Make sure you either extract pure aloe vera at home or buy aloe vera gel free from harmful chemicals.

13 Researched ways to use Aloe Vera

6. Sunburn:

Aloe Vera reduces pain and redness and promotes the healing of sunburnt skin. You can either use the:

• These sunburn relief creams contain aloe vera.
• Make your own aloe vera soothing cream for relieving and preventing sunburn.

7. Aloe Vera for hair

Aloe vera nourishes hair roots and reduces hair fall. It reduces dandruff if you combine it with tea tree oil or lemon. Massage the Aloe Vera scalp for around 1 hour before washing your hair, or make your aloe vera growth mask. You put this mask overnight on hair roots for maximum benefit. It grows hair in 3 months.

8. Cuts and boils:

Aloe vera aids healing and prevents infection when applied to minor cuts and boils because of its anti-bacterial and antiseptic action.

9. Skin cancer: 

Anti-tumor activity of aloe vera is attributed to skin repairing and anti-inflammatory properties.

10. Minor burns: 

 Studies show that aloe vera causes skin epithelisation and accelerated healing. It is faster than the commonly used antiseptic cream silver sulphadiazine.

11. Lichen planus: 

Lichen planus is a common skin disorder characterized by an itchy purple-colored rash. It has shown regression with an application of aloe vera.

12. Psoriasis: 

Both application and intake of aloe vera reduce psoriasis lesions because of their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory action. One study concluded that aloe vera cream might be more effective than 0.1% steroid cream in reducing the clinical symptoms of psoriasis.

13. Scabies: 

Aloe vera gel might be as effective as benzyl benzoate in the treatment of scabies.

How to make aloe vera at home?

Aloe vera gel extracted at home should be stored in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerator immediately to avoid oxidation. The method of extracting aloe vera is as follows:

• Aloe vera gel gets spoiled on exposure to air and sunlight. Therefore, the whole process of extraction should be performed quickly.
• Cut one or two mature leaves from the Aloe vera plant and clean it thoroughly.
• Split the aloe leaf into two halves with the knife. Scoop out the clear, translucent inner gel from the split leaf.
• Wash the yellow residue(rich in anthraquinones) that oozes out of the transparent aloe vera gel. This will reduce the chances of skin reaction.
• Store this freshly extracted aloe vera gel in an air-tight glass container in the refrigerator.

The advantage of homemade aloe vera is that it is 100% pure, and the disadvantage is that you have to store it in the refrigerator.

Will drinking aloe vera help my skin as well?

Yes, of course.  One study has shown improvement in wrinkles with the intake of aloe vera daily for three months.  You should start with two tablespoons of Aloe vera gel mixed with lemonade or any juice and increase to 4 tablespoons maximum.  It is not advisable to consume pure aloe vera.

What are the side effects of using Aloe vera?

The Cosmetic ingredient review expert panel labels aloe vera preparations as safe. However, several case reports of the development of hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis in response to aloe vera preparations have been published.

Oral intake of aloe vera might cause diarrhea, especially at higher doses, and may lower blood glucose levels. Rare kidney damage cases with chronic aloe vera intake have been reported. The above-mentioned side effects are more common if the yellow liquid (rich in anthraquinone) is not removed during extraction.