If you’ve ever tasted aloe vera, you would know that it is the grandfather of Buckley’s Cough Syrup. Affectionately known as “aloes”, it is extremely bitter, slimy and can make you wish that you had never tasted it years after the fact. But this plant has a wide range of uses and benefits which have made it one of the best all-natural wellness products in the world.
On an episode of the Barbadian programme Green Living hosted by Cassandra Crawford, a feature was done on aloe vera. Her guest, David, who is an educated agriculturist, was discussing the uses and benefits of the aloe vera plant. He noted that the type of aloe grown here in Barbados was one of the most potent in the world.
The Aloe Vera Plant
The aloe vera plant is truly an amazing plant with a myriad of benefits. Did you know that the majority of the pharmaceutical products on the market contain pure aloe vera or an aloe vera based ingredient. I conducted some research and found out that although many products contain very small amounts of aloe, it is still a very popular ingredient. In my reading I also found out that the medicinal properties have been disputed and argued about for many years.
Uses of Aloe Vera
But what can you do with aloe vera? Apart from being in several products, including vitamin supplements, beauty products and hair products, pure aloe vera has the following uses:
1. Treatment of small, minor burns
I’ve never tried this, but I’ve heard that aloe can soothe small, surface burns.
2. Very helpful in the treatment of acne and other skin disorders
I tried this several times. I would cut a leaf, take of the skin and rub the thick, gelatinous flesh on my face. It was actually very soothing and it was a much needed facial treatment.
3. Can be used as a decorative plant
Put some aloe vera in a pot and you would have a nice, attractive plant.
4. It can be used as a laxative
Down a few cubes of aloe vera, wait a while and let it work.
5. Mix it up to create a hair treatment
I tried my own hair treatment using a small leaf of aloe and oils, mixed up using a hand blender. It was soothing and budget-friendly.
Do you use aloe? What do you use it for?