Have you got an aloe vera plant? Here’s why you should get one and the best ways to use it… for a better you.
If you love plants, you probably have an aloe vera plant at home. For those you are not used to having plants at home, I urge you to get this plant and enjoy its miraculous powers.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants on the planet and taking care of it is easy.
How to take care of & where to position your aloe vera plant
3 simple steps to get started:
Step 1
The first step in aloe vera plant care is to know that this plant is a succulent. Like cacti, succulents do best in dry conditions. When growing aloe vera plants, plant them in a regular potting soil mix that has been amended with additional perlite ( a volcanic soil added to a plant mix to increase the aeration and water holding capacity ) or building sand.
Step 2
Make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Water aloe vera plants deeply, but infrequently. To discourage rot, allow the soil to dry at least 1 to 2 inches deep between waterings. About every 2-3 weeks and even more sparingly during the winter works well. Aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.
Step 3
One important thing to remember in the care of aloe vera houseplants is that they have proper light. Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in south- or west-facing windows.
Now that you have aloe vera growing happily in your home make sure you use it well. It is not without reason that the plant is called the ‘miracle plant’.
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Aloe vera is useful for many purposes, some of which are enumerated below:
1. It Purifies the Air at Home
The plant filters harmful substances from the air making sure the air you breathe at home is oxygenated and fresh. According to experts the aloe plant is better than nine (machine) air-purifiers. Put a pot of aloe in a room under 24-hour light irradiation, the plant can remove 90% of the formaldehyde in the air. Moreover, it can eliminate harmful microorganisms and absorb dust in the air.
2. Got sunburn? Don’t fret
Aloe vera has a moisturising, cooling, and healing effect when you apply it to your skin. Therefore, the gel from the plant works perfectly on sunburnt skin. Not surprisingly, many sunburn products contain aloe vera.
3. Say Goodbye to Dandruff
Do you suffer from dandruff? Then you can fix this with a homemade aloe vera hair mask.
Cut a long stem of aloe vera in half lengthwise and remove the gel (about 20 gms) from the plant with a spoon. Put this gel in a bowl and add about a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil (10 ml) one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix it into a smooth paste and spread the mask on your scalp. Leave it for a while and then wash your hair. Your dandruff will improve and may even disappear completely
4. Helps Treat Scars and Wounds
Aloe vera can heal wounds faster and reduce scars. According to research, the gel of an aloe vera plant is said to make small wounds heal a lot faster.
Add a few drops of 15% arnica oil or 20–25% tincture to a teaspoon (10ml) of aloe vera gel and apply on your scar or wound. Do not apply on open wounds.
5. The Answer to Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, it can be very hard to find a makeup remover that doesn’t sting or make your skin go red. Look no further for a makeup remover! Put some gel from your plant in a bowl, add a few drops of lavender (good for normal and mature skin) or tea tree (good for oily and acne skin) essential oil and gently apply it on your skin. Wipe off with a damp cotton pad and rinse thoroughly.
TIP: Scrape off some aloe vera gel and store it in a small glass jar in the fridge. It lasts for a week. Store smaller quantities (50 gms) at a time, depending on your usage.
6. Eyes get refreshed
Tired and strained eyes get soothed with cold aloe vera gel pad. Soak some cold aloe vera gel on two damp cotton pads and place on eyelids for at least 20 minutes. It’s heavenly after you’ve had a long tiring day!
Keep the Gel Cool — Always.
Hot weather, humidity are the most critical influencers of aloe vera’s freshness. So, if there’s only one thing you do, always (always) store the gel in the refrigerator. While the aloe vera plant thrives in warm and tropical climates, the tables turn once you cut off a leaf. The gel and its composition instantly start to decompose due to natural enzymatic reactions, and normal bacteria on the plant. This reduces the function of its active compounds, but refrigeration can help slow things down. This will keep the gel fresh for about five to seven days.
Today, you can find aloe vera as an ingredient in various medicines and cosmetics that you end up paying a steep price for. Plus, how do you know how pure it is? To make certain you’re getting the true-as-blue gel, get yourself an aloe vera plant at home, give it love and care, and enjoy the super benefits that nature offers you through this versatile plant.
