The aloe (Aloe vera) plant's fleshy leaves contain a gel famous for its medicinal powers, as well as an inner lining with promising therapeutic properties. To use aloe gel from a live plant, simply break off a leaf, slit it lengthwise and squeeze out the clear gel. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) cautions against applying the gel to an open wound or relying on it to treat severe burns. Don't take the gel or leaf lining internally; use commercially prepared aloe supplements for internal use.
Burn Relief
Aloe's reputation comes from its power to soothe minor burns. For this reason, many people choose to grow the plant in the kitchen, where it serves as a living first aid kit for cooking burns. Aloe also eases the pain of sunburn and bug bites. The plant's healing abilities come from the gel within its leaves, which contain a beneficial combination of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The former is an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substance, while the latter promotes skin repair. Use a commercially-prepared lotion containing aloe, or apply the gel from your own plant directly to burns or sun-damaged skin.
Chronic Skin Condition Treatment
Consider applying aloe gel or aloe lotion to psoriasis, genital herpes and other serious skin problems. UMMC points to research showing the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gel to be more effective than a placebo or even 1 percent hydrocortisone cream in treating these conditions. After consulting a physician, use either aloe vera gel from a houseplant or a commercially prepared aloe product, which may contain other beneficial ingredients specific to your skin condition.
Laxative
Manufacturers use a substance taken from the aloe's inner leaves, known as aloe latex, to make herbal laxatives. The Mayo Clinic rates the likely effectiveness of these aloe supplements a "B," meaning that good scientific evidence exists to support using aloe latex to treat constipation. "Although few studies have been conducted to assess this effect of aloe in humans, the laxative properties of aloe components such as aloin are well supported by scientific evidence," the Mayo Clinic concludes. Consult your doctor before purchasing an aloe supplement.
Beauty Aid
Use aloe gel, or products containing aloe, to nourish and sooth dry or chapped skin on the body or face. It also soothes itching, flaking scalps. The 200 active substances found in aloe vera gel include zinc and vitamins B, C and E, according to Northwestern Health Sciences University. Aloe's anti-inflammatory properties prove especially useful for aging skin prone to rosacea and sun damage, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For homemade treatments, herbalist Jeanne Rose recommends adding 1 ounce of aloe gel to every 3 ounces shampoo, moisturizer or body cream. To make your own homemade soap, Rose suggests adding up to ½-cup of aloe gel for every 1 cup of grated, melted store-bought or homemade soap.
Air Purifier
Of the houseplants studied by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in a 1989 study, the only succulent found to be an effective cleaner of indoor air toxins was aloe vera. The NASA study examined a range of houseplants to determine which might prove effective in fighting "sick building syndrome" due to the presence of the dangerous chemicals benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene found in building materials and household cleansers.
Researchers found aloe especially effective against formaldehyde. Other indoor plants found to be useful air purifiers include spider plants, chrysanthemums, date palms and English ivy. A famously unfussy houseplant, aloe vera thrives in just about any room in the house.
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