It is comforting to know that taking a single step into one’s garden is all it takes to find nature’s most affordable and wide-ranging apothecary, particularly when it concerns Aloe Vera. People have used this fleshy leafed plant medicinally for centuries. Unsurprisingly, it was a key ingredient in ancient embalming formulas. This is perhaps how it has progressed to one of the most popular natural skincare remedies of today.
Aloe Vera to Soothe Burns
The spiky green plant, Aloe Vera, is no new kid on the block. According to various articles around the web, including an article in the Adams County Cooperative Extension, of Penn State University, the fleshy green exotic is popular in kitchens and homes around the globe. You can find help from Aloe in its soothing anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in the case of mild stove burns and sunburn.
Use Aloe Vera as a Home Treatment
Small cuts and abrasions are rampant in houses with small children. When these types of minor accidents occur, the welfare of the child should come first. Natural cures and home remedies are generally a much better approach than conventional treatments, as there can be no seriously harmful chemicals hidden in the simple leaves of a plant. A young child is more likely to accept treatment if it comes from “Mother Nature” as opposed to “the Doctor”. The art of persuasion lies in the uncomplicated act of plucking leaves in the garden instead of rushing to the medicine cupboard. Using aloe for home treatments is never better than in moments like these.
Aloe Vera for Mosquito Bites
Insect bites are another common household affliction for which there can be no better cure than this succulent. Whether the average mosquito bite is plaguing you or whether you have suffered the painful zap of a random bee sting, Aloe Vera is the perfect cure.
In the case of a mosquito bite use your nails to make a small cross shape over the itchy bump, apply a small amount of sap and leave the area to dry. In the case of a bee sting you may want to gently apply sap at frequent intervals – until the tenderness is less noticeable. Healthy living, or rather healthy skincare, has never been easier.
Age of the Aloe Vera Plant
The rule of thumb is simple: the older the plant, the more likely it is to have a large amount of sap. In two-year-old plants, this liquid can easily be obtained by snapping the leaf at the thickest part and allowing the sap to ooze out over the afflicted area.
For younger, less juicy leaves, it may be a good idea to gently crush a small amount in a pestle and mortar and apply the resulting paste directly onto the burned or itchy area.
Alternatively, it is also possible to peel an Aloe Vera leaf. The green outer part of the leaf is tough and relatively dry so it is of no real use and can be removed. Once you have done this simply apply the inner white flesh of the leaf to the skin.
Simplicity of Aloe Vera Plants
The beauty of using this plant lies in its simplicity. When there is no time to run to the pharmacy to purchase a burn remedy or to the general store to search for a topical anti-inflammatory, there is probably no time to spend hours pounding, grinding and mixing a confusing array of ingredients together. In times where you need a quick fix, the advantage of Aloe is the knowledge that it is right where you need it: at home.
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