Sunday, May 5, 2013

How to Use Aloe Vera to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

The properties of the aloe vera plant are thought to help reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. Since the key symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is painful inflammation of the joints, topical application of aloe vera may help to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
 
See your doctor to determine how to best treat rheumatoid arthritis. Obtain the correct diagnosis in order to know how to incorporate aloe vera use into your treatment regimen. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the immune system that causes inflammation of the joints and tissues, due to the body's immune system attacking its own healthy tissue. This condition can also affect your organs.

  1. Apply aloe vera gel to your joints, as necessary, to treat rheumatoid arthritis. For best results, use the gel directly from the plant for use in aloe vera treatment. The anti-inflammatory properties can help ease the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis to give you temporary relief.
    • Cut a leaf off from a mature aloe vera plant using a sharp pair of scissors, and peel away the outer leaf to reveal the clear gel inside. Use your fingers to get the gel out of the plant. Alternatively, cut off the end of the leaf and squeeze out the gel; you may not get as much aloe vera use this way, however.
    • Spread the aloe gel onto the areas that are bothering you the most. Apply it as you would any other lotion.

  2. Drink aloe vera juice to help treat rheumatoid arthritis. Start in small doses to see how your body reacts to the aloe vera treatment and to help avoid potential side effects. Begin with 2 to 3 oz. of aloe juice once per day, and work up to 3 times per day. This may help with any inflammation that has occurred inside your body, including your digestive system, since rheumatoid arthritis can affect your organs as well.

  3. Use an aloe vera treatment with other remedies in order to fully treat rheumatoid arthritis. Aloe vera use alone is not sufficient for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor will be able to help you determine a full course of action to better serve your symptoms.

Ultimate way of use of AloeVera

Ultimate way of use of AloeVera

Topical Aloe Uses

1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.

2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.

3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.

4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.

5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.

6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.

7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.

8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.

9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.

10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.

11. Fight Athlete's Foot.

12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.

13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.

14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!

15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.

16. Soothe Psoriasis.

17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.

18. Help rid of Rosacea.

19. Shrink warts.

20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!

21. Help eliminate Eczema.

22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.

23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.

24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.

25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.

26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.

27. Replace aloe with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.

28. Remove eye makeup.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

30. Drink aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.

31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it's recommended for its laxative effects.

32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.

33. Take aloe orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.

34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.

35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.

36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with aloe vera ingredients.

37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.

38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.

39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.

40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Aloe vera

 
Active components with its properties: Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
  1. Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
  2. Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
  3. Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
  4. Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.
  5. Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
  6. Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
  7. Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.
  8. Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.
 

Aloe Vera Benefits for Health

Like most other succulents, Aloe Vera too contains self-healing properties. Therefore, from ancient times Aloe Vera has been considered the most incredible herb, superior to garlic, in offering innumerable benefits.

Eliminates Cancer Tumour
Aloe Vera helps terminate cancer cells and tumors as Polysaccharides, a substance, found in Aloe Vera with increased production of nitric oxide, a chemical, with an ability to weaken and reduce cancer tumours. Acemannan, a phytonutrient found in Aloe Vera has anti-cancer properties with an ability to quicken the obliteration of cancer cells and tumors. They also help recoup from lethal cancer treatments.

Cures Radiation Burns
Aloe Vera acts as a curative to burns obtained from Radiotherapy treatment for cancer.  Internal and external uses of Aloe Vera quicken the healing process and provide immense relief.

Eases Inflammation
Regular consumption of Aloe Vera juice for over fifteen days help alleviate symptoms of inflammation in the body such as rheumatism, arthritis and inflammation of the eyes and ears.  External application of the gel helps ease muscle and joint pain.

Boosts Nourishment
This wonder herb has the capacity to augment the antioxidant effects of certain vitamins such as vitamins E and C.This is due to its ability to enhance the quality of blood and help carrying the essential nutrients and the oxygen efficiently to the body’s tissues and cells.

Promotes Digestive Health
Polysaccharides provide therapeutic benefits. Consumption of Aloe Vera juice provides relief from digestional disorders.  It eliminates gastrointestinal disorders such as heart and acid reflux, stabilises the alkaline acid in the body, prevents symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, acts as a laxative and avoids constipation.  Hence, Aloe Vera offers excellent cure for ulcers, Celiac and Crohn’s diseases.

Improve Circulatory Health
A sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet rich in junk food containing high amounts of salt, saturated fats and hydrogenated oils lead to clumping of the blood cells leading to life threatening diseases. These clumps obstruct sufficient supply of oxygen and other essential nutrients to the cells, tissues and the brain due to an obstruction caused by clumping of blood cells in the circulatory system. Nevertheless, Aloe Vera helps ease blood stickiness making the blood less sticky thus promoting circulatory health.

Regulates Blood Pressure
With its ability to reverse blood stickiness, and promoting circulatory health by making the blood flow smoothly, preventing the heart from pumping forcibly Aloe Vera helps lower high blood pressure.

Prevents Heart Attack and Stroke
Since Aloe Vera enhances the quality of blood by making it less sticky and prevent clumping of the blood cells, they prevent the risk of developing heart attacks and stroke.

Manage Diabetes
Since Aloe Vera contains antidiabetic properties, they help manage diabetes by stabilising blood sugar levels. They also augment circulatory health thus preventing numbness in the hands and legs, one of the major symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Prevents Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Aloe Vera helps balance blood chemistry improving the viscosity of the blood. This helps maintain healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels, improving cardiac performance.

Protects renal health
According to recent studies Aloe Vera, is beneficial for particular kinds of renal diseases as they help flush out excess water from the body. They prevent renal diseases caused by Type 2 diabetes.  This was evident in rats with diabetic induced kidney disease who when ingested with aloe vera showed remarkable improvement in their condition. They protect the body against the risk of kidney stones by defending oxalates from invading the body.

Encourages Gynaecological Health
The miracle herb aids healthy functioning of the uterus and regulates menstruation and cure fibroids and ovarian cysts with herbal treatment. Since they contain antimicrobic properties, they impede fungal bacterial and viral infections like herpes and Candida infections thereby preventing vaginal itching. The plants anti-inflammatory substances protect against gynaecological related inflammations.

Provides First Aid solution
Aloe Vera comes in handy and acts as an excellent first aid solution. They make excellent dressing for wounds by increasing the blood flow, protecting the skin against harmful bacteria and infections thus hastening the healing process.  They also cure third degree burns, reinstate normal skin and prevent blisters. They protect the tissue damage from frostbite and protect the skin from the harsh rays of the skin preventing sunburns.

Treats Skin Ailments
Aloe Vera is very effective in treating and preventing skin disorders, due to its ability to seep through the multiple layers of the skin. Therefore, it is beneficial for disorders such as herpes, eczema, psoriasis, Lichen Planus, dermatitis and skin allergies.

Support Dental Health
Aloe Vera is useful for strengthening the gums and promoting strong healthy teeth. Most toothpaste available in the market contains Aloe Vera as the main ingredient therefore preventing bad breath. As an alternative remedy, massaging the gums and teeth with Aloe Vera may be very useful.

Aloe Vera Benefits For Beauty

Enhances skin health
Pampering the skin with Aloe Vera provides wonderful benefits for the skin. Therefore, it is widely used as a main ingredient in many beauty products and cosmetics to enhance the skin tone.

Moisturiser
The amazing moisturising substances in the plant provide ample hydration, getting rid of dead cells, keeping the skin soft, supple and glowing.

Pigmentation
They reduce dark spots pigmentation dark patchy, dry flaky skin and freckles rendering a healthy glow to the face.

Acne
The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera prevent the outbreak of acne and pimples, healing the lesions and the acne scars effectively.

Wrinkles
Aloe Vera has the capability of stimulating the production of collagens and elastins, resulting in skin rejuvenation and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Complexion
Aloe Vera is a wonderful remedy for removing suntan and for promoting a glowing even complexion devoid of dark patches.

Antiaging
Aloe Vera revitalises the skin, prevents ageing by eliminating dead cells and promoting a skin as good as new.
 
Stretch Marks
Aloe Vera works wonders with stretch marks by eliminating traces of them.

Nails
A good massage to lacklustre nails with Aloe Vera helps strengthen and restore their sheen.

Oily skin
Aloe Vera with astringent properties reduce excessive production of the sebaceous glands thus reducing the oil production on the face.

Alopecia
The best treatment for hairloss Aloe Vera containing anti-inflammatory properties cure alopecia and reduces hairloss.

Hair growth
Aloe Vera increases hair growth and stimulates growth in balding areas.

Moisturiser
Application of Aloe Vera gel strengthens and moisturises the hair root preventing dry flaky scalp.

Conditioner
Aloe Vera acts as an excellent conditioner and keeps the luscious locks manageable and attractive.

Dandruff
Aloe Vera is an excellent remedy for treating dandruff.  Massaging aloe Vera gel to the affected parts besides reducing prevents further occurrence.

Aloe vera and its Uses

Aloe Vera is one of the most famous plants in the world, and is has been used frequently in history for its medicinal properties. Legend has it that the Aloe Vera was Cleopatra's beauty secret, is mentioned in the Bible in over a dozen passages, and now has scientific research to support its benefits. The Aloe Vera plant is easy to grow even in cold climates and many people grow it as a house plant. Aloe Vera extracts can drank as a juice, applied as a topical lotion or taken in dried extract capsules. When you are purchasing gel or juice, look at the concentration of the product to ensure its not diluted and you are buying pure Aloe Vera.

What's in Aloe Vera gel:


• Water
• 20 minerals
• 12 vitamins
• 18 amino acids
• 200 active plant compounds (phytonutrients)

1. Makeup Remover - Nature provides the answer to safely removing your eye makeup and gentle for the delicate skin around your eyes. Aloe is a perfect alternative to oil based removers, plus you know exactly what ingredients being applied on your skin. Refrigerated Aloe Vera Gel soaked in cotton balls also provide a great compress for tired, puffy eyes. 

2. Skin & Sunburn Soother - Acne, eczema, and skin irritation respond well to the natural antiseptics in Aloe. Apply gel 2-3 times a day to the area until it is healed. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol which makes it a great way to sooth sunburns. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn.

3. Natural Shaving Gel and Aftershave - Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory thanks to its enzymes and with its high water content, it is very hydrating. It provides a smooth surface on your skin giving you a very close shave. Aloe also can be used as an aftershave to prevent razor burn.

4. Wrinkle Repair - Skin loves Vitamins C and E which are present in Aloe, helping to improve skins firmness and keep it hydrated. Combining virgin coconut oil can make a creamier way to supplement nutrients, essential fats and moisture. Aloe Vera gel penetrates skin almost four times faster than water, and its super emollient qualities help it moisturize the under layers of skin.

5. Internal Health - Loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B12, C, E, Folic Acid and niacin, Aloe helps replenish vitamins and amino acids to our diets. What better way than by drinking in these vitamin benefits of Aloe Vera juice while building the body's defense system naturally against stress. Start in small amounts and check with your doctor before beginning an Aloe Vera regimen.

A great started for supplementing Aloe Vera to your diet is through juicing. Start small with these two recipes, and later you can add in more aloe.

Exotic Aloe Cocktail
  • 1-2 cup pineapple
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 green apple
  • 2 tbsp aloe vera juice
  • 2-4 tbsp of water (optional)
Aloe Vera Good Juice
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 green apples
  • 1 orange
  • 2 tbsp of aloe vera juice
  • 2-4 tbsp of water (optional)

Monday, April 29, 2013

Aloe Vera Face Pack for Mature and Dry skin

Aloe Vera Face Pack for Mature and Dry skin:

Ingredients:

Aloe vera, Almonds.
Method:
  • Add crushed almonds to the aloe vera gel and mix properly to form a paste.
  • Apply on face and neck and let it sit for 15 minutes before you wash it off.

Aloe Vera Face Pack for Dry and Combination skin

Aloe Vera Face Pack for Dry and Combination skin:

Ingredients:

Aloe vera, olive oil, Shea butter.
Method:
  • Mash aloe vera gel, olive oil and shea butter to form a paste and apply on face and neck.
  • Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it with cold water. This will seal in the moisture into your skin and leave it fresh and clean.
Try these 10 effective and easy aloe vera face packs regularly for a flawless glowing skin.
Also check out this video on how to make simple aloe vera face masks at home:


Aloe Vera Face Scrub for Dead skin

Aloe Vera Face Scrub for Dead skin:

Ingredients:

Aloe vera, Cucumber, Oatmeal.
Method:
  • Blend cucumber dices and aloe vera gel to form a paste. Add oatmeal to this mixture and mix properly.
  • Spread the paste gently on your face and massage in circular motion.
  • Let it sit for 10 minutes or so before rinsing it off.