Part of the Lily family (scientific name: Liliaceae), aloe vera is quite a wonderful medicinal plant that has a lot of nutritional benefits. Different parts of the plant can be used for a wide variety of purposes – both internally and externally. With all its medicinal help, it is no wonder that this plant is now being dubbed, the “Shrub of Life.”

Here are the benefits you gain when you use aloe vera, particularly fresh aloe:

1. Aloe vera has a ton of vitamins and minerals.

This incredible plant comes with nutrients, including:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B6
• Choline
• Folic acid
• Calcium
• Zinc
• Chromium
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Sodium

2. Aloe vera is a popular type of adaptogen.

An adaptogen boosts your body’s ability to adapt to changes that happen to your environment, making you resist illness better. When you consume aloe vera once a week, your body’s system will become more balanced as it stimulates the mechanisms that help the body to defend itself and adjust to the surroundings.

3. Aloe vera helps your digestive system.

When your digestive system does not function properly, this can lead to a number of diseases. Aloe can soothe the digestive tract and help cleanse it, so your digestion is improved. It helps eliminate diarrhea and constipation, so you can have regular elimination cycles.

4. This plant helps in detoxification.

You can compare aloe vera to chia seeds and seaweeds, which are gelatinous plant foods. When you consume such plants, the gels pass through the intestinal tract and they absorb the toxins, which will then be eliminated through your colon.

5. Aloe vera is alkaline.

The fact that this plant is alkaline makes your body stronger in fighting off diseases. If you live on mostly acidic foods, you need aloe vera’s help to maintain the balance between the acidity and alkalinity of your body.

6. Aloe vera boosts your cardiovascular health.

While there are not a lot of studies on aloe vera’s benefits to people’s cardiovascular health, there are evidences that show how the plant’s extract multiplies the transportation of oxygen and also helps in boosting the diffusion ability of red blood cells. IN return, this regulates blood pressure, improves circulation, lowers cholesterol, and therefore lowers your risk of acquiring heart disease.

7. Aloe vera is your skin’s friend.

Aloe vera, especially the gel, is a well-known analgesic, which helps in relieving wound pain. You can topically apply the gel to abrasions, burns, bug bites, and psoriasis. This plant is also antipruritic, which means it can be used to prevent or relieve skin itching.

8. Aloe vera fights infections.

The Shrub of Life is a disinfectant, antimicrobial, antibiotic, germicidal, antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal. With its active ingredients, including salicylic acid, lupeol, sulfur, cinnamic acid, phenol, and urea nitrogen, microorganisms that cause diseases will not be able to enter your body.

Aloe vera is indeed a great medicinal plant, making it a great alternative to some of the over-the-counter medications today.