Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field of cosmetology. The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.
Active components with its properties: Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins (A, C, E, B12, folic asid and choline); enzymes (aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase); minerals (calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc); sugars (monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose)); lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
Benefits of aloe vera:
- Antioxidant and antibacterial properties: Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants belonging to a large family of substances known as polyphenols. That helps inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans. Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. This is part of why it may help heal wounds and treat skin problems.
- Wound healing: People most often use aloe vera as a topical medication, rubbing it onto the skin rather than consuming it. In fact, it has a long history of use in treating sores, and particularly burns, including sunburn. Aloe gel increases collagen content of the wound and also changes collagen composition (more type III) and increases the degree of collagen cross linking. Due to this, it accelerates wound contraction and increases the breaking strength of resulting scar tissue.
- It reduces dental plaque: Tooth decay and diseases of the gum are very common health problems. One of the best ways to prevent these conditions is to reduce the buildup of plaque, or bacterial biofilms, on the teeth. Aloe vera is effective in killing the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutansin the mouth, as well as the yeast Candida albicans.
- It lowers blood sugar levels: People sometimes use aloe vera as a remedy for diabetes. This is because it may enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.
- Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation: Aloe vera gel has been reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin. using aloe vera gel, generates metallothionein in the skin, which scavenges hydroxyl radicals and prevents suppression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the skin. And hence prevents UV-induced suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity.
Aloe vera has a range of therapeutic properties, especially as an ointment for the skin and gums. More of its benefits for skin will be discussed in next articles.