Medicinal use of Aloe Vera in Ayurveda

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Aloe vera(ghritkumari) is medicinal succulent plant that is used to treat conditions related to joint pain, skin problems, liver, vat (air related), digestive system, bowel movement, constipation and many more. It is one of the oldest plant used as medicine all over world in various medicine system. It is a great source of vitamins and it's gel contains vitamins like vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and folic acid etc. External application of aloe vera on skin is very effective to heal cuts, rashes, insect bite and its bactericidal properties relieve itching and skin swellings. It is one of the best health tonic to improve digestion and boost immunity.

Credit of Image:Aloe vera CC BY-SA 3.0 Aloe vera plantationNikodem Nijaki Own Work

It is also used in moisturizers, face washes and creams to treat dark spots, dryness and other blemishes on skin. Aloe vera leaves have gel or pulp that can be used externally or internally. Its pulp can be taken internally 20-40 gms to cure vat related problems in body.

Aloe vera gel can be eaten fresh, in form of vegetable, paratha or laddu. To make paratha knead pulp in flour and make as we make other paratha. To make laddu fry pulp in desi ghee and mix with atta and give laddu shape. Also pulp can be fried and can be eaten as vegetable by adding salt. Aloe vera juice that is available in market from good brand can be drink.

Medicinal properties

It is an immunity booster, great detoxifier and dietary supplement in pre and post-operative patients. Useful in various diseases such as type II diabetes, arthritis, eye disease, tumour, spleen enlargement, liver complaints, vomiting, bronchitis, asthma, jaundice and ulcers. Relieves constipation, maintains a good gastric pH, helps in inflammatory bowel diseases, non-ulcer, dyspepsia, gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is recommended in adjuvant therapy with antibiotics, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and chemotherapy to eliminate drug induced gastritis and other adverse effects.

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice

Improving Digestive system With Aloe Vera:Take out pulp from fresh leaves and put them in glass jar and daily keep in sun to evaporate water. Regularly consume this in morning to improve digestive system. Aloe vera juice is natural cleanser of digestive system. It improves bowel movement and very effective in treatment of constipation. It is also effective in slowing down diarrhea.

Energy Level: Regular drinking of aloe vera juice helps maintain a healthy body weight and increases energy level. It also cures fatigue and exhaustion.

Great Immunity Booster: It is great immunity booster for those who have chronic immune disorders like polysaccharides or fibromyalgia since the polysaccharides in Aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, the white blood cells that fight viruses.

Great Detoxifier: Aloe vera juice is a great natural aid to detoxify body. As we need to cleanse our systems from time to time because of our stressful lives, the pollution and the junk foods we eat. Drinking Aloe vera juice provides a fantastically rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to help our bodies deal with these stresses and strains every day.

Reduces inflammation: It improves joint flexibility and helps in the regeneration of body cells. It strengthens joint muscles, which therefore reduces pain and inflammation in weakened or aged joints.

Skin Protection: Aloe vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist to help avoid flaky scalp and skin in harsh and dry weather. Aloin and its gel are used as skin tonic against pimples. The Aloe sugars are also used in moisturizing preparations. Mixed with selected essential oils, it makes an excellent skin smoothening moisturizer, sun block lotion plus a whole range of beauty products. Due to its soothing and cooling qualities.

Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Arthritis Treatment Using Aloe Vera:Take pulp of fresh aloe vera leaf and mix with mustard oil and massage the area of pain. Also take leaf and heat it and extract pulp and put that on cotton and apply on pain area. It is also beneficial in arthritis when taken internally in form of juice or pulp. Diabetes patients can also take it without any side effect.

Skin Care Using Aloe Vera:It can be applied on skin to remove blemishes and dryness. When skin gets burned then applying pulp gives relief and avoids the burnt mark. Sometimes when due to burn skin become hard and itching and pain occur then take pulp and mix with honey and massage affected area and leave it for 2 hrs. Do it daily and in few days skin will become soft and also burnt marks will be light.

Head pain:Apply pulp on forehead.

To increase appetite using Aloe Vera:Aloe vera juice also increases appetite.

Hair problems:Consuming 50 gms of aloe vera daily stops untimely greying of hairs. For hair fall, thinning of hair, breakage mix pulp with bringraj, curd, multani mitti and apply on hair and wash.

Liver:Take 1 kg of pulp, add 10 gm black pepper, 50 gm rock salt and 60 gm lemon juice put all in jar and keep in sun for 10-15 days. It acts as liver tonic and can be taken 15-20 ml in morning. It is also good in arthritis and digestive system.

Ear pain:Take pulp and put in ear.

Anemia: Consume aloe vera juice with wheatgrass juice. Irregular period and over bleeding:Take 20 gm pulp and 2-3 gms geru powder and consume to cure menses related problems.

Constipation in infants:Get aloe vera pulp and mix with pinch of heeng and apply near naval it give relief from constipation and help in motion.

Ankle pain:Take aloe vera pulp and make it soft and sprinkle turmeric powder on the pulp. Keep it on pan and heat slowly and turmeric powder will start boiling. Then remove it from heat and let it cool down to temperature on which it can be applied on skin by putting it on cotton or cloth without burning the skin. Keep till you feel comfortable. After a while procedure can be repeated.

Cosmetic Properties While Applied On Skin & Hair

1. It is a great conditioner for the damaged hair. Mix Aloe vera gel and lemon juice. Apply this mixture on your hair after shampooing it. Leave this for 4-5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with water.
2. Apply aloe gel if your skin is oily as it prevents formation of pimples and acne
3. Scarring and scratch marks are some of the signs of aging which can be prevented by the antioxidants present in this plant.
4. The gel of the plant should be rubbed on the scalp for 30 minutes and rinsed well thereafter, in order to naturally treat dry 
   hair and dandruff.
5. Aloe vera stimulates the production of collagen and elastin that prevents aging of the skin.
6. Aloe vera is used in soaps, shampoos, creams and lotions for beauty purposes.
7. Aloe vera gel lightens the dark spots on the face and reduces the intensity of pigmentation.
8. When applied topically, the gel acts as best moisturizer, removes dead skin cells and rejuvenates the skin.
9. It hastens the skin repair and hydrates your skin resulting in healthy and glowing skin.

Allergies and Side Effects

In Some people it can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation. Prolonged use has been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels).

It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in some people. Allergic reactions are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a small area first to test for possible allergic reaction.