It possesses 6 antiseptic agents : Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulfur. These acts as antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents, meaning that Aloe gel can be used to relieve rashes from bug bites, allergic reactions, and those from plants such as poison ivy or oak.
Finally, Aloe vera pulp reduces inflammation on the outside and inside of your skin. It soothes and heals burns and abrasions by preventing infection and promoting skin cell renewal.
You can even use Aloe juice each morning as a mouthwash or apply the gel directly to you gums and teeth to promote oral health and fight the bacteria that causes gum disease and bad breath. It even works just as effectively as chlorhexidine in preventing periodontal diseases (2).
How To Grow This Miracle Plant
Aloe vera is a succulent, meaning that it’s very simple to grow. It is also easily harvested and propagated. It can be purchased from your local garden store or health food store. You can also grow a new plant by transplanting the pups of a mature plant.
Aloe thrives in the same kind of soil as most cacti. This means obtaining premixed cacti soil mix or make it yourself by mixing five parts potting soil, two parts pumice and one part coir or one part soil and one part sand. Place the soil in a well-draining pot such as terra cotta (3).
Although Aloe is typically kept indoors, it can survive outdoors in most climates. During the warmer months, the dew provided from sitting outside on the deck overnight is generally sufficient for watering Aloe plants. However, it should never be allowed to sit in the rain.
During cool or cold months you must move your Aloe inside. Like other cacti, it does not do well in extremely low temperatures. The plant also requires less frequent watering during these months. A good rule of thumb is to water it once the top three inches of soil are dry.
Aloe vera plants that have reached the age of five years old have the most potent properties. Many people only transplant them once every five years, but a new plant can be relocated once after its third year of life. It’s also important to wait 5-6 days before watering a newly planted Aloe.