Aloe vera is a well-known plant that is used for its many healing properties .
In fact the benefits of this plant are numerous and it is known in folk medicine since ancient times .
Aloe vera contains:
> vitamins such as A, C, E, and many of the B complex;
> mineral salts such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium;
> amino acids ;
> plant enzymes .
On the market we can find at the nursery the plant to be cultivated but also directly the fleshy leaves of fresh aloe sold directly in specialized fruit and vegetable stores such as those that offer products from organic farming.
Also on the market at herbalist's stores we find natural supplements based on aloe to drink and to be applied externally on skin for topical use.
The aloe plant
The aloe plant is easily recognizable, it is a fleshy plant with long green and rigid leaves that are positioned like a bush starting from the center.
The inside of the leaves is fleshy and by cutting it we will see the pulp and the transparent gel which are the parts of the plant that contain all the beneficial active and phytonutrient ingredients.
Furthermore, this plant is a xerophyte, which means that the aloe has the ability to close and therefore move the leaves, to maintain its internal balance of liquids.
This mechanism is essential to survive in dry environments without rain in which it originates.
Summer: why use aloe?
Aloe vera has many beneficial properties for our body, in particular it is very useful for the prevention of some typical disorders of the summer period and, among others, it is also an excellent remedy against the heat. Let's see what all its advantages are.
Safe and healthy skin
First of all, it protects and heals the skin from sunburn : the active ingredients in aloe vera are indicated to help the healing of micro-lesions and excessive exposure to sunlight. Furthermore aloe vera gel is excellent to use as an after sun cream.
Furthermore aloe vera is useful in case of insect bites like mosquitoes which unfortunately are a very present problem in summer.
With the addition in the aloe gel of a few drops of essential oil of lavender, citronella and lemongrass we can also prepare an insect repellent product to spread on our skin to protect us from this problem.
Still the presence of vitamin A, C and E in aloe vera is exactly what is needed to keep the skin toned, luminous and young .
Therefore both topical use and as a natural supplement of aloe vera are indicated in the summer period to protect and keep our skin in full health .
Detoxification and antioxidant
In the summer with the summer we all want to be fit and ready for the swimsuit test so even in this case the aloe vera becomes a precious ally.
In fact, the fresh aloe vera gel can be added to smoothies, centrifuges and extracts that we prepare especially in summer, but remember that aloe vera has a bitter taste and a limited amount is enough to add a hint of 'health' to our drinks .
The detoxifying effect is really excellent and the whole body will benefit from greater cleanliness thanks to its purifying properties that facilitate the elimination of waste and thus give more vitality to the whole organism.
Aloe is also an excellent antioxidant that reduces the effect of free radicals and therefore keeps our body younger by counteracting cellular aging.
Immune system
Our defensive system is aided by the intake of aloe vera based products also thanks to the wealth of active ingredients and phytonutrients it contains like vitamins A, C, E and group B.
Having an active immune system that protects the body is the best resource to better face the summer .
Aloe vera even has an anti-fungal and antiviral action that can be indicated in the summer period for example when we go to the pool and we can run into problems with fungi to the skin or when flu and cold occur due to climate change and temperature changes.
Happy intestine
Aloe vera greatly helps intestinal motility and is a mild laxative that also eliminates toxins and waste from the circulation.
The aloe gel also has a soothing action on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and this helps to keep the stomach and the whole intestine healthy.
We can say that it therefore reduces problems of
> gastric reflux;
> gastritis;
> colitis ;
> abdominal burning;
> micro-ulcers in the stomach or intestines.
And it protects the entire mucosa keeping it in perfect health.
Finally, at a general level, aloe vera helps to counteract inflammation in all the tissues of our body and in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, an effect that is always favorable at all times of the year.
