Aloe vera belongs to the lily family and has been used for quite some time in medicine as well as in alternative medicine in various forms.
Occurrence and cultivation of aloe vera
Aloe vera contains many active ingredients that have a positive effect on the physical as well as mental well-being.
Aloe vera can trap and store a particularly large amount of moisture in its thick, fleshy leaves and therefore does not dry out.
The plant, which is often mistakenly called a cactus due to its appearance, originates from Arabia and is found today mainly in tropical areas. It is also cultivated in the West Indies, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, among other places.
In Western medicine, aloe vera is already a main ingredient of many different products and is used for prevention as well as treatment of various medical conditions and injuries due to its valuable ingredients and properties.
Effect and application
Aloe vera contains many active ingredients that have a positive effect on the physical as well as mental well-being. The most valuable active ingredient of aloe vera is the so-called acemannan. This is produced by the organism itself only until puberty and must be absorbed thereafter to guarantee a good immune defense. This active ingredient found in aloe vera protects against pathogens such as bacteria or viruses and has a positive effect on cell regeneration.
In addition, aloe vera relieves itching and coughing, kills germs, contributes to rapid wound healing and is analgesic. Due to the excellent moisture retention of aloe vera, it can be applied to the skin in the form of gels or creams, as it soothes the skin and, for example, draws the heat that exists in a sunburn out of the skin and cools the affected areas.
In addition, aloe vera is also used in products such as ointments, lotions, lip balms and dietary supplements. Aloe vera can now also be found in various cosmetics, hair care products, shaving gels or face masks. Especially for the care of dry skin and skin prone to redness, the application of aloe vera creams and gels has proven its worth. There are also milk products with aloe vera on the market. However, these do not have any medicinal effect.
Importance for health
The applications of aloe vera in medicine are many. For minor injuries and skin irritations such as cuts, rashes, insect bites, spider bites, sunburn and sun allergy, aloe vera can be used. Gels and creams containing aloe vera soothe and cool the skin and promote wound healing and uncomplicated scarring.
Aloe vera ointments are often prescribed after surgeries as they can speed up the wound healing process. Athletes use aloe vera gels primarily to prevent injuries such as strains, torn muscle fibers, tendonitis or sprains. Existing sports injuries can also be treated with aloe vera preparations. In the case of muscle tension and soreness, aloe vera helps to relax and quickly regenerate the muscles.
Aloe vera in the form of dietary supplements such as juices, tablets or capsules are used for digestive problems. For example, aloe vera products are used as a laxative for acute constipation. Creams containing the ingredient aloe vera moisturize the skin, are anti-inflammatory and make severe itching more bearable. Therefore, these products are recommended for skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis or neurodermatitis, among others. Concomitantly, products containing aloe vera are also used for more complex illnesses such as hepatitis and asthma.
