Sometimes aloe is called a home doctor, and there is no exaggeration in this phrase. If you have aloe in your home, your home first aid kit will open much less frequently. The homeland of the plant is South Africa, under natural conditions aloe grows up to 3 m. In the harsh domestic climate, at home, the height rarely exceeds 0.5 m, and the plant does not bloom often, which is why it was named agave.
A bit of history
aloeThe beneficial properties of aloe were no secret to our distant ancestors. More than three millennia ago, the Egyptians used aloe for the preparation of balms, rubbing and cosmetics. They say that it was because of the aloe plantations that Alexander the Great went on a campaign to the island of Socotra, and after the conquest of the island, the victors healed their wounds with compresses from the sap of the plant.
What is the main secret of aloe?
Among all the varieties of aloe (and there are more than 300 of them), the most healing are aloe vera and aloe tree. The main wealth of plants is phytoncides, natural antibiotics that successfully fight inflammatory processes and viral diseases. Scientists investigated the chemical composition of aloe juice, and found that the miraculous plant has bactericidal, anti-allergenic, cleansing, regenerating, immunomodulatory, regenerating and antispasmodic effects.
Such a wide range of therapeutic effects is not surprising. Indeed, aloe juice contains:
trace elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium );
mineral salts;
vitamins (C, B, E, A);
enzymes, flavonoids;
catechin, tannins;
polysaccharides and glycoproteins.
Aloe in cosmetology
In cosmetics, aloe has long been used as a moisturizing, softening and soothing ingredient. There is interesting evidence of the successful use of aloe for certain chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Aloin, contained in the leaves of the plant, gives the skin freshness and elasticity, and also neutralizes the harmful effects of sunlight. The aloe leaf pulp contains polysaccharides that bind water, preventing it from evaporating. When a cosmetic product is applied, polysaccharides form a semi-permeable film that has a moisturizing effect, softens and nourishes the skin.
In addition, polysaccharides act on macrophages - the so-called cells of nonspecific immunity, which are responsible for the restoration of damaged epidermis. This valuable collagen renewal property is widely used in cosmetics for aging skin.
There are contraindications for those who have undergone chemical peels or dermabrasion. In this case, you should refrain from using aloe in order to avoid the occurrence of acute dermatitis.
Aloe in medicine
The useful properties of the plant are so diverse that preparations with aloe juice are used in many areas:
Surgery;
Dentistry,
Gynecology;
Dermacology,
Ophthalmology, etc.
The gel, isolated from the leaves of aloe, accelerates the healing of skin lesions, restores the gastric mucosa and duodenum after an ulcer. Aloe juice has an analgesic and antimicrobial effect, has pronounced anti-burn properties. Due to the bacteriostatic effect, aloe has a detrimental effect on staphylococci, streptococci and fungi.
Small doses of aloe juice increase appetite and improve digestion, large doses improve intestinal motility and have a laxative effect. Aloe juice contains the substance aloe-emodin, which prevents the development of malignant formations and stimulates the growth of healthy cells.
To increase immunity, the combination of aloe with honey is extremely useful , and aloe juice is also an effective remedy for depleting the body, diseases of the mucous membranes. Perfect juice and respiratory diseases: drugs with aloe buried in the nose and used for rinsing the throat .
The plant has unique properties: the structure of its useful components is such that they are easily absorbed by the body both when applied externally and when taken internally.
