It’s not often that you think of raiding your rockery or the desert for a solution to inflammation, heart burn, and ulcers, but the truth is that the succulent plant, Aloe Vera, offers a host of benefits that are quite astounding. Aloe Vera has been part of traditional medicine since the first century, and many cosmetic companies regularly rely on the benefits of Aloe Vera to keep our skin looking healthy, young, and gorgeous. Although Aloe Vera is most well-known for skin benefits, there are other health benefits that this desert succulent offers in terms of supporting health. Aloe Vera:

• Contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation
• May be beneficial for burn wounds
• Contains ingredients that may help to support wound healing
• May play a role in reducing your risk of developing diabetes
• Contains ingredients that can help to treat ulcers

Aloe Vera as an Anti-Inflammatory

You can’t help but read about inflammation, lately. Inflammation isn’t new, but the increase in inflammation is a concern for many. Inflammation has been identified as an underlying cause of arthritis, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, cancer, and many of the other diseases that are currently on the rise. Your body produces inflammation in response to the damage caused by environmental toxins, stress, and increases in the free radicals in your body. Living in our modern world means we are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and toxins, so it shouldn’t be surprising that inflammation and the levels of inflammation are increasing. Aloe Vera contains various antioxidants and other compounds that may help to reduce inflammation by reducing free radicals.

Aloe Vera for Burn injuries

Burn injuries present a number of problems in terms of treating the affected area. The damage caused by the burn needs to be taken into account, because burns are particularly susceptible to further infection and injury. From sunburn to more serious burn injuries, Aloe Vera has been used to treat burns for centuries. Studies show that Aloe Vera can be a very effective alternative for treating burn wounds.

Wound Healing

Aloe Vera is not only good for burn injuries, but also offers benefits in terms of general wound healing. When you are injured, the body produces inflammation at the site of the injury to start the healing process. Part of the healing process involves the formation of new tissue to cover the wound. One study on using Aloe Vera for wounds found that Aloe Vera increased wound contraction – thereby helping to close the wound site. It also increased the amount of new tissue formed, and, at the same time, reduced the amount of scar tissue that formed.

Aloe Vera in Prediabetes

Although most people tend to think of Aloe Vera as limited to topical applications, Aloe Vera can be taken internally, too. Aloe Vera contains a number of different active ingredients that may be beneficial, in terms of blood sugar regulation and in the regulation of lipid levels in the body. Blood sugar levels play a pivotal role in the development of diabetes. High blood sugar levels are the first warning sign of diabetes, and it is vital to regulate these levels to avoid the risk of developing diabetes. Triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels often accompany high blood sugar levels, and they are also considered as risk factors in prediabetes. In a study done on Aloe Vera extract, 72 prediabetes patients were given either Aloe Vera extract or a placebo. The group that received the Aloe Vera extract showed an improvement in blood sugar regulation in 4 weeks, and an improvement in lipid profiles after 8 weeks. Taking the Aloe Vera extract, therefore, improves blood glucose levels, as well as improves cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Aloe Vera and Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are not only painful, and the symptoms often debilitating, but the consequences of gastric ulcers can even be life threatening if left untreated. One of the major causes of gastric ulcers is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Studies have indicated that the presence of these bacteria in the stomach is linked to the development and formation of gastric ulcers. It follows that ingredients that can remove these bacteria can be beneficial for the prevention or treatment of gastric ulcers. Aloe Vera has been used as a digestive aid for centuries, and it was often used to help relieve symptoms like constipation. In a study on Aloe Vera extract, researchers showed that Aloe Vera may also have antibacterial properties that can help to reduce the Helicobacter pylori that occur in the gastrointestinal environment.

Aloe Vera is Nature’s Pharmacy in the Desert

The above health benefits of Aloe Vera are by no means all of the health benefits of this amazing plant. Be sure to also learn about how you can benefit from Aloe Vera via supplements.