minutes.

6. Preheat the ghee in a medium frying pan.

7. Sauté the cumin seeds and wait for them to crackle. When they do, throw in the aloe flesh and salt. Stir fry everything for4-5 minutes.

8. Serve as a viand for a main meal, or as a filler for sandwiches.

9. Enjoy!

4. Sweet Aloe Vera Sweets

If you’re a sweet tooth but want to eat healthier foods, then this is a perfect recipe for you. This Aloe Vera sweets not only satisfies your sugar craving but also your Aloe Vera needs.

Ingredients:

500 milliliters of full fat milk

½ cup of Aloe Vera Gel

½ cup of fresh cream

1 tablespoon of ghee

2 tablespoons of sugar

2 tablespoons of pistachios, rinsed and sliced

Method:

1. Pour the 500 ml of full fat milk into a large sauce pan then with a low to medium flame, slowly heat the milk until the milk starts to froth or bubble on top.

2. After the froth starts to form, add in the Aloe Vera gel.

3. Continue to simmer the milk and Aloe Vera gel until the milk evaporates to only 1/3 of its original volume. The milk should become thick and creamy.

4. Meanwhile, create a sugar syrup by melting the sugar with ¼ cup of water in a sauce pan. Use a double boiler for this to avoid burning the sugar.

5. Pour in the fresh cream milk and stir gently. After a few minutes or when the milk starts to caramelize, add in the sugar syrup.

6. Grease a large square pan with ghee or butter. Make sure to do this evenly. Pour in the Aloe Vera mixture with milk and spread it evenly across the pan. Refrigerate the Aloe Vera sweets for 1 hour then cut it into even squares. Otherwise you could just break them with a spoon.

7. Serve the sweet within two to three days to avoid spoilage. Enjoy!

5. Aloe Vera Curry

Curry dishes are one of the most famous dishes from the Asia. Its unique and taste perfectly complements the benefits that the Aloe Vera would provide!

Ingredients:

2 pieces of Aloe Vera leaves

½ teaspoon of Red chili powder

1 teaspoon of Coriander powder

¼ teaspoon of Asafetida

½ teaspoon of Fenugreek seeds

½ teaspoon of Aniseeds

½ teaspoon of Amchoor powder

½ teaspoon of Jaggery

1 pieces of Black cardamom

1 piece of Star anise

1 inch of a Cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon of Tomato puree

1 tablespoon of Yogurt

Table salt

Cooking oil

Method:

1. Rinse the Aloe Vera leaves with flowing water. Then peel and cut the leaves into cubes.

2. Add salt and boil the Aloe Vera leaves for 3 minutes. Drain it with a strainer and set aside.

3. Preheat a frying pan with 3 tablespoons of oil. Thrown in the red chili powder, asafetida, salt, jaggery and coriander powder. Cook for a minute then throw in all other spices.

4. Add ¼ cup of water then include the Aloe Vera cubes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

5. Add the beaten yogurt and the curry and stir on low to medium flame for 1-2 more minutes.

6. Serve with a cup of rice and Enjoy!

6. Aloe Vera Tender Coconut and Methi Sprouts

Aloe Vera and Coconut are both regarded by many cultures as two of the most important gifts from nature. That is why including them both in a dish like this give you great amount of nutrients and benefits!

Ingredients:

2 leaves of Aloe Vera

2 tablespoons of Methi Sprouts

2 tablespoons of Tender Coconut

2 teaspoons of Oil

1 teaspoon of Mustard Seeds

½ teaspoon of Cumin Seeds

1 teaspoon of Sugar or Jaggery

½ teaspoon of Chili Powder

½ teaspoon of Coriander Powder

Curry Leaves

2 teaspoons of Chopped Coriander Leaves

½ cup of Lemon Juice

Salt

Method:

1. Clean and peel the Aloe Vera leaves and cut them into cubes

2. Preheat the cooking oil in a pan. Put in the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.

3. When the ingredients start to cook, throw in the methi sprouts and sauté for about two minutes.

4. Mix in the Aloe Vera cubes and sauté for another minute or so.

5. Mix in the coriander powder, chili powder, sugar and salt. Gently stir the ingredients together.

6. Add 1 teaspoon of the chopped coriander leaves and sauté.

7. Finally throw in the tender coconut meat and the lime juice, mix well until ingredients are equally distributed.

8. Transfer the final product to a large bowl and garnish it with the remaining coriander leaves.

Wrapping It Up

The Aloe Vera is a very famous and well-known plant in the beauty industry. It has been used both traditionally and commercially in treating different diseases and ailments. The Aloe Vera became even more famous when hair and skin beauty product started integrating the miraculous leaves into their products.

The Aloe Vera may be famous for its beauty applications, however; the Aloe Vera offers more benefits than what people know. Some of these benefits include speeding up the healing of wounds, prevent cancer, promote good digestion, prevent heartburn, and lower the blood sugar levels.

Indeed the Aloe Vera deserves its name as the miracle succulent with its dozens of benefits, which as of the moment are still being increased by further medical and clinical research. If you want a healthy and happy life, make sure to add Aloe Vera in your daily regimes!