The long list of known benefits of aloe vera, and the fact that ancient peoples recognized the benefits of aloe vera and how to use it likely leads to its continued use today. While many sources typically mention common uses for aloe vera, there are lesser-known uses for it.
Learn about three uses for aloe vera, and the potential benefits.
Aloe vera offers benefits for individuals with autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system goes awry, potentially wreaking havoc on major organs, or other parts of the body. While some people likely assume that autoimmune disorders are simply a minor nuisance, the immune system mistakenly thinks that a normal part of the body is a foreign invader, and attacks it. Autoimmune conditions typically result in potentially debilitating symptoms, including death of some individuals with certain autoimmune disorders.
When you know the benefits of aloe vera and how to use it for autoimmune conditions, you potentially experience improvement in your condition.
One study co-author experienced Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT), an autoimmune disorder where some individuals with sub-clinical hypothyroidism (SCH) experience damage or destruction of the normal function of the thyroid gland. The researcher regularly drank aloe vera juice for an unrelated reason, and noticed improvement in her Hashimoto’s condition. She subsequently co-authored a study, consisting of 30 women with a diagnosis of HT-related SCH.
Study group participants drank 50 ml aloe vera juice every morning for nine months. When the study ended, 100 percent of study participants experienced significant improvement in their Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. The 15 untreated women in the control group experienced no significant changes.
Topical aloe vera provides more than skin softening benefits
Aloe vera has been used as a topical agent for its improvements in skin texture, and possible anti-aging properties for centuries. The healing properties of topical aloe vera provide additional health benefits.
A lesser-known use for topical aloe vera is for the treatment of psoriasis. There is no known cure for psoriasis, which often causes severe itching, skin scaling, inflammation, pain from the raw, and cracked, bleeding plaques, and possible infection from scratching.
Dr. Ed Zimney, M.D., reported on the results of study research presented at the 2009 International Congress of Dermatology. Researchers presented information related to 80 study participants, half of whom received a 70 percent aloe vera cream treatment, while the remaining participants received topical triamcinolone, a commonly used steroid cream.
Patients in the aloe vera treatment group experienced a significant reduction in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), compared to patients treated with the topical steroid. Individuals that realize the benefits of aloe vera and how to use it for psoriasis treatment potentially experience improvement in psoriasis symptoms.
Accelerate healing of mouth ulcers with aloe vera
Results of a study demonstrated that aloe vera gel applied topically to mouth ulcers decreased the size of the ulcer. It reduced the associated pain, and the healing time when used as directed by study participants.
Researchers also explained that two-percent aloe vera gel is potentially effective in treating other types of oral lesions.
Aloe vera offers a variety of nutritional, medicinal, and beauty benefits. The aloe vera plant features a multitude of uses in a variety of forms, when you recognize the benefits of aloe vera and how to use it.