Aloe vera, a plant that was called the plant of immortality in ancient Egypt, is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Aloe vera is rich in nutrients and active plant ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the health of the human body. Although there are about 200 species of this plant in the world, only four species have medicinal properties, and these are:
• Aloe ferro
• Aloe saponaria
• Aloe perrvi
• Aloe arborensis
Thanks to its numerous medicinal properties, this plant is important in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recent research has shown that daily consumption of aloe vera juice improves the health of the whole organism.
Aloe vera juice as a medicine
Thanks to the healing properties of aloe vera, the juice of this plant significantly helps control blood sugar. In addition, it contributes to strengthening the body’s resistance and immunity, and acts as a natural skin care product. Aloe vera juice contains over 200 nutrients and is rich in vitamins and minerals:
• calcium, copper and sodium
• magnesium, potassium and zinc
• vitamins C, B and E and folic acid.
Aloe vera juice is especially rich in vitamin C. About 220 milliliters of aloe vera juice contains 9 grams of vitamin C. It is very important for the general health of the body, healthy immune function and collagen synthesis. Experts from the medical portal Medical News Today state that aloe vera juice:
• solves digestive problems such as constipation
• keeps the body hydrated
• regulates blood sugar levels
• has an anti-inflammatory effect, especially on the oral cavity
• has a beneficial effect on skin health
• supports immunity
Aloe vera gel is used for burns and scars, mosquito bites and other insects, which is especially useful in the summer months.
How to drink aloe vera juice?
Aloe vera is most often consumed in the form of juice. It is recommended to consume juice in the morning or 2-3 hours before going to bed. You can also drink aloe vera juice 20-30 minutes before meals so that the body can use all the vitamins and minerals before consuming food. The juice can be included as a dietary supplement, and in addition naturally helps in the fight against infections and diseases.
How to make aloe vera juice?
Aloe vera juice is very easy to prepare, which means that you will not have any problems if you want to consume it every day. The recipe is as follows:
1. Cut and wash one aloe vera leaf.
2. Then cut the leaf in half so that you can use a spoon to separate the gel from the inside of the leaf.
3. After separating the gel, put it in a blender and mix well.
4. Put two small tablespoons of gel in one cup of water.
5. You can put the rest of the gel from the blender in a jar and keep it in the fridge for a maximum of a week. Before using aloe vera juice for medicinal purposes, be sure to consult a doctor first.
Aloe vera juice – side effects
Although there are not many reported adverse side effects after consuming aloe vera juice, scientists still urge caution when it comes to the amount of daily consumption. Since aloe vera juice has a detoxifying effect, it is not good to consume more than two tablespoons of aloe vera gel a day. Excessive consumption of aloe vera juice could result in digestive problems.
Also, a study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found that consumption of aloe vera leaf extract can result in an increasing incidence of tumors in rats. Although such research has not been conducted in humans, scientists believe that anthraquinone aloin could potentially be carcinogenic. It is recommended that you check the concentration of aloe vera juice before consuming it. Likewise, pregnant and lactating women should not consume aloe vera juice, and all those who take certain medications daily should consult a doctor before consuming the juice.
