Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera (+5 Refreshing Recipes)

Are you suffering with acne, sunburns or ready to go on a cleanse to kickstart your diet? Maybe you just want to boost your immune system.  I have just the solution for you. ALOE VERA! What better way to cure all your insecurities and issues than to go all in and doing it naturally?  Why would I pass all those other products on the shelves at big name companies and settle for this rugged looking plant? Well, because its less expensive and easier to maintain. I don’t know but having $30 extra in my pocket is a big deal for me. So, instead of looking to brand name products for the best results, you could find the super plant in areas such as your garden or backyard. If you decide to go and plant it that is. I don’t want you going outside and looking for it when you didn’t put it there in the first place then when someone asks you, you say Shay said it would be there. Ahhh, no I didn’t. Just messing with you.Now, let me tell you a little more about this succulent plant.

Does This Really Work?

I have proven for myself that this plant does well with acne when I was back in Jamaica and had eaten all the junk the little island could offer. I had 2 weeks to leave to the U.S and my face was not looking the way I wanted it to be. I didn’t have time or the money to use products I couldn’t get at that point. Then, LIGHTBULB! I remembered seeing the aloe vera plant outside and quickly cut off a piece to let it soak in some water for about two hours before I drank the first  cup. Need proof? This is a photo I posted on my Instagram a while back to show people how much it helped me in just 9 days. This was done without a change in diet. Yes! you heard me! I still consumed the junk I wasn’t suppose to be eating and got these results just by drinking Aloe vera water. See how deplorable my situation was? Now, you be the judge. Does it really work?

The Makeup

You will not believe the range of benefits that this one plant has. When you find out, it may become the legal cannabis in your life. Before you get carried away, it will NOT get you high! So, this is 99% water. What is the 1% made of and good for? The 1% is filled with countless vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Talk about POWERFUL!  Surprisingly, that’s not all.

• The amino acids contains chains of atoms which construct protein within the body.
• Enzymes aid in the production of rejuvenating aged tissues promoting healthy skin.
• Germanium is a mineral vital for therapeutic benefits like cardiac disorders, eye problems, immunodeficiency and pain.
• Vitamins A, E and richest in C. This enhances circulation by maintaining tone of blood vessels. This is also amazingly convenient for stress control.

Others include Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium, Sugars, Lignin, Saponins, Fatty Acids Salicylic Acids and Anthraquinone.

More Benefits

As already established above, Aloe vera is works well with Acne, sunburns, eczema and boosting immune system. Is this all? Nope! Not even. Well, it works with most skin conditions remarkably quickly but it has the same effect with pain if applied topically. When consumed, it helps with internal epithelial tissue. So, for genital tract, stomach and mouth ulcers, lungs, bowels, nasal and sinuses; Aloe Vera should be your go-to.

Let’s go a little deeper with the effects on the immune system. It is an IMMONOMODULATOR. What does that massive word mean? It means it can both stimulate one issue and calms the next. It will calm the immune response for problems like Hay fever where less immune reaction is beneficial. On the other hand, it will stimulate the response for those suffering with weakened immune systems either from post illness fatigue or from existing conditions.

For Aloe Vera juice, over 200 worldwide scientific research papers publicized the effect of soothing digestive tract irritations like colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Where does this ulcer healing effect thrive from? It’s a possibility that it is from its ability to encourage the release of pepsin. That’s a gastric juice enzyme that is necessary for digestion. (Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, 1963, Vol.62). In another study, oral use for 6 months helped mitigate asthma symptoms.

The juice also cleans the morbid matter from the spleen, stomach, liver, kidneys, bladder and is considered the finest, known colon cleanser. Also, if you have a heartburn, you could use it.  Clinical trials in Japan leads toward certain compounds reduce the secretion of stomach juices and the formation of lesions.

Wait! Check this out. In 1994, the US Food and drug Administration approved  Aloe Vera for the treatment of HIV. Unbelievably amazing! People claim relief from arthritis, leg cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia and vaginitis. Yes, it is said to be an excellent vaginal douche.

What makes this plant so rare? Researcher Robert Davis, Ph.D., an endocrinologist-biologist  explains that 15 different compound groups of nutrients work together to make the plant effective. This simply means that the effects of Aloe Vera’s effects cannot be synthesized so easily in a laboratory.

Life hack offers more benefits here.

Recipes

Now that you know what Aloe vera is made from and what it can be used to cure, let’s get down to business. It’s time for you to start executing and putting this plant into practice. I’ve researched and put together the simplest, most effective recipes for you!

LET THE HEALTH HACKING BEGIN!

When used in your hair, they provide nourishment, prevent excess oiliness, eliminate dandruff, encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss.

All of these benefits add up to beautiful shiny hair and a glowing complexion. Regular application of this homemade recipe is highly beneficial for reducing suntan as well. Both help reduce dark spots and blemishes on your face, and even help minimize stretch marks. They also help heal acne and acne scars.

Recipe 1 – How to prepare an aloe vera and lemon juice mask (2 In 1 Face and Hair)

Things you will need:

• 2 aloe vera leaves
• Half a lemon
• 3 bowls
• A sharp knife
• A juice squeezer (optional)
  A blender

Steps

1. Cut two thick aloe vera leaves from an aloe vera plant with a sharp knife.
2. Cut off the serrated edges of both the leaves.
3. Slit the top layer of the leaves lengthwise. You will see the translucent aloe vera gel inside.
4. Carefully peel off the aloe vera gel from the leaves.
5. Put the gel pulp into a bowl.
6. Squeeze out the juice from half a lemon.
7. Pour the thick, succulent aloe vera gel into a blender.
8. Pour the lemon juice into the blender as well.
9. Blend the mixture for about one minute.
10. Pour the mixture from the blender into a bowl.
11. Hair: After working it into your hair, leave it in for about 20 minutes and then wash it out.
12. Face mask: Make sure to apply the mask to your face and your neck to maintain an even skin tone. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

Aloe Juice

• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (extracted from the leaf or purchased from a health food store)
• 1 apple
• 1 cucumber
• 1 lemon

Steps

Blend, chill and enjoy

Recipe 2 – Aloe Juice

• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel (extracted from the leaf or purchased from a health food store)
• 1 carrot
• 1 apple (preferably green)
• 1-2 cups of pineapple
• Optional: a few tablespoons of coconut milk (health perk: coconut milk will increase your juice’s bacteria-fighting potential)

Steps

Blend, chill and enjoy

Cool Fact: As you are tossing odds and ends into your blender, just remember: as you change the fruit, you’ll change the color. Because aloe vera gel is a clear substance, whatever you toss alongside it will determine what color your beverage becomes. Create a standard green aloe vera juice, or turn it up a notch with a red, yellow or even orange tint.

Recipe 3 – Homemade Whipped Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera Gel Lotion

Things you will need:

• Fresh aloe vera gel
• Extra-virgin coconut oil
• Essential oils of your choice (optional)
• A mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A blender
• An electric or hand whisker
• A glass container to store it in

Steps

1.  Scoop out the gel from a small aloe vera leaf and blend it.
2. Put ½ cup of extra-virgin coconut oil in a bowl
3. Add the blended aloe vera gel.
4. Whisk the mixture using an electric or hand whisker for 5 to 10 minutes until you get a fluffy, frosting-like consistency.
5. Optionally, add a few drops of essential oils like lavender and peppermint oils and whisk again.

Transfer your whipped coconut oil lotion into the glass container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for several weeks. Use it all over your body as you would use any other moisturizing lotion. To increase its effectiveness, apply it after bathing when your skin is somewhat moist to help lock in the moisture. It also works well as a good makeup remover.

Recipe 4 – Aloe Vera Face Cream

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup aloe vera gel
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
1.5 tablespoons beeswax pastilles (Can also use 3/4th of a 1 oz bar of beeswax, diced finely or grated)
5-8 drops essential oil like lavender or geranium (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat coconut oil, beeswax, and jojoba oil in a modified double boiler, stirring occasionally to make sure contents combine.

Once liquid, pour mixture into glass blender and allow mixture to completely cool (about 1 – 1.5 hours.) Once the mixture has cooled, take a spatula and scrap down the sides of the blender to loosen the contents.

Turn blender on low and slowly pour aloe vera gel into the mixture, stopping occasionally to allow contents to combine.

Recipe 5 – Aloe Vera Stretch Mark Removal

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil,

¼ cup aloe Vera gel,

2 tablespoons vitamin E gel and

1 tablespoon Vitamin a gel.

Steps

Blend Well

As soon as the ingredients are properly blended, put it in a container then keep inside the refrigerator until chilled. Put on the skin once daily. All the vitamins and aloe Vera will accelerate the production of new cell as well as lessen the appearance of stretch marks.

Featured photo credit: pixabay via pixabay.com

The post Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera (+5 Refreshing Recipes) appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/1og9g2Q
via IFTTT