Natural Skin Care Miracle Aloe VeraAloe Vera has soothed so many singed skins you'd be forgiven for thinking it was created by a benevolent god, concerned about the fate of sunburn victims. Maybe it was... one thing is certain though, it truly is a miracle plant.
What is Aloe Vera?With thick leaves, covered in thorns, Aloe Vera looks like a cactus. In fact, it is a member of the lily family and is related to onion, garlic and asparagus. Aloe Barbadensis Miller, with its bright yellow flowers, is the species of Aloe with the best healing properties.
The use of Aloe Vera dates back thousands of years. Egyptian queens such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti were early converts to natural skin care, believing that bathing in Aloe would enhance and prolong their beauty.
Alexander the Great also used Aloe Vera as a healing solution for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. In early modern medicine, it was used to soothe the skin of patients burned by primitive X-ray machines.
How does Aloe Vera work?Today, Aloe Vera is used in natural skin care products, as a refreshing drink, an after-sun soother and even an ingredient in anti-inflammatory sports gel. Its benefits are due to a combination of a very wide range of constituents including:
• Acemannan
• Vitamin A
• B Vitamins
• Folic acid
• Choline
• Enzymes
• Proteins
• Amino acids
• Fatty acids
• Triglycerides
• Mono and polysaccharides (simple and complex sugars)
When to use Aloe VeraBurns, irritations and abrasions
Aloe Vera gel is a natural skin care treatment for minor skin irritations, abrasions, burns, ulcers and other skin conditions. When applied directly to a wound the anthraquinones found in the gel of the plant have an anesthetic effect, whilst it's medicinal properties fight off bacteria, help dilate capillaries and increase blood flow, besides helping to relieve pain and itching.
Sports strains and sprains
Aloe Vera gel can be applied directly to swollen skin and muscles. The natural anti-inflammatory properties will help to reduce the swelling. Soak a bandage in gel if the area needs a large coverage.
Sun care
Mild, moderate and severe sunburn can be eased by directly applying Aloe Vera gel to the skin. It's anesthetic properties relieve some of the pain, while the gel heals damaged skin and encourages new skin cells to grow.
Aged or damaged skin care
Aloe Vera gel is absorbed almost four times quicker than water and is able to reach some of the deepest tissue in the body. This enables it to deliver nutrients directly into the skin where it is needed most. Used regularly, it improves the appearance of aged or damaged skin by promoting new skin-cell growth.
Natural protection for all skin types
Once natural Aloe Vera gel has dried on the surface of the skin, it provides a protective barrier that helps keep moisture locked in. It's cooling effects reduce acne inflammation and assist in healing, removing redness and soothing dry or angry skin. A natural pH balancer, it gives the skin a smoother appearance and removes dead skin to unclog pores.
Things to look out for
Look out for additives and preservatives when purchasing commercial drinks or skin care products containing Aloe Vera. Also, make sure that you are purchasing a product which contains a high concentration of Aloe Vera - some natural skin care products contain it in such small amounts that they are not effective.
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