How many of you have an Aloe Vera plant in your home? And what do you know about it?
It seems I’ve been recommending Aloe Vera Juice to clients left and right over the past months, forcing me to realize that the good people of the world are missing out on some valuable information regarding this common household plant. Because really, it’s pretty good on your body, but it’s so much better in your body.
Most people know about Aloe Vera in the context of treating burns- from sun burns to stove burns- but that's just so topical, only scraping the surface of this plant’s uses. The name for Aloe Vera in Sanskrit is “Kumari” which translates to “Young Girl”, as colloquial wisdom deigns that those who ingest this plant regularly will keep their youth and beauty much longer than those who don’t. Aloe Vera is both a Rejuvenative and an Alterative herb, meaning it renews the cells and tissues of the body, and cleans it out. Aloe Vera is particularly beneficial for the female reproductive system, the blood, and the liver.
Let’s break it down, Ayurvedic-style:
Aloe Vera is tridoshic, meaning it balances all the elements (doshas) in the body-air, fire, and earth. This alone places a high value on the plant. It’s well known for balancing Pitta, the fire element in the body, assisting with Pitta-type digestive ailments like acid reflux and heart burn. ½ cup (4 oz) of Aloe Vera after lunch or dinner can go the distance in preventing burning digestive discomforts.
In fact, it tones all the agnis of body, not just the primary digestive agni (fire) that breaks down and assimilates your food. According to Ayurveda, the fire element is present in your blood, skin, eyes, and other digestive organs like the liver and pancreas. Aloe regulates sugar and fat metabolism; your liver will thank you for a daily dose.
As an Alterative herb, Aloe Vera cleans fatty solvents from your blood, helping with circulation and the transfer of nutrients to the tissues of the body, assisting in rebuilding body tissues and healthy cells. With its alkaline nature, aloe is a natural anti-inflammatory and thus combats chronic pain in the body while boosting the immune system.
One notable side effect of a happier liver and cleaner blood flow is clearer, brighter skin. Women may also notice fewer breakouts around their periods after adding Aloe Vera juice to their diets.
As mentioned before, Aloe Vera is an emmenagogue, meaning it facilitates menstruation, helping to keep the cycle regular and blood flow at healthy levels (rather than torrential). It has the side effect of helping those who suffer from migraines around this time of the month as well. However, because of this, Aloe Vera should be ingested with caution during pregnancy- especially in the early months or for those who miscarry easily. And it should be reintroduced slowly after the birth of the child.
Aloe Vera is a purgative! Meaning it has a laxative effect. ½ cup (4 oz) before bed can produce a healthy (but not scary!) bowel movement the next morning- which is an ideal way to start the day. The primary seat of Pitta in the body is the small intestine- this is where most of your food gets broken down and nutrients are absorbed into the body. Aloe cleans and tones this digestive tube, assisting in the prevention of deposits of food getting stuck in the pockets and later becoming inflamed (diverticulitis). It’s fairly common for tar-like plaque to build up along the wall of the intestines, inhibiting the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, and in some cases, causing diarrhea. Aloe helps to scrape it away and keep the membranes of the intestines in top nutrient-absorbing shape.
So how do you take Aloe Vera?
You’ll want to go to your local health food store and purchase some organic Aloe Vera Juice (not gel) - Inner Fillet (not whole leaf). Lily of the Desert is a great brand. I recommend purchasing the juice, rather than making it - especially in the beginning, as the outer rinds of the plant are somewhat toxic to the body and can cause significant digestive discomfort and pain. If you get to the point where you’d like to make your own, please do thorough research.
You can drink ½ cup before bed in your daily routine, or mix a pinch of turmeric with 2 TSP and take that 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Taking the aloe before bed will highlight the benefit to your intestines and immune system, while taking it periodically throughout the day with the turmeric is a great general tonic, particularly for those with digestive imbalances or experience chronic pain.
If the bitter taste is upsetting, mix the aloe with water.
Avoid Aloe Vera drinks, which are often loaded with sugar, and negate the wonderful benefits of the plant.
Enjoy your new found fountain of youth!
