Aloe vera (scientific name Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a remarkable succulent renowned for its ability to store water within its thick, fleshy leaves in the form of a nutrient-rich gel. This adaptation allows it to thrive in harsh, arid climates and makes it an invaluable resource for human health.
Having aloe vera plants in your home provides plenty of benefits. Not only do they purify indoor air, but they also serve as a versatile natural remedy and an abundant source of nutrition.
When harvested, aloe vera leaves yield two distinct substances: the gel, which is a thick, mucilaginous substance packed with essential nutrients, hydrating polysaccharides, antioxidants and other useful compounds; and the leaf juice or sap, a bitter, yellowish liquid that contains aloin, a potent laxative that can cause stomach discomfort if consumed in excess.
Aloe vera gel is a versatile natural product with many household applications. Thanks to its natural cleansing properties, aloe vera gel is an ideal ingredient in non-toxic homemade cleaners. You can also make a moisturizing, all-natural hand sanitizer by mixing 1 part aloe gel with 2 parts rubbing alcohol and a few drops of essential oils of your choice.
In addition to cleaning your hands and your home, aloe vera can also be used for food preservation. A study published online by Cambridge University Press reported that aloe vera extract can be applied as an edible coating to fresh produce to extend their shelf life. Researchers found that antioxidant-rich aloe vera helped retain the quality of fresh tomatoes stored in ambient conditions and even helped delay their ripening. [1]
6 Incredible health-related uses for Aloe Vera*
But more than its practical applications, what truly makes aloe vera gel an invaluable gift from Mother Nature is its ability to support optimal health and wellness. Here’s what science has discovered about aloe vera:
Aloe vera provides a wealth of essential nutrients and health-supporting compounds
Aloe vera leaf gel is more than just a popular cosmetic ingredient — it is also a good source of nutrition that you can easily add to your diet. According to studies, aloe vera gel contains over 75 bioactive components, including essential nutrients such as: [2]
· Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor)
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin E
· Vitamin B9 (folate)
· Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
· Choline
· Calcium
· Chromium
· Copper
· Magnesium
· Manganese
· Potassium
· Selenium
· Sodium
· Zinc
Aloe vera also provides 20 of the 22 amino acids the human body needs to produce proteins. These include 7 of the 9 essential amino acids you can only get from foods.
Aloe vera also boasts an abundance of phytonutrients that can support overall health and wellness. These include:
· Functional enzymes, some of which help your body break down sugars and fats
· Polysaccharides like acemannan, which is known for its many health-supporting properties [3]
· Anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds that have shown strong antioxidant activities in studies [4]
· Plant sterols like campesterol, beta-sitosterol and lupeol that have been linked to various health benefits [5]
· Plant hormones like auxins and gibberellins, which are widely studied for their beneficial biological activities [6]
Aloe vera supports healthy digestion
Aloe vera has a long history of use as a natural remedy that offers digestive relief. According to studies, aloe vera’s high water content and the presence of compounds like anthraquinones can naturally support regular bowel movements. [7][8][9] What’s more, some of the functional enzymes in aloe vera like amylase, carboxypeptidase and lipase help in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats from food, thus supporting healthy digestion.
Aloe vera supports healthy antioxidant defenses
Aloe vera contains a wide variety of antioxidants — from powerful vitamins like C and E and minerals like copper, zinc and selenium, to potent phytonutrients like carotenoids, polyphenols, indoles and alkaloids. [10] When you make aloe vera a part of a healthy daily routine (e.g., mixing aloe vera gel into your drinking water or fruit juice), these antioxidants can support your body’s natural antioxidant defenses by making sure you have enough free radical neutralizers that can protect healthy cells from oxidative damage.
Aloe vera supports healthy, glowing skin
One of the largest beneficiaries of aloe vera’s abundant antioxidant supply is the skin. Research shows that aside from cosmetics which are applied topically, ingestion of antioxidants from plant food sources like aloe vera also helps protect and maintain healthy, glowing skin. [11]
Aloe vera is also a well-known natural moisturizing agent. According to a review article published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, special polysaccharides in aloe vera like acemannan can keep the skin sufficiently moisturized by helping it retain water. [12] Meanwhile, another aloe polysaccharide – glucomannan – and the plant hormone gibberellin have been shown to support the natural repair functions of skin cells. [13]
Aside from antioxidants and polysaccharides, aloe vera gel also contains C-glucosyl chromone and alprogen, two phytonutrients that can naturally soothe the skin.
Aloe vera supports the body's natural ability to eliminate toxic elements
Your body is equipped with several organs that work together to get rid of harmful substances. According to a 2020 study, aloe vera gel contains active components that can support this important natural process. [14] In addition, aloe vera’s ability to support bowel regularity, thanks to the presence of anthraquinones, also helps with your body’s natural elimination of toxic waste.
Aloe vera serves as an effective natural mouthwash
Aloe vera is an excellent ingredient for an all-natural mouthwash, thanks to its polyphenol content. According to research, some polyphenols not only act as antioxidants but also as effective natural cleansing agents that can support oral health. [15]
In a study published in the Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, researchers reported that aloe vera was just as effective at cleaning the oral cavity as mainstream mouthwash. They also noted that gargling with an aloe vera-based solution every day is a much safer way to support optimal oral health than gargling with commercial mouthwash, which often contains harsh chemicals. [16]
Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences suggests that aloe vera can be used in various ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums. [17]
Where to get clean, lab-verified Freeze-dried Organic Aloe Vera Powder
With its great versatility and many health-supporting properties, aloe vera’s popularity is truly well-deserved. You’ll find plenty of everyday uses for this amazing plant. You can use aloe vera as a natural remedy, a dietary supplement or an active ingredient in homemade personal care products.
To help you enjoy the many uses and health benefits of aloe vera, the Health Ranger Store is bringing back a versatile product that allows you to easily incorporate aloe vera into a healthy daily routine.
Health Ranger Select Organic Freeze-Dried Aloe Vera 200:1 Extract Powder is a clean, lab-verified product that you can conveniently store for long periods. Sourced from the fresh leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller plants carefully grown under strict organic standards, this premium aloe vera powder is one of the cleanest products you’ll find on the market.
Health Ranger Select Organic Freeze-Dried Aloe Vera 200:1 Extract Powder is made from highly concentrated aloe vera extract that has been freeze-dried to retain maximum nutrition. This high-quality product is 200x more concentrated than raw aloe, making it one of the most potent aloe vera extract powders in the world. Every gram of this premium extract powder is equivalent to 200 grams of organic raw inner leaf gel.
Health Ranger Select Organic Freeze-Dried Aloe Vera 200:1 Extract Powder contains no synthetic chemicals, preservatives or additives. It is also vegan, non-GMO, non-China, GRAS-affirmed and certified Kosher and organic. As with every product at the Health Ranger Store, our premium aloe vera extract powder is also extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[7] https://www.healthline.com
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[9] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[10] https://orgmedchemlett.springeropen.com
[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[12] https://link.springer.com
[13] https://link.springer.com
[14] https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org
[15] https://decisionsindentistry.com
[16] https://www.ajol.info/index.php
