Aloe
Benefits of Aloe Vera, Aloe Juice and Recipes
Content:
- The use of aloe for various diseases
- The benefits of aloe vera
- Aloe Vera Recipes
- Aloe juice
- Aloe with honey
- Aloe for face and hair
- Aloe injections
- Aloe tincture
- Aloe for acne
- Aloe in gynecology
- Contraindications
Botanical Description of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera often grows up to four meters in height. It has branched, densely leafy, erect stems. Aloe leaves are alternate, up to 40 centimeters long, with rigid cartilaginous teeth at the edges. They differ in the presence of very fleshy and juicy pulp. The flowers are large, orange, six-membered, with thin pedicels, forming a cylindrical multi-flowered raceme about 40 centimeters long. Aloe fruit is a capsule with a lot of seeds.
Growing indoors, aloe usually blooms from February to March. The fruits that appear do not ripen.
The homeland of aloe vera is the islands of Curacao and Barbados, the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The plant is cultivated in Asia and Africa, in the Antilles. In many countries of the world, it is grown as an ornamental garden and home plant.
Collection and harvesting of aloe. Fresh aloe leaves are widely used in both folk and traditional medicine. They are usually harvested as they grow. From the juice in the leaves of the plant, condensed aloe juice, which is called sabur in medicine, is obtained by evaporation. High-quality sabur is completely soluble in 70% alcohol, worse - in water, gasoline and ether, does not dissolve at all in chloroform. The pharmaceutical industry makes a number of preparations from liquid aloe juice, and also produces fresh juice with the addition of a small amount of alcohol.
Fresh aloe juice can be obtained at home. For this, juice is squeezed out of the fleshy lower leaves, which is immediately used for its intended purpose. There is also a known method for preparing aloe in the form of a syrup, which is cooked from the juice of a plant with the addition of sugar and a solution of ferrous chloride.
Aloe Vera Applications
Aloe vera has bactericidal properties and is active against bacteria such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, diphtheria and dysentery bacilli. It is effective for radiation, inflammatory diseases, fresh wounds, accelerating the regeneration process. Aloe acts as an immunomodulator, contributing to the overall health of the body. The active substances of Sabur increase intestinal motility, helping well with atonic and chronic constipation. In small doses, it improves digestion and increases bile secretion.
The antibiotic barbaloin, effective in tuberculosis and skin diseases, was isolated from aloe juice. It is also used in chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, progressive myopia and opacity of the vitreous humor.
The benefits of aloe vera
In the treatment of patients and the preparation of medicines, aloe juice, fresh leaves, extract and sabur (condensed juice) are used. To do this, from a plant that has reached three years of age, in October-November, middle and lower leaves more than 18 cm long are harvested. The leaves contain essential oils, enzymes, anthraglycosides, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, polysaccharides, phytoncides, and salicylic acid.
Sabur, obtained from the leaves of aloe, has a good effect in the treatment of chronic constipation. The plant's fresh liquid sap is also a mild laxative. Preparations made from squeezed juice are recommended for the treatment of gastritis, characterized by a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice, and chronic colitis.
In the treatment of non-healing purulent wounds and various infectious pustular skin diseases, aloe juice is used in the form of irrigation or lotions. The effectiveness of the external use of the juice is explained by its high bactericidal qualities. It has a detrimental effect on a large number of known pathogenic microbes - streptococci, staphylococci, as well as on intestinal, typhoid and dysentery bacillus.
A syrup made from juice with added iron has been successfully used to treat anemia.
Biostimulants found in aloe leaves enhance metabolic processes in tissue cells, promote wound tightening and healing.
Aloe juice preparations are widely used for skin damage with X-rays, to relieve the symptoms of sunburn and some skin diseases.
It is also known to use aloe in asthenic conditions, neuroses, to relieve headaches with an unclear etiology.
High efficiency of the use of aloe for the treatment of bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, chronic gastritis and many other diseases has been noted.
Nowadays, aloe preparations are widely used in ophthalmology in the treatment of eye diseases.
Aloe Vera Recipes
People who are exhausted as a result of serious illnesses, as well as to improve digestion and stimulate appetite, are recommended to use aloe juice in the following form: 150 grams of juice, 250 grams of honey and 350 grams of strong red wine are mixed and infused for about five days. The resulting mixture must be taken at least three times a day before meals, a tablespoon.
Quite often, aloe juice is included in various nutritional mixtures recommended for use when the body is weakened and exhausted as a result of past diseases. For weakened children, you can make one of these nutritional mixes. In half a glass of aloe juice, 500 grams of crushed walnut kernels, 300 grams of honey and squeezed juice of three to four lemons are added. This mixture is taken in a dessert or teaspoon no more than three times a day before meals.
Traditional medicine recommends the use of aloe juice for pulmonary tuberculosis. To prepare the medicine, you need to mix 100 grams of butter, goose fat or lard, 15 grams of plant juice, 100 grams of honey and 100 grams of bitter cocoa powder. The resulting mixture is well kneaded and taken in a tablespoon up to three times a day as an additive to a glass of hot milk.
If you have a runny nose, it is recommended to use aloe juice in the form of drops. Freshly squeezed plant juice should be dripped 2-3 drops into each nostril. Treatment should be continued for about eight days.
Gargling with aloe juice will help with sore throats. To do this, dilute the aloe juice with an equal amount of water, then rinse your throat well. After the procedure, it is recommended to drink one teaspoon of freshly squeezed aloe juice with warm milk.
When pain occurs in the tooth, you can use a very simple way to cure it: a piece of aloe leaf placed in the cavity of the tooth will quickly soothe the pain.
As a laxative, you can use the following recipe, known from traditional medicine: 150 grams of aloe leaves with cut thorns are well crushed, poured with 300 grams of warmed, but not boiled honey. The mixture should be infused for a day, after which it must be heated and filtered. This medicine is taken a teaspoon in the morning, one hour before meals.
It is known to use aloe juice in the event of herpes. To remove the rashes, they must be lubricated with juice from the leaves of the plant five times a day. It is recommended to break off a fresh, fresh aloe leaf before each lubrication.
An ointment made from aloe juice has a healing effect. It is commonly used to heal wounds, ulcers and fistulas. A bandage can be applied if necessary. The ointment is prepared as follows: honey and aloe juice are mixed in equal amounts, add one tablespoon of pure alcohol to a glass of the mixture. Then the mixture must be mixed well. It is recommended to store the ointment in the refrigerator. When using it, one must take into account the possibility of individual intolerance to aloe juice by the patient.
Aloe juice
If you cut the leaves of aloe, then a watery liquid flows out of them, very bitter in taste. This is the sap of the plant, which is used in the manufacture of medicines. The juice is located in the secretory cells surrounding the sieve portion of the bundle. If viewed in section, then this layer of cells is located in the form of a crescent. After collecting the leaves, they are cut and crushed well to collect the juice. The liquid is significantly evaporated and poured into special forms, where it solidifies.
This condensed aloe juice is called "sabur". It helps with chronic constipation, enhances the secretion of the glands of the esophagus, removes bile, improves digestion. It is used in very small doses, otherwise it can cause poisoning. You should not use it during pregnancy, cystitis, menstruation. For chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, after dysentery, aloe juice is taken three times a day, half an hour before meals, 1 teaspoon.
For tuberculosis, a mixture of aloe juice, cuff juice, butter, honey and cocoa, taken one tablespoon before lunch and dinner, is effective. The medicine can be taken with a glass of hot milk. Outwardly, aloe juice is used in the form of lotions in the treatment of trophic ulcers, purulent wounds, boils, abscesses, burns. With tuberculosis of the skin, eczema and radiation dermatitis of the head, compresses with juice are prescribed.
Aloe juice is easy to make at home. For this, the leaves of a three to four year old plant are kept in a dark place at a temperature of 4–8 ° C (in the refrigerator) for 12 days. Then they are washed in cold boiled water, crushed, squeezed through a thick layer of gauze and boiled for three minutes in a water bath. The juice quickly loses its quality, so you need to use it immediately.
A mixture of fresh juice: for radiation injuries, gastric ulcer, bronchial asthma, gastritis, laryngitis, dysentery, you should take 1/2 teaspoon of aloe juice and honey, diluted in a glass of warm milk. The medicine should be taken three times a day, half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks with a break of two weeks.
[Video] How to properly prepare aloe with honey, and how to take:
Aloe with honey
Honey is one of the main components of useful medicines made from aloe juice. In combination with honey, aloe enhances its effect. Due to the fact that such a medicine is very active, you can use it for no more than one month, with a cold, five days are enough for a complete recovery.
Aloe in combination with honey is useful for baldness, hair loss and dandruff. Aloe and honey can be used to make a hair mask.
To maintain immunity, the following drugs should be taken:
Infusion of aloe: 500 g of aloe leaves and 500 g of walnut need to be ground through a meat grinder, pour 1.5 cups of honey, let it brew in a warm dark place for three days., and then consume one tablespoon three times a day after meals.
Mixture: three tablespoons of aloe juice, 100 g of butter, 5 tablespoons of cocoa and a third of a glass of bee honey must be mixed well. Before use, all components should be mixed well with 200 g of warm milk and drunk a little three times a day.
For pulmonary diseases, colds, bronchitis, the following composition helps:
Aloe tincture: 350 g of crushed aloe leaves, 100 g of alcohol and 750 g of red wine must be mixed in a glass or enamel bowl. It is recommended to store the product in a cool, dark place. Adults take 1-2 tablespoons 20 minutes before meals, children after five years - 1 teaspoon.
Aloe honey mask is useful for the face, it suits any skin type. When using aloe vera medicines, the recommendations for their use should be strictly followed.
Aloe extract
Aloe extract is a clear liquid of light yellow or reddish yellow color, bitter in taste. It is produced in ampoules for injection, in the form of a solution for internal use, as well as juices, tablets, syrups. In liquid form, the extract should be taken 5 ml three times a day half an hour before meals. Aloe extract is drunk for anorexia and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, 5-10 ml twice a day half an hour before meals.
Tablets are taken 1 pc. three times a day 15-20 minutes before meals. Subcutaneous injections are prescribed: for children under 5 years old - 0.2-0.3 ml, after 5 years - 0.5 ml, for adults - 1 ml. When using drugs, allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, diarrhea are possible.
Aloe for face
Aloe vera is used with great success in cosmetology. Masks and creams with aloe are recommended for sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. Cosmetics containing aloe vera enrich the skin with essential nutrients, protect it from environmental influences, and lighten in the presence of age spots.
Regular use of aloe-based face masks and creams has an amazing effect, as they help with pustular rashes, inflammation, eczema and psoriasis.
Mask for dry skin: aloe juice, honey, glycerin and oatmeal must be mixed in clean water, beat with a blender, leave for 15 minutes, apply in a thick layer on dry, cleansed skin. You can apply the mask every other day, keep it for about half an hour.
Mask for aging skin: mix a tablespoon of aloe juice and 2 tablespoons of honey. It is recommended to apply the mixture in a thick layer on cleansed skin and keep for 40 minutes. The mask smoothes wrinkles and deeply moisturizes the skin.
Aloe for hair
Aloe has a beneficial effect on the scalp, helps with problems such as dandruff, hair loss, baldness. And the plant activates and nourishes hair follicles, heals split ends. Hair becomes thick, strong and shiny. Aloe vera juice is used for treatment and hair care. It is rubbed into the scalp daily. After improving the condition of the hair, the juice can be applied 1-2 times a week. The course of treatment is 2-3 months. For oily hair, it is useful to rub in aloe juice with vodka 1-2 hours before washing your hair every other day.
Mask for hair volume and shine: one part of aloe juice, one part of castor oil and one part of honey must be mixed, applied to damp hair for a while, then thoroughly rinsed with shampoo.
Aloe injections
Aloe injections improve blood circulation and restore tissues, they are prescribed for eye diseases, bronchial asthma and ulceration of the digestive system. Injections can be administered intramuscularly and subcutaneously. It is recommended to inject aloe subcutaneously into the abdomen or upper arm, intramuscularly into the buttock or thigh. In this case, repeated injections should not fall into the previous injection sites.
The dosage of the drug is selected taking into account the age of the patient, his diseases and the characteristics of the body. For adults it is 1 ml no more than 3-4 times a day, for children under the age of five - 0.2–0.3 ml per day, over five years - 0.5 ml.
It is forbidden to give injections with aloe extract to pregnant women and people suffering from diseases of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys or high blood pressure. Only the attending physician should prescribe injections.
Aloe in the nose
If a cold or runny nose begins, you can drip 5 drops of aloe extract into each nostril three times a day. Thanks to this, the swelling of the nasal mucosa decreases, breathing becomes free. Disease-causing bacteria and viruses, including influenza, are destroyed, thus disinfecting the mucous membrane. If you have sensitivity to the components that make up aloe juice, it is not recommended to use it.
Aloe leaves
The most valuable thing about aloe is the fleshy juicy leaves filled with bitter yellowish juice. They can be collected for medical use at any time of the year. But you just need to know which leaves are suitable. The lower leaves collected from a plant at least three years old are considered healing. They usually have dry ends. It is best to break off the leaves from the stem.
It is not worth storing raw materials outdoors for more than three to four hours, as most of the useful properties are lost. So that the leaves do not dry out, you need to wrap them in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. So they will retain their medicinal properties for a long time. The leaves can also be dried by laying them on a layer of paper and covering them with a cloth. You can store finished raw materials for two years.
Aloe tincture
For tincture of aloe, the leaves and stems of the plant are used. Tinctures are liquid alcoholic or vodka solutions prepared on the basis of medicinal plants. They are prepared with 40-70-degree alcohol, which is the best basis for herbal infusions, as it enhances their healing properties. Tincture is used to stimulate the body's defense systems, it increases appetite, improves digestion.
Aloe tincture recipe. You should cut off the lower leaves of aloe, wrap in dark paper and put in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, then grind the leaves, pour vodka or 70% alcohol solution in a ratio of 1: 5. It takes at least ten days to insist the product in a cool dark place, in a closed container. It is recommended to take the tincture one teaspoon half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
Aloe for acne
The effectiveness of aloe juice for acne has been known for a long time. It has a cleansing, healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing effect. Thanks to this medicinal plant, it is possible to prevent the scars, blemishes and scars that often form after acne. The easiest way to get rid of skin inflammation is to regularly wipe your face with a small piece of aloe - where the flesh is cut. Before that, the skin must be cleaned.
Particular attention should be paid to problem areas of the skin. Professional cosmetologists often use aloe as an effective facial skin care product.
Acne face mask: chop freshly cut aloe leaves, add protein and run through a blender to make a gruel, then add a couple of drops of lemon juice. The mask should be applied in three layers and kept for 30 minutes, then rinsed with warm water.
Anti-inflammatory mask: you need to mix freshly squeezed aloe juice with one teaspoon of white or blue clay, stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained and apply evenly on the face, without talking or making any facial movements. It is recommended to keep the mask for 15 minutes, then it is washed off with cool water.
Lotions for skin inflammation: finely chopped aloe leaves must be poured with water and insisted for 1 hour, then boiled for two minutes, cooled, filtered. The resulting liquid is used in the form of lotions.
Aloe in gynecology
In gynecology, aloe is used for cervical erosion by inserting tampons moistened with juice into the vagina for 2-3 hours. In the same way, they are treated with an emulsion containing aloe juice. The juice is taken one tablespoon three times a day after meals as a laxative for constipation in pregnant women, for chronic dysplasia in menopause and for dysplasia of the cervix. Aloe tincture is taken for acute inflammation of the vestibule of the vagina, 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Tincture: aloe leaves should be crushed and mixed with honey until smooth. Separately, you need to steam dry leaves and flowers of St. John's wort, boil them in a water bath for 3-4 minutes, strain, mix aloe with honey with the cooled decoction of St. John's wort, pour over with wine and store in a dark cool place. You can use the composition after 10 days. It is recommended to take it two tablespoons a day on an empty stomach. The course should be continued for 14 days.
Remedy for infertility: add goose fat and sea buckthorn oil to the crushed aloe leaves, mix, pour into a warm dish and put in a dark cool place for seven days. For use, stir one tablespoon of the mixture in a glass of hot milk and take it three times a day.
Aloe tree
This evergreen perennial tropical plant reaches a height of 4-10 m. The leaves are fleshy, large, sharp, bluish-green or dove-gray, up to 60 cm long. There are thorns along the edges of the leaves. The root is highly branched. The flowers are bell-shaped, pale orange or bright red in color, collected in inflorescences, growing on a long stalk. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule; seeds are numerous, grayish-black, triangular. Treelike aloe blooms most often in late winter and early spring. Propagated by cuttings.
The native land of the aloe tree is South Africa. In our area, it grows in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Aloe has long been domesticated, it is bred as an indoor flower. However, in indoor conditions this plant rarely blooms, although with good care it can bloom every year. Aloe grows very quickly, reaching a height of 100 cm. Aloe leaves and juice have medicinal properties.
The leaves and stems contain various vitamins, resinous substances, anthraglycosides, and a small amount of enzymes. Leaves are harvested in the autumn-winter period, it is advisable not to water for 1-2 weeks before harvesting aloe.
Aloe vera
This plant is native to the tropics of Africa, therefore it loves sunlight very much. In summer, it grows well outdoors in the fresh air. It can be watered infrequently, as the leaves are able to retain moisture for several days. In winter, aloe should be watered with water at room temperature, and it is necessary to both water from the top and pour water into the pan. But it is important not to overdo it: when the soil is waterlogged, the root system rots. In winter, the plant is best kept in a room with a temperature of + 8–10 ° C.
Both aloe vera and aloe vera are medicinal plants with the same chemical composition, used in folk and traditional medicine. The juice is used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, treating eye diseases and inflammatory processes. The plant is also widely used in cosmetology.
Contraindications to using aloe vera
Aloe vera preparations are contraindicated in diseases of the liver and gallbladder, in cystitis, hemorrhoids, in the early stages of pregnancy, as well as in menstrual cycles.
To avoid insomnia, aloe juice should be taken 2-4 hours before bedtime. With prolonged use of drugs, minerals are excreted from the body, especially potassium, which disrupts water-salt metabolism.
For children under 12 years old, a doctor's consultation is required about taking aloe.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
