Aloe Vera Harvesting- Benefits -Side Effects- Know and Grow

Aloe Vera

        It is a succulent plant species from genus Aloe. It grows abundantly in dry warm region or tropical climate. It has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing benefits. Let’s list its uses and benefit.

Aloe Vera is known for its thick and fleshy leaves . The leaves contain gel. Gel is used by the people for tropical application. The gel contain most of beneficial bio active compound such as Vitamin , mineral,amino acid and antioxidant.

Aloe Vera uses and benefits

Antioxidant are important for health. A Poly phenol is a antioxidant present in it. Polyphsenol  along with other compound prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. This is the reason it is used for skin problem and for quick healing of wounds. Along with antibacterial properties Aloe Vera has antiviral and antiseptic properties

Aloe Vera is also used as mouthwash. It kills the plaque producing bacteria streptococcus mutants in mouth. This way Aloe Vera helps in prevention of tooth decay and build up healthy gum.

This plant is used in treatment of mouth ulcer also.The gel when applied on mouth ulcer it accelerate healing of wound as well as reduce the pain.

Aloe Vera for skin

Aloe Vera gel when applied onto the skin it solve the skin problem like acne, blemishes  and ageing etc. It helps in keeping skin healthy. Aloe Vera gel has cooling effect and anti inflammatory properties . This properties help in treatment of sun burn and burnt skin. Aloe Vera gel is natural moisturizer. It  keep our  skin hydrated. The gel contain Vitamin C, E and beta carotene in abundance and fight against skin aging. It help in production of collagen in the body . The antibacterial and anti inflammatory property of gel reduces the blemishes and diminish aging lines.

Aloe Vera for Hair and scalp

Aloe Vera  gel helps in growth of new hair . It is remedial solution for people with baldness. It increases blood circulation to the scalp and helps in new hair growth. It also provide essential mineral  and vitamin. For those who have dandruff problem aloe Vera also work on it. It fight against fungal infection, excess oil and dry condition of scalp. Aloe  Vera also act as a conditioner for hair. Thus maintain shine of the hair.   

Side effects

Aloe Vera is known for its benefit. This plant store water in leaf which make them fleshy and this is also known as gel . The gel is either applied tropically for benefits or consume in the form of juice.  It solves problem of skin, hair and health. But we know that excess of anything is bad. The Aloe Vera plant not suit to everyone who wish to use it for benefit. It has side effect. Here I am listing some side effect of it.

• Aloe Vera leaf contain latex which is found underneath the plant skin. many people can have allergy  from this. It will lead to stomach problem to them
• Many people are allergic to the Aloe Vera gel. They face problem of redness of skin, irritation and burning sensation.
• Pregnant woman should avoid aloe Vera juice intake. It can lead to uterine contraction. It is also associated with miscarriage and greater risk of birth defects .
• Diabetic patient should also avoid aloe Vera juice. The juice imbalance their electrolyte and lead to lower blood sugar.  so It is better to consult doctor before taking it.
• Aloe Vera juice is also seen to lower potassium in our body. This lead to irregular heartbeat, weakness and fatigue.
• The bio active compound present in aloe Vera might interfere with liver detoxification process. 
• Long term use of large amount of aloe latex might cause diarrhea, kidney problem, blood in urine and heart disturbance.                                                                                        

Aloe Vera Growth

We have seen how aloe Vera work as miracle to our problem of skin, hair etc. Everyone now wants to have this plant in their  house plant list.

Soil

Aloe Vera is low maintenance. It grow easily even if neglected . Aloe Vera is succulent  hence it needed succulent light growth condition (less water and warm condition). For this we have to take well drained so that it do not hold the water. Potting mix should have half normal soil and half peat moss enrich soil. Also make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage hole .

Light

Proper light is another thing to care. This plant like bright sunlight. Aloe Vera do best in temperature between 55 to 80 Fahrenheit. Six to eight hour of sunlight is good for this plant.it show slow growth in indoor and well in outdoor.

Water

Aloe Vera does not like much water, Since it is a succulent plant it like desert like condition. So water it when soil is completely dried. Over watering lead to fungus attack to the plant and root rotten condition.water this plant more during summer and less in winter. Aloe Vera plant go into state of dormancy in winter and mature plant does not need much water.

                                                                                   

How to harvest the plant?

Harvesting plant for juice or gel is simple. we can even harvest and make our own soap,lotion and other skin care product.For this we need to have mature aloe plant. Mature plant have higher concentration of active ingredient.Hold a strap of aloe leaf and with the help of a knife or scissor cut it from the base of plant. Now in order to use it first cut the thorny edges by just slicing it off with the help of a knife make the leaf rest for 10 minutes in order to shed it the a loin ,now peel the surface of leaf to get there gel.You can store this gel in a container which can last for a week and with preservatives like (vitamin C and vitamin E) for months And with the help of preservatives like vitamin C and vitamin E it can last for months too.