You might think you know what an aloe plant is, but there are over 500 different species of Aloe. Aloe plants are in mostly dry regions of North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa, where it is thought to have originated. While most people tend to think of Aloe as a succulent or cactus plant, the Aloe Vera plant is actually a member of the Lily family while the American version is considered to be in the agave family. For the uses in this article I will be referring to the Aloe Vera plant also called “true aloe”. The healing properties in this one plant are truly amazing.

Now most of us have heard about placing Aloe Vera gel on things like burns, cuts and sunburns in the past, but how and why? Well, when you cut one of the large leaves of an Aloe vera plant there will be a transparent gel that oozes out of the cut. This gel has been found to have properties of an astringent, an antibiotic, a pain inhibitor, a coagulating agent, a scar inhibitor and cell growth stimulator. This being said, the gel can be used as a natural remedy for sunburns, cuts, scars, insect bites, rashes and even as an anti-aging cream gel. How does this happen you ask? Well, the gel from the Aloe Vera plant has been found to contain vitamin B12, minerals, proteins, enzymes and amino acids that helps your skin repair itself. As for repairing, once you cut the actual leaf of the Aloe Vera plant, the cut portion will slowly heal itself as well. The cut portion will film over and then produce a rubbery protective coating to seal off the cut area.

Another use for Aloe Vera recently has been its use as an oral laxative. Using the dried latex lining of the Aloe Vera leaf or the juice of the Aloe Vera plant have been used to relieve constipation in adults. Supposedly the Aloe Vera juice helps to increase protein absorption and helps improve your bowel regularity. Now do not do this without consulting your doctor first as the FDA has not given its approval for the remedy.

You will, also, find Aloe Vera in shampoos and soaps. These products help to cleanse the skin and hair and repair any damage that may be there. Look closely though as some of the products only contain trace amounts of Aloe Vera and therefore do not really help you. Look for a product that contains Aloe Vera in the top third of its ingredient list for a true beneficial product.

The best advantage to using to using an Aloe Vera plant is that they are relatively inexpensive to purchase, easy to grow and will be right there when you need it. So, go buy a little green friend today for your health.