Aloe has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, and skin care properties. Topical or external applications often use aloe-derived products, including aloe vera cream, aloe vera mucilage, aloe vera gel, etc. The fresh stem of aloe vera and aloe vera juice are also used as an adjunct treatment for the skin. (See ref. N ° 2)
Effective in preserving skin circulation after injury. Accelerates wound healing and increases resistance to breakage of resulting scar tissue. It stimulates fibroblasts, which produce collagen and elastin fibers. (See ref. N ° 2)
Benefits of using Aloe Vera on skin
Aloe vera has cohesive effects on superficial scaly epidermal cells by gluing them together to soften the skin (West 2003). This plant includes healing properties, anti-inflammatory activity, effects on the immune system, moisturizing and anti-aging effects, and antiseptic effects (Surjushe 2008). Therefore, aloe may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis. (See ref. N ° 2)
Aloe Vera Gel has a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin. After the administration of aloe vera gel, an antioxidant protein, metallothionein, is generated in the skin, which removes hydroxyl radicals and prevents the suppression of enzymes in the skin. It reduces the production and release of skin keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive cytokines, such as interleukin, and thus prevents UV-induced suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity. (See ref. N°1)
Aloe Vera leaf and its Layers
- An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.
- The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides.
- The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem). (See ref. N°1).
Aloe Vera properties
Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B, C and E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc and mannose phosphate, the latter can promote tissue growth, provide healing and help strengthen immunity. (See ref. N ° 3).
- Healing.
- Anti-wrinkle.
- Fight acne.
- Perfect for oily and combination skin.
How to prepare an Aloe Vera recipe for skin?
Ingredients:
- 2 Alore Vera Leaves (the big ones).
Procedure:
- Using a knife take off the shell of the Aloe leaves and extract the Aloe Vera crystals.
- Blend the crystals.
- Take and use ice cube molds and pour the mixture of Aloe Vera crystals blended.
- Take the ice cube molds into the freezer.
- Once the ice cube are frozen, Apply the necessary ice cube all over the face only at night.
- This application is recommended to do it 3 times a week.
How Aloe Vera is cultivated?
- Cut diagonally a Sábila´s daughter of approximately 10 cm.
- Leave the Sábila´s daughter cutted in a warm place so that the wound heals and forms a thin layer.
- Place a stone base in the pot and fill the rest with soil and moisten.
- Fit three quarters of the Sábila´s daughter cutted with the cut part to the ground.
- Place the plant in a warm place.
- Keep the soil moist for up to 4 weeks.
- Once Sábila´s daughter has roots, water the pot every two days.
