Well, we all know that Aloe Vera is widely used in skin care products. It has therapeutic qualities and has been used for many centuries by Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, Indians. Aloe Vera does not belong to cactus family because of its fleshy long leaves have thorns. They belong to the family of Lilies. There are around 250 species of Aloe Vera. They grow almost anywhere in the world as they do not require special conditions to be cultivated. They can even absorb moisture from the air to survive.
Aloe Vera is called ‘Kumari‘ in Sanskrit, which means ‘young girl‘. The name is given because it is believed that the properties of this plant gives the woman their youth. Despite of its name, even men will benefit from this plant’s medicinal properties. 🙂
How many of us consume them at least once in a while?
Not many of us consume them on a regular basis because of its bland taste. Soft drinks uses pulp of Aloe Vera leaves.
Originally, it has pure bitter taste and the Ayurvedic medicine places this plant under Sattvic foods. This plant is suitable for all dosha types – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When it is used for intake, it is has tremendous and beneficial effect on our digestive system. It can be consumed in the form of juice or pulp.
SOME OF THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF ALOE VERA:
- Has antibacterial and antifungal properties
- Benefits and improves the function of the digestive system
- Heals skin problems
- Detoxifies our digestive system and improves function of our kidneys, liver and gallbladder
- Stimulates the white blood cells production in our body
- Strengthens our immune system
- It is a very useful nutritional supplement for patients before and after surgery
- It maintains good pH of our stomach
- Hydrates and strengthens our hair and scalp
- Reduces cholesterol level
- Improves heart function
and it is capable of having many more healing properties.
They play a wide role in Ayurvedic medicine treating skin allergies and also Leprosy. The leaves of this plant contains phytoconstituents that aids antiallergic actions.
RECIPE:
- Aloe Vera
- Buttermilk
- Salt (to taste) / Sugar
I would recommend that we take some time to cut the leaves fresh from the plant, cut the pulp into cubes and eat with buttermilk immediately after washing the pulp thoroughly many times. We do not have to consume the latex which is the very bitter part of the leaves. They can be used for the skin and hair. Aloe Vera leaves can be cut fresh as shown in the picture below for consumption in the early morning. It would benefit us immensely if we intake once in a week.
IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMING THEM FRESH:
We know that some items we find in supermarkets today might have been prepared a few weeks or months ago. During this process, nutrients are lost to a certain level. If we straight away bring the food from soil to our plate, the nutrients lost are much lesser.
It is a very good indoor plant that can be air purifier and also used for decoration purpose. Aloe Vera’s specialty is that these plants release oxygen at night while absorbing carbon dioxide thus purifying the quality of air. The plant does not need pampering and regular watering which results in easy maintenance.
