The... 2. [2] The gel inside the leaf is commonly used as a home remedy to treat skin conditions like sunburns and cold sores. This shrubby, pointy plant has been cultivated for its soothing gel for thousands of years. While it has not been proven to be dangerous in humans, there is a definite risk from eating the raw leaf. Choose a wide container to repot your aloe plant since aloes tend to produce offshoots, or baby aloe plants. [Letter. This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND. Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant that can grow as high as three feet tall. Tweet. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Not every oil will work for your skin type. When the sun finally comes out after a long period of rain or cold, it’s easy to forget some important steps to keeping your body clean and healthy. Care of Aloe Houseplants. Aloe vera is a plant that contains a naturally soothing gel. Water your aloe vera plants less in the winter, since the plants will drain more slowly. Aloe vera juice has laxative properties, so it is a good natural remedy for combatting constipation.It promotes better intestinal transit for those who are suffering from constipation. I use the leaves to tackle skin irritations. To use pure aloe vera plant gel on your skin, break a leaf off of an aloe plant as close to the stem as possible. X You can buy Aloe Vera gel at the grocery store or pharmacy but did you know you can also grow your very own Aloe Vera plant at home? It is an evergreen plant whose origin belongs to the peninsular region of Arab. The raw gel extracted from one of these sections is capable of coating both your hands and arms. To treat a sunburn, spread a layer of pure gel extracted from the inside of an aloe vera leaf over the burnt skin. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative study. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Read on to learn how to use Aloe Vera and the potential benefits and risks. If you’re using a plant at home, cut about one inch off of the stem. 40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera 1. Email. Not only does the tea tree oil leave your scalp feeling fresh, but it also cuts down on unnecessary chemicals being added into your beauty regime. Wash your face at least daily. Because of its nutritional properties, this plant is a living superfood. The aloe plant is similar to a cactus in care requirements. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Fill the pot partially with soil, then set the aloe's root ball right in the middle. Aloe vera is a popular vitamin-rich plant that has skin healing properties. Slice a large, succulent leaf from the plant. To use aloe vera as a treatment for constipation, drink a maximum of two glasses of aloe vera juice every day.Be careful with your intake, as it may cause the opposite effect and result in diarrhoea. Go to source Purchase an aloe vera plant. This article was co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA. These succulents do well outdoors in rockeries and flowerbeds, and they also make fantastic indoor plants as well.. Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. Is it safe to eat? Lay the leaf on a cutting board and slice away both ends, so that you can see the gel sandwiched between the layers of tough skin. Say goodbye to stained pillowcases! The soil of the aloe vera plant should be allowed to go completely dry before being watered. Also, tell your doctor about aloe and any other supplements that you take to prevent any adverse drug interactions. Although the leaves can be snapped off with your hands, use a sharp knife to ensure the leaf edge does not tear and the plant remains appealing to … Yellow flowers may grow on outdoor aloe plants, but not on indoor potted aloe plants. Although not as good as aloe vera plant in glass vase, but they do the trick. Referred to as the root, this section can get dried out and can prevent you from getting at the meat of the plant. If you care for the plant properly, it will thrive and produce plenty of aloe for medicinal use. Can I apply aloe vera on my hair? Aloe Vera, or Aloe barbadensis, has many well-known uses for human health. The aloe vera plant is native to the Arabian peninsula, but it grows throughout the world. It will accelerate the healing process for your skin, reduce pain, swelling, and help with blood clotting. The aloe vera flower can have many uses. According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, oral aloe is associated with a risk of diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Aloe vera is one of the most useful and soothing medicinal plants. Here's how you can use the plant. Small abrasions. Just use your good judgement. I eat a tiny bit every morning. Try for an Eastern or Western exposure instead. Remember to add aloe after each wash. Make your own aloe vera toothpaste. Even with the advent of modern treatment and management options, some still prefer the natural way. Moisturizing Your Skin Apply aloe vera gel gently with your fingertips. Over watering can cause rot to form, which may kill your plant. Aloe vera is conside… wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. At the end of their lives, they can break down naturally in a compost bin. Squeeze the gel out of the leaf and apply it to your burn, or simply lay the opened leaf gel-side–down on top of the affected area. You might want to reconsider eating the raw whole leaf-- even a tiny bit. It has a variety of uses, including improving digestive health, helping clear acne, and even as a cooking oil Clean off waterproof mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow with aloe. In about two months after sprouting the aloe vera should be ready to use. Aloe vera can reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and moisturize skin. Should I use the large or small one? Watch out for the spines as you cut. By cutting off the edges of the rind, you’ll make it easier to peel or scrape the gel away. Find out if they're really ready. Go the extra mile and pamper your scalp. It's bitter as can be. This plant material is also very high in Saponins (30,000 ppm) and this adds another level of benefits." By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. "This article helps me to know how to grow aloe vera plant indoors in Netherlands, where there's cold weather all, "This really helped me because I went the store to get some soil and saw aloe vera, but I didn't think I needed it, "Steps to grow, caution in its uses, clearing the myths about aloe all helped. It grows wildly in tropical countries across the globe for medicinal and agricultural benefits. For tips on how to treat dandruff or cold sores with aloe vera gel, read on! It may also cause intestinal distress in infants that consume breastmilk after the mother has consumed aloe. How To use Fresh Aloe Vera for Natural Hair. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 301,933 times. This article has been viewed 301,933 times. When people use aloe vera topically on the skin or as a mouthwash, experts generally consider it … Aloe plants not only add a touch of tropical to your home, but they can also come in handy for cuts, burns, or scrapes! ", "I have learned from this article how to grow aloe vera plants. If I have a skin irritation (rash, bug bite, etc) I rub the cut … Promotes oral health. Because of this, you should not consume the whole leaf (both green skin and gel) unless instructed to by a medical professional. Then use your fingertips to massage the gel into your scalp and leave the gel in your hair. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Use-Fresh-Aloe-Vera-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Fresh-Aloe-Vera-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Use-Fresh-Aloe-Vera-Step-1.jpg\/aid10814938-v4-728px-Use-Fresh-Aloe-Vera-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"