What is the aloe vera plant and three benefits

What is Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a succulent plant used in alternative medicine. With a total of 420 various plant species of Aloe vera, it has been popular in Indian medicine for the treatment of many conditions. For centuries, the plant has gained immense popularity for its beauty, health, skin care, and medicinal properties.

The name aloe vera was derived from the Arabic word "Alloeh", meaning a "shining bitter substance" and vera came from the Latin word "vera", meaning "true". For years, aloe vera has been widely used in several cultures – Egypt, Greece, Mexico, India, China, and Japan. The plant belongs to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family that thrives in dry regions in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa.

 

What's Inside Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera contains many vitamins, minerals, and other active ingredients that give it many health benefits. Each aloe vera leaf has three main layers. There is an inner gel containing 99% water, and the remaining part made of amino acids, glucomannans, sterols, lipids, and vitamins. The middle layer is made of latex, which is a yellow sap containing glycosides and anthraquinones. Lastly, the outer layer is composed of 15 to 20 cells dubbed as rind. It works by protecting the inner part of the leaf and at the same time, synthesizes proteins and carbohydrates.


Benefits

1. Prevent disease

The aloe vera plant is very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body by destroying them and preventing these cells from deteriorating into diseases such as cancer.


2. Cure acne

Like the previous reference, aloe vera contains various minerals, one of which is zinc. Zinc is often found in many natural vitamins and skin care products to improve blemishes on the skin. Using aloe vera either by rubbing it directly on pimples or by drinking it can help treat acne. Zinc reduces the amount of natural oil, or sebum, that the skin produces and can also help heal the damaged skin around growing pimples. Some studies even suggest that ordering problems are a result of the zinc in the diet.


3. Thicken hair

Most people have seen that aloe vera can help make hair thicker. Aloe vera contains enzymes that prevent dead skin cells from inhibiting hair growth. Alkalization in aloe vera can also be relied on to normalize and even increase the pH level in hair. This is what makes hair growth bigger than before.

 

Afrizal Prasetyanto

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