Aloe Vera: Introduction, Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More

Many people think of aloe vera as a fix-it solution for skin. Aloe is commonly used to soothe skin after sun exposure, as well as for a host of skin concerns. The article below describes how aloe is commonly used, its nutritional values, and other essential health benefits, including for immune support. The article will also go over any potential side effects from aloe and how it would affect you.

Where Does Aloe Come from?

Aloe is grown in various regions of the southwestern US, the Bahamas, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and the West Indies. It can also be grown in a pot on the windowsill or in the front yard landscape of a desert garden.  Aloe Vera is viable anywhere the temperature stays above freezing.

Aloe Vera is part of the vast succulent family. This family of plants has intricate root systems, although shallow, which permit for absorbing water quickly. Plus, a succulent can store water for long periods, making them easy to care for plants.

 

There are two parts to an aloe plant, the outer rind of the leaf, and the inner gel. The gel is what most people think of when they think of Aloe. The gel inside is largely clear to a slightly milky color and odorless at the innermost section of the leaf. The outer rind has a layer just inside it, but before you reach the gel that is called Aloin, which seeps from the leaf when the leaf is cut like a tree sap and is part of the plant's natural defense mechanism.

The color of the Aloin latex is yellow and tastes bitter. If you’re ingesting aloe, you want to consume the gel, which is safe for human consumption and quite nutritious. The latex part of the plant has laxative properties and can cause digestive irritation if consumed in large quantities.

The Nutritional Value of Aloe

Aloe Vera has a lot of nutritional value that can be derived from it, which can help to support a strong immune system and help maintain your health. It has over 200 active components with naturally occurring vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. So, what is inside the aloe gel from inner leaf? Below is a list:

Vitamins included in Aloe Vera are A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12. The vitamins A, C, and E are excellent antioxidants and help fend off free radicals. Maintaining a diet high in antioxidants is commonly associated with a whole host of health benefits, such as heart health.  While Aloe Vera alone is not a source of any of these items at a level to constitute a vitamin supplement, it is certainly packed with nutrients and is a healthy part of a balanced diet.

 

Vitamin A is essential for a strong immune system and bone growth. Vitamin A helps support a healthy immune response.

Vitamin C is said to also support a robust immune response. Vitamin C is commonly associated with a strong immune system.

Vitamin E can help support heart health and a strong immune system.

B1 vitamin:B1 is also known as thiamine. It helps support digestion and contributes to a healthy immune and nervous system.

B2 Vitamin: B2 is also called riboflavin, and its job is to work as an antioxidant. This vitamin provides your body with energy by creating fuel from food. It is an essential element in helping maintain a strong nervous system.

B3 vitamin: B3 is known as niacin, is used to support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which can help maintain brain function. It is also used to cleanse your body of toxins and helps to promote good digestion.

B6: B6 is essential to many of your body’s systems. This includes as a key component in maintaining cardiovascular, immune, and digestive health. This vitamin is also connected to the dopamine and serotonin process.

B12: B12 is necessary for creating DNA and is a component of healthy blood cells.

 

Other Key Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe helps maintain digestive health by supporting the mucosal tissues in your gut. It can also help with maintaining balanced stomach acidity and supporting overall digestive comfort. Aloe can help support the immune system and overall gut health. It can also help maintain healthy cholesterol and support natural joint comfort.

Side effects of Aloe Vera

As with anything you ingest, aloe should be taken with caution if mixing with prescription medicines. It possibly could decrease your body’s blood clotting capabilities, so consult with a medical professional if you are planning to go into surgery.

Be sure to choose the Aloe Vera Products that are made by a reputable company that grows their own Organic Aloe, like AloeCure. You want to be sure that the product you’re buying is extracted and processed to not reduce Aloe Vera's beneficial properties.