Aloe vera gel is a natural, non-toxic substance. The gel within an aloe vera plant is made up of many components including a variety of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and proteins. This gel is a natural scar inhibitor, cell growth stimulator, pain inhibitor, coagulating agent, and antibiotic. The gel from an aloe vera plant can be used to treat many skin conditions. Aloe vera gel, however, is not a medicine; it is not designed to replace prescription medications.
The gel from this plant offers many practical applications. Used topically on sunburns, blisters, scalds, insect bites, and rashes, it can help soothe the skin and prevent infection. This natural plant product is one of the best moisturizers available, absorbing quickly into the skin. The pure gel from an aloe vera plant leaf can regenerate skin cells, allowing skin to heal with minimal scarring. Stimulating skin cells gives the skin a healthy glow and keeps the skin fresh.
Many people find relief from shingles, eczema, and psoriasis after the application of aloe gel to affected areas. The natural anti-bacterial properties of this gel make it an ideal oral hygiene product for use on the tongue, teeth, cheeks, and tongue. Many doctors recommend using it after radiation therapy for general skin care.
While most people use the gel for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory properties, others employ the gel for beauty enhancement applications. The gel smoothes, moisturizes, cleans and softens the skin. Aloe vera gel can be applied topically to protect the skin from the effects of smoke, exhaust fumes and the sun's rays. It can also be used to reduce wrinkles, sun spot, blemishes and age spots. Aloe gel is often used to soothe and heal the skin over areas that have been recently waxed.
Some of the best pet care products employ aloe vera gel. Many manufacturers produce detangling and grooming products that contain aloe vera gel. Moisture is key in maintaining a soft, manageable coat that is less prone to tangling. Aloe vera gel can also be used to heal damaged skin on pets and neutralize some pet odors.
Not only does the gel from an aloe vera plant offer healing properties for humans, it offers healing properties for the plant itself. Since the aloe vera plant's leaves have no woody parts or stalks, they are held upright simply by the gel's water pressure. When an aloe plant is cut or otherwise damaged, the plant's gel reacts to seal and heal the wound.