Aloe Vera: The Commander Of A Multitude Of Health Benefits

The health benefits of Aloe Vera are numerous, beginning with improving the digestive system all the way to preserving food; it can result in optimal health in the long run. Aloe Vera strengthens the immune system, delays the aging process, cures dermatitis, alleviates menstrual problems, reduces arthritis pain, heals wounds, cures nausea, eliminates ulcers, lowers blood sugar levels, prevents diabetes, reduces oxidative stress, inhibits cancerous growth, heals the side effects of radiotherapy treatments, promotes hair growth, and soothes acid reflux symptoms.
This widely useful plant also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, improves cardiovascular functions, alleviates joint and muscle pain, enhances life span, and cures gum diseases. This plant has been used for ages to alleviate pain, since it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies are still being conducted to discover more benefits of the aloe plant that will undoubtedly make it even more important in the medicinal practices of cultures all around the world.
Aloe Vera is also known as medicinal aloe, and some of its common names are Lily of the Desert, Burn Plant, and Elephant’s Gall. It belongs to the family of succulent plants in the genus ‘Aloe’. The origin of Aloe Vera is believed to be in Sudan and has been used for more than 6,000 years. The great virtues of this plant have been recognized by many civilizations, including the Egyptians, Spanish, Persians, Greek, Italians, Africans, Japanese and Indians. Aloe Vera grows best in warm, dry climates and is densely found in India, Africa, and other arid zones. This species has a wide usage in herbal medicine. The Aloe Vera plant has compounds such as mannans, polysaccharides, lectins, and anthraquinones that are extremely beneficial for human health.

Aloe Vera plant is often a stemless or sometimes very short-stemmed juicy plant that grows 60–100 cm (24–39 in) height, and the offsets spread out wide. The leaves of this plant are thick and fleshy; and the color varies from green to grey-green. Some varieties of this plant have white flecks on the upper and lower portions of the stem surfaces. The margin of the leaves is like saw-tooth and the flowers bloom . This plant can be easily grown both indoors and outdoors.
Nigeria Natural Health Online will feature subsequent articles on how to apply aloe vera for specific purposes. Always keep a date with us.