Top 5 Health Benefits of Aloe
Published:With everything that Aloe Vera can do to promote good health in humans, it's surprising that more people don't just keep a whole forest of it growing in their yards! Did you know that aloe can kill bacteria, reduce dental plaque, destroy canker sores, and even help you if you're constipated?! The real question is-- what CAN'T Aloe do? Check out our Top 5 Benefits of Aloe for more information!
1) Strong Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties
- Gel contains powerful antioxidants, which belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols
- Polyphenols can inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause infections
- Several other compounds in Aloe vera also contain antibacterial properties
- Antioxidants in aloe can help repair cell damage
- An aloe leaf per day keeps the doctor away ;-)
2) Offers Laxative Properties
- Aloe vera has been used for a long time to treat constipation
- The latex within the aloe plant contains the natural laxatives
- The latex is a sticky yellow residue found just under the skin of the leaf
- The key compound responsible for this effect is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has well-established laxative effects
- Unfortunately it does not appear to be beneficial for other diseases of the digestive tract
3) Can Help Make Burns Heal More Quickly
- Aloe is most commonly used as a topical medication, rubbed onto the skin rather than eaten
- FDA first approved Aloe vera ointment as an over-the-counter medication for skin burns back in 1959
- It is an effective topical treatment for first- and second-degree burns
- A review of 4 experimental studies found that Aloe vera could reduce the healing time of burns by around 9 days
- The evidence for Aloe helping to heal other types of wounds is currently inconclusive
4) Can Be Used to Treat Canker Sores (Mouth Ulcers)
- Studies have convincingly shown that Aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers
- In a 7-day study of 180 people with recurrent mouth ulcers, an Aloe vera patch applied to the area was effective in reducing the size of the ulcers
- However, it was not as effective as the conventional ulcer treatment, which is corticosteroids
- In another study, Aloe vera gel not only accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduced the pain associated with them
- Can be applied to the sore as a gel or as a patch
5) Can Help Reduce Dental Plaque Buildup
- Kills the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutans
- It also destroys the yeast Candida albicans
- In a mouth rinse study of 300 healthy people, 100% pure Aloe vera juice was compared to the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine
- After 4 days of use, the Aloe vera mouth rinse was found to be just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque
- Another study found similar benefits of Aloe vera mouth rinse when used over a 15-to-30 day period