Aloe vera is a thick-leafed, succulent plant that grows well indoors and outdoors. According to James Galvin, of DisabledWorld.com, the aloe leaf has four layers, the rind or outer layer, the sap--a bitter fluid layer, the gel, or mucilaginous part of the leaf, and the aloe vera inner gel--a rich source of eight amino acids. Aloe vera plant offers many health benefits including its effects on burns, skin conditions and diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Aloe Vera should be used with the advice and under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner.
Burns
Aloe vera gel contains active compounds that may work to reduce inflammation and pain, and stimulate the growth and rejuvenation of skin. This makes aloe vera gel an effective treatment for minor burns, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Researchers have found that burn patients treated with aloe vera gel healed faster, at approximately nine days sooner than patients who were not treated with aloe vera. Aloe vera gel is a popular ingredient found in skin lotions, skin creams and other cosmetic products.
Skin Conditions
Aloe vera plant gel is an anti-inflammatory that works to relief the symptoms of skin conditions such as psoriasis, ultraviolet-induced erythema or redness of the skin, cold sores and frostbite as well as eczema and pruritis, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Aloe vera also kills bacteria and fungi. In addition, there are reports that in some cases when aloe vera is administered along with chemotherapy treatment, it has shown to benefit patients with metastatic cancers. However more research is needed to substantiate these claims according to MSKCC.
Type 2 Diabetes
Aloe vera may lower blood sugar levels in patients with type-2 diabetes, according to preliminary reports from the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, the MSKCC reports, that researchers reviewed more than 100 trials of herbs and supplements about their effects on lowering blood glucose. Two of these non-randomized trials performed by the same investigators were on aloe vera. These two trials showed that aloe vera reduced blood glucose level, with no side effects after six weeks. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of aloe vera in reducing glucose levels.
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