The aloe plant "Aloe Vera" is nature's gift to mankind. "Aloe Vera" means, "true aloe". Of the many varieties of aloes or desert lilies, Aloe Vera is the most beneficial and widely used species. The Aloe Vera plant has thick and long leaves, which have spikes and contain a clear viscous substance.

This viscous substance or gel is used extensively in making products like cosmetics, moisturizers, lotions, sunscreen applications and burn creams. Juice extracted from the leaves is helpful in treating digestive disorders.

Aloe Vera owes its healing properties to the various Vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, minerals and anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agents present in its leaves. The balance and combination in which these constituents are present contribute to the effectiveness of the gel and juice.

Benefits of Aloe Vera gel and juice are:

1. The gel helps in healing and soothing sunburns.
2. It has a cooling effect on the skin.
3. It has a moisturizing and softening effect on the skin.
4. It has a soothing effect on skin damaged by burns specially those from radiations, insect bites, wounds, acne, rashes, irritations or other topical conditions.
5. It can expedite the healing of skin injuries, wounds and burns, as it is a cellular regenerator.
6. It is believed to improve the effectiveness of sunscreen applications.
7. It relieves itching as it has the itch-inhibiting mineral Magnesium Lactate.
8. It is recommended by dermatologists to expedite healing after facial dermabrasion, a process, which removes scars from the uppermost layers of the facial skin.
9. Consumption of the juice can fight diarrhea other intestinal ailments by destroying certain parasites or bacteria
10. The juice, taken internally, can also act as a laxative and thus ease constipation.
11. Both the gel and the juice are believed to kill bacteria and fungus.
12. Consumption of the juice helps in general healing.

One can plant the readily available Aloe Vera at home and as soon as a burn or cut takes place, a leaf spike can be cut off and the oozing gel can be directly applied to the wound.

Thus the anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, cell-regenerating, soothing and itch-inhibiting properties of Aloe Vera make it one of the most valuable assets of nature. Aloe Vera will keep growing in its status, as its usefulness will widen with the continuous study and research by scientists on its properties and possible benefits.

A number of the presently established uses have already got integrated into the modern-day alternative medicines.