Aloe Vera Benefits And Its Age-Reversing Effects.

One of the supplements I have added to my diet is aloe vera, mainly because, having formerly suffered with acne for years, I am always looking for food and supplements that are going to nourish and improve the health and appearance of my skin.

Aloe can be used directly on the skin to soothe acne, burns, bruises and other skin ailments, or it can be taken internally, where it has been shown to help inflammatory bowel diseases - remember that the health of the gut, is often reflected in the skin!

When I wanted to further my research of aloe vera, I also came across the fact that there has been a study carried out showing it's power in significantly improving already wrinkled and aged skin and also increases elasticity (when consumed). Being 23, for me this isn't a pressing issue, however having a preventative mindset is better than a "I'll fix it only when it becomes a problem" mindset. The great thing about aloe vera, however, is that for those of us who didn't realise there were preventative measures we could have taken in the first place, aloe actually reverses the signs of ageing - it's never too late!

You can find the study that proved its effectiveness, here:
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aloe-gel-significantly-improves-wrinkles-and-elasticity-photoaged-human-skin

Aloe vera also has a number of other health benefits, which will have you running to the store, or, if you're in luck, picking it from your garden:
- Effective in the treatment of burns (including sunburn),
- Shown to stop the proliferation of skin cancer cells,
- Helps prevent cervical cancer,
- Topical application has been shown to cure psoriasis,
- It's great for your teeth - the use of aloe vera in toothpaste and mouthwash has been shown to reduce plaque and periodontal conditions.
- It has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, which means it is helpful for those with diabetes,
- Speeds up the recovery of wounds,
- Has been found to improve Alzheimers.

The world is full of incredible plants that have astounding benefits and uses and whenever I look into a specific plant I always end up wanting to incorporate it into my lifestyle and aloe vera is no different. If you suffer with any of the ailments above or just want to use aloe vera for it's fountain-of-youth properties be sure to let me know how you get on with it!