14 Miraculous Therapeutic Properties of Aloe Vera: The Sacred Healer

Aloe Vera (botanical name: Aloe barbadensis miller; family: Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae)) is one of the most important therapeutic herbs in Ayurveda known for its powerful healing, skincare, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. An evergreen, perennial succulent plant, Aloe Vera is replete with anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant elements, and is also known as Ghritkumari in Sanskrit due to its effectiveness in treating diseases related to young girls, including menstrual problems. Ancient civilizations, including the Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, and Greek, were well aware of the miraculous medicinal properties of the plant. In Rig Veda, the plant is described to be effective in boosting the reproductive system, liver functionality, treating insect bites and healing of wounds, while in Atharva Veda, it holds a prominent place as a sacred plant and is known as “the silent healer”. In Charaka Samhita, it is mentioned as a women's companion and is useful in regulating their menstrual cycles, ovulation, fertility and sex drive. It is effective in relieving pain and lightening stretch marks caused due to pregnancy. In addition, it also helps in reducing colic in babies. The Egyptians called it the "plant of immortality" and gifted it to the tombs of their monarchs. Ancient queens, including Cleopatra and Nefertiti's, were known to use it as a special ingredient to enhance their beauty.

Aloe Vera plant has 1-2 feet long thick leaves broad at the base and pointed at the tip with little thorns at the edges. It is generally found in the dry regions of Africa, Asia (including arid regions of India), Europe and America. There are more than 200 varieties of Aloe Vera and some popular variety include Aloe Barbadensis Miller, Aloe Saponaria, Aloe Chinensis, Aloe Variegata, Aloe Forex, Aloe Humilis, Aloe Striata, Aloe Petricola, and Aloe Ciliaris.

The Aloe Vera plant contains a rich variety of vitamins (vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, folic acid, C and E), amino acids, polysaccharides (glucomannan and galactan), monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), anthraquinones (aromatic organic compounds with laxative, antimicrobial and anticancer properties), enzymes (oxidase, amylase, and catalase), minerals (calcium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and chrome), fatty acids and hormones (auxins and gibberellins) with wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

In Ayurveda, Aloe juice is mentioned to balance all three doshas, but it is highly effective against Pitta dosha (i.e., for regulating digestion and metabolism). It is mentioned to have miraculous effects in healing the wound, invigorating the skin, boosting the intestines and female reproductive system, improving digestion, treating blisters, preventing poisoning, reducing inflammations of spleen and liver, and removing a tumor.

Aloe Vera has high anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and hypoglycemic effects on the skin, which makes it effective in healing even first- to second-degree burns. In addition, it accelerates fibroblast and collagen formation, which are responsible for accelerating wound contraction and healing process.

Apply pure Aloe Vera gel extracted from a fresh Aloe Vera leaf on the wound or burn several times a day. Also, preparing a paste by mixing two-thirds bentonite clay with one-third Aloe Vera gel and applying it on the affected area for 15-20 minutes is very effective in sunburn. Similarly, a mixture of Aloe Vera with honey is very effective on burns caused by spilling of hot oil and can even smoothen the affected area in a few days if applied regularly for 2-3 hours.

Applying a mixture of Aloe Vera gel with one-eighth lemon juice for 10-15 minutes removes whiteheads, pimples and black spots on the skin.

Due to the presence of anti-inflammatory fatty acids in Aloe Vera, regular intake of 2-3 tablespoons of pure Aloe Vera gel before breakfast helps in clearing the wastes and improving the functioning of the liver, stomach, kidney, intestine, and colon.

For infants having constipation problems, make a paste of Aloe Vera gel mixed with fried asafetida powder. Apply the paste near the naval area of the infant. It will help in relieving the pain and improve bowel movement.

The phytoestrogens present in Aloe Vera gel improve the hormonal imbalance of the body. In menopause, the level of estrogen hormones drops leading to vaginal dryness, itching, and loss of libido. Aloe Vera activates the estrogen receptors and produces the hormones that minimize the effect.

Make a mixture of Aloe Vera gel and water in equal proportion with salt in small quantities. Boil the potion and add some sugar for taste. A regular intake of one tablespoon of this mixture for up to six months proves to be beneficial in menopause.

Put 1-2 drops of lukewarm Aloe Vera gel in any of the ears. It will provide relief from pain.

Putting a thin slice of Aloe Vera pulp above both the eyes on a regular basis helps in improving the eyesight.

The presence of anthraquinones in Aloe Vera makes it highly suitable for use in tooth gels to control cavity-causing oral bacteria.

Regular application of a paste of Aloe Vera mixed with bentonite clay, curd, and bhringraj (Eclipta prostrata) for 20-25 minutes is a very effective treatment to turn grey hair to black. Regular application of Aloe Vera gel in the scalp helps in treating hair fall.

Regular intake of Aloe Vera gel twice a day for 1-2 weeks can help in treating arthritis and liver-related problems, including swelling in liver and increase in bilirubin level. Regularly massage the affected joints with Aloe Vera gel mixed with mustard oil. It will cure the pain in a few days.

A mixture of 20-25 g Aloe Vera with 1-2 pinch black paper powder and rock salt is very effective in gastric problems.

Aloe Vera gel is found to generate anti-oxidant protein, metallothionein, in the skin, which helps in preventing ultraviolet-induced radiation damage to the skin.

Regular intake of Aloe Vera gel with Amla juice is very effective for treating fissures.

Aloe Vera juice is beneficial in improving the blood circulation by reducing triglycerides in the blood and decreasing cholesterol. A tablespoon of pure Aloe Vera juice taken after a heavy meal alkalizes the stomach acid and digestive tract. This helps in preventing painful contraction of muscles joining the esophagus and stomach, thus relieving from heartburn.

Regular intake of Aloe Vera juice helps in improving memory and retention power and reduces depression.

Both Aloe Vera and amla (gooseberry) have a high quantity of vitamins and minerals. Consuming them in regular dosage helps in reducing inflammatory skin conditions and revitalizing skin. One of the better ways of consuming them is making a juice of Aloe Vera with amla.

To prepare Aloe Vera Gooseberry juice, take 3-4 Aloe Vera leaves, 2-3 fresh gooseberries, 1 lemon, few fresh mint leaves, and some ginger according to taste. Extract the Aloe Vera gel from the Aloe Vera leaves and cut gooseberry and ginger into small pieces. Mix them together with 1-2 glass of water and mint leaves according to taste in a grinder. Grind for 2-3 minutes and filter the solution. You can add lemon juice and honey according to taste.

Aloe Vera Gooseberry juice boosts immunity, improves digestion, eliminates the toxic wastes from the body, increases youthfulness, delays greying of hair or hair loss by reducing inflammatory scalp conditions and promoting hair growth, regulates appetite and improves digestion and metabolism, thus leading to weight loss.