By now, everyone knows that the succulent plant aloe vera has tons of medicinal properties. The benefits of using aloe vera for skin care are well known, and even in olden times, people have been using the pulp of aloe vera to create homemade skin products. It’s an herb that grows wild in Madagascar and in parts of Africa, but other varieties grow well in countries such as the United States. There are more than 300 varieties of Aloe Vera plant, and each contain wondrous minerals that can rejuvenate hair and skin.

The pulp has extremely high water content. When ground to a paste, the pulp looks like a gel that one can apply on the skin. You can call it a natural moisturizer, with extra features. It may even help with wound healing and scar removal.

Tons of products have already been made out of this plant, and there are more coming. This is because research on the therapeutic properties of aloe vera is continuous, and scientists won’t stop discovering many more uses for this plant. Lotions, shampoos and even shaving creams are boosting their sales just by adding aloe vera extracts in their products. It has been used to shrink warts, encourage hair growth and treat scars.

Aloe vera has also been used in therapeutic drinks. Some ethnobotanists have claimed that Aloe Vera helps relieve symptoms of insomnia, heartburn, congestion, arthritis, asthma and diabetes. A drink of this has been said to lower blood sugar level.

Perhaps the most popular use of aloe vera has something to do with anti-aging. It is said that washing with aloe vera daily will make skin more elastic and receptive to moisturizers. Skin becomes supple after aloe vera treatment. In many households, aloe vera is used as a first aid to burns and scratches. This is why a lot of sunburn creams also have aloe vera components as ingredients.

If your skin is itchy, aloe vera may just relieve you if applied directly as macerated pulp or as an ointment. Infection due to bacteria will heal faster if aloe vera is used after thorough washing with the usual antibacterial soaps. Minor wounds and bruises on kids are often remedied with aloe vera. In a sense, if you have an aloe vera plant in your backyard, you can save the money you normally have to expend to buy bandages and ointments.

It helps in reducing swelling and relieving pain. The plant gel has been known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties to help you from most of your problems. As the gel enters your skin very easily it becomes one of the biggest sources of anti-aging products.