health

Three surprising ways you can use aloe vera at home

You may have seen aloe vera gel on the pharmacy shelf or even fresh at your grocer or health food store. It looks useful and natural, but for most people, it's left at the store for someone else to purchase – someone who knows what it can do.

What is aloe vera exactly, you may be wondering? As per Medical News Today, "Aloe vera, sometimes described as a 'wonder plant,' is a short-stemmed shrub. Aloeis a genus that contains more than 500 species of flowering succulent plants. Many aloes occur naturally in North Africa. The leaves of aloe vera are succulent, erect, and form a dense rosette. Many uses are made from the gel obtained from the plant's leaves."

Join the in-the-know people who swear by aloe vera by using its glorious gel in these 3 incredible ways. Reaching for something that comes from nature is always a plus, and you'll become an aloe vera user for life once you give it a try. These 3 ways to use aloe vera are only a fraction of what it's great for, but surely this trio will be helpful to you immediately.

Removes makeup

Scrubbing with drying soap or using harsh and chemical-filled makeup remover pads or wipes are certainly not tender ways to treat your facial skin. Use aloe vera instead and notice how squeaky clean and fabulously fresh your face becomes.

Preventionsuggests, "Squeeze a dollop of pure aloe gel onto a cotton ball and swipe away the day. Since some minerals found in aloe are antibacterial, this face wash is ideal for sensitive skin, breakouts, and rosacea."

Using something that's so natural and refreshing will benefit your skin from the outside in. A little goes a long way, so you'll save money as you save your delicate skin. No more excuses for hitting the sack in a full face of makeup!

Banishes bad breath

Prevention also notes that aloe vera makes for a bad breath-buster. "When bad breath hits, drink up to ¼ cup pure aloe vera gel dissolved in a 1/2 cup of water or apple juice. Aloe vera contains an anti-inflammatory compound that soothes acid indigestion, a common cause of bad breath."

Healthlineadds, "The plant's natural ingredients, which include a healthy dose of vitamin C, can block plaque. It can also provide relief if you have bleeding or swollen gums."

Say "ahhh" to aloe… dentist's orders!

Soothes sunburn

With summer heating up, too much time in the hot summer sun can cause skin to burn and potentially peel. If you inadvertently forgot to use sunblock or simply spent too much time basking in the sun, aloe vera will come to the rescue to soothe that painful red sunburn.

As per Global Healing Center, "Whether it is a topical gel, lotion, or just breaking open a fresh leaf and rubbing it onto a problem area, aloe helps calm red, swollen, and irritated skin. One reason for its soothing properties is an enzyme called bradykinase that helps soothe agitated tissue." How Stuff Works explains, "Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol."

Before your burn gets the best of you, soothe your skin naturally and effectively with aloe vera. And the next time you're at the beach, be sure to protect yourself!

Aloe vera is a miracle! Say "aloha" to aloe to keep your body at its best.

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