The Benefits Of Aloe Vera Plants

Aloe vera, a medicinal herb native to Africa, was one of the most widely prescribed medicines of the 18th and 19th centuries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Today, the plant remains popular for treating a variety of conditions. Many people keep an aloe vera plant around the house and break off a leaf to harvest the gel inside as needed. Commercially available in creams, lotions and ointments, aloe vera is commonly included in over-the-counter cosmetics and beauty products. Purchase aloe in the form of gel, juice, capsules or ointments, but always talk to your doctor before self-treating with aloe or any other herb.

Burns

Aloe gel, a common remedy for minor burns and wounds, contains compounds known as known as glycoproteins and polysaccharides that reduce pain and inflammation, and promote the growth of healthy skin cells. A systematic review published in the September 2007 edition of "Burns", the journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries, examined the use of aloe for burn wounds. Researchers found that burn wounds treated with aloe vera healed 8.79 days faster than untreated burns. Aloe vera is best used for minor burns, sunburns and skin irritations. The plant should never be used to treat open wounds, however, as this may increase the risk of infection.

Skin Conditions

A traditional remedy for skin problems, aloe vera may provide some benefit for sufferers of inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis. A study published in the February 2010 edition of the "Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology" found that aloe vera worked as well as triamcinolone acetonide, a common drug treatment for the condition, for treating mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Numerous over-the-counter skin creams and products contain aloe vera for its reported softening, cleansing, moisturizing, anti-aging and revitalizing properties.

Digestive Problems

Juice made from aloe vera gel is commonly taken internally for treating various inflammatory digestive problems including heartburn, peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis. One study, published in the April 2004 edition of "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics," found that patients taking 100 ml of aloe gel orally twice a day for four weeks experienced significant improvement in symptoms. Researchers noted that aloe produced a clinical response more often than placebo and reduced the disease activity. Further research of the effectiveness of aloe vera in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease is required, however.

Other Benefits

Herbalists and healers have used aloe vera to treat a wide variety of medical conditions for hundreds of years. Although science has only just begun to explore the benefits of the plant, anecdotal evidence suggests aloe may be beneficial for treating constipation, canker sores, genital herpes, diabetes and cancer. While generally considered safe for external and internal use, you should always consult a physician before using aloe vera to treat any condition, especially when the plant's effectiveness hasn't been scientifically proven.