Aloe plant has more than 400 types, but Aloe Vera plant is the best of all and contains many health benefits due to its healing features. Different types of aloe vera grow in dry and tropical climates, especially in Asia, Africa, Europe, and some parts of the US. Aloe vera has colossal uses as it stores water in leaves.
Humans have been using aloe for centuries. It has different names; burn plant, elephant’s gall, and lily of the desert. It helps healing wounds, improves digestive issues, and many more, which we will discuss later in this article.
Let’s start with some common types of aloe vera or aloe plant!
Types of Aloe
Aloe Barbadensis Miller
Aloe Barbadensis is one of the common types of aloe vera or aloe. It is commonly known as Aloe Vera, which has yellow flowers and white spots on leaves, which disappear when it grows old. Aloe vera gel benefits in fast healing and also useful for hair and skin issues. This gel forms from its leaves.
Aloe Ferox
It is also called Cape Aloe. Its leaves have brown teeth and spines at the lower part. This type of aloe has bright orange flowers. Its transparent gel is used in skincare products, food supplements, and burn ointments.
Aloe Broomii
It is a beautiful plant with candle-like lemon flowers and light green leaves. It is another popular ornamental aloe plant that grows in rock gardens and gravel.
Aloe Crosby’s Pacific
It’s a beautiful disease-free plant with long green leaves, bright orange tubular flowers, and translucent teeth at the edges. In a sunny environment, leaves get redder.
Aloe Petricola
It is also known as Stone Aloe. This unique plant has orange, yellow, and red flowers. If you are a plant lover then, it is an eye-catchy addition to your garden. It helps improve air quality.
Aloe Rubroviolacea
Here comes another beautiful type of aloe that grows in gardens, patios, beds, and containers. It has delightful blue-green leaves with reddish teeth around them. In a sunny environment, it turns purple. In winter, this disease-free plant grows red flowers.
Health Benefits
You have now known some common types of aloe vera or aloe. Now, grasp of its benefits. This medicinal plant Aloe Vera has numerous health benefits. Here we have listed the information regarding Aloe Vera plant benefits that will make you amaze about the medicinal uses of Aloe Vera. Grasp it!
Provide Relief from Heartburn
A digestive disorder, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) that often causes heartburn; Aloe Vera is a low toxic plant that helps reduce heartburn effectively. Consuming 1 to 3 ounces of aloe vera gel at mealtime will help reducing heartburn.
Helps Healing Wounds
Aloe vera contains ingredients that help inhibit bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It speeds up the healing process and also prevents inside wounds from bacteria. That’s why aloe vera is best known for its antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
Rubbing aloe vera on sunburns is also helpful. It is used as a skin protectant.
Reduce Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a common health issue but, pure aloe vera juice helps reduce bacterial growth on teeth. This juice kills streptococcus mutans (plaque-producing bacterium).
Skincare
Aloe vera is beneficial to keep your skin fresh, clear, and hydrated. Its leaves contain water. With complex carbohydrates present in it, it serves as an active moisturizer and also helps relieve pain. Several pieces of evidence have proved its antiaging effects on the skin. A study has proposed that aloe vera gel enhances collagen production and also improves skin elasticity.
If you have dry skin, you need aloe vera gel. You have to learn; how to apply aloe vera gel on the face? Or how to use aloe vera on the face?
Provides Relief in Constipation
Constipation is a painful condition. Providing relief in constipation is one of the tremendous health benefits of aloe vera. Which part of aloe vera is good to use in this condition? An aloe vera latex! Aloe vera latex (a sticky yellow residue under leaf skin) contains barbaloin or aloin that helps in this condition.
For mouth care, 15 to 30 days rinsing with aloe vera juice is more fruitful.
Helps Lower Blood Sugar
Here comes another benefit of consuming aloe vera juice. Consuming 2 tablespoons of its juice daily; will reduce the blood sugar level for type 2 diabetes people. However, it is better to consult with a doctor regarding how to eat aloe vera? It is because diabetes patients use glucose-lowering medicines that can reduce sugar-level to a minimum.
These fruitful health benefits making aloe vera vital for humans that need in plantations too.
Constituents
Now you have known about aloe benefits and types of aloe vera or aloe, below are its ingredients;
Vitamins
- Vitamin B-12. It helps maintain blood cells, DNA, and also nerve cells.
- Vitamin A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants that protect cells.
- Folic acid. It prevents from birth-defects and makes new cells.
- Choline. It sends signals between cells and transmits nerve impulses.
Minerals
Aloe vera gel contains minerals, among which nine are:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Chromium
- Copper
- Sodium
- Potassium
Above four (magnesium, selenium, zinc, and manganese) helps in maintaining metabolic functions. Chromium helps increase insulin. The last three help the body to work effectively.
Bottom line!
Aloe vera is a very energetic plant in many aspects discussed above. With influential types of aloe vera or aloe, aloe vera ingredients or recipes, and aloe vera flower or leave uses, you have gathered the benefits hidden in the aloe vera plant. With these benefits, maybe you’re thinking How to cut aloe vera for planting or how to grow aloe vera at home.
FAQs
What disease can aloe vera cure?
Aloe vera is effective in various ailments’ treatment including burn, allergic conditions, acid indigestion, skin diseases, piles, ulcer, inflammatory conditions, and many others.
What parts of Aloe Vera used in products?
The leaf is a primary component used in most products. It is processed to make aloe vera juice in 2 ways. This juice can be converted into powder too. Aloe vera leaf contains aloin which is a laxative.
How to store fresh aloe?
- Keep it cool. Temperature and humidity can spoil aloe vera freshness.
- An airtight container is best because oxygen can also harm aloe vera leading to the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Keep it far from UV light. Store in a jar that protects it from UV radiation.
- Freeze it for longer shelf life.
- Before freezing aloe, trim its leaf, and cube the flesh.
Is it better to consume aloe vera daily?
Consuming 1 gram per day of aloe vera for the long term (without physician’s consultation) can also lead to side effects. Side effects can be kidney issues, abnormal heartbeat, and stomach cramps.
Can I take aloe vera for specific medical conditions?
Different types of Aloe vera have numerous benefits discussed above. However, it is better to consult a physician to consume accordingly.
Does Aloe vera evaporate instantly?
With heat, it evaporates on yarn but, many additives in a capsule containing aloe vera protect it from evaporation.
Which aloe types are poisonous?
Among different types of aloe vera, Aloe Ballyi, Aloe Elata, and Aloe Ruspoliana are poisonous. Although the first two are rare, it is better to know the aloe type before consuming it.