sPOTLIGHT iNGREDIENT: aLOE vERA
The succulent aloe vera plant is considered as a miraculous plant due to its amazing health benefits and healing properties. Aloe vera plant is actually a native of Northern Africa, Madagascar and Arabian peninsula, though nowadays, it can be found in India and many arid areas as well.
Aloe vera is basically prized for its medicinal properties. It has been used for a long time to heal a number of health conditions, right from burns, skin infections, digestive ailments like indigestion, constipation, and heartburn to joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
Aloe vera, its gel, as well as the juice are highly valued for their benefits for the skin. It is widely used for soothing dry skin, skin rash, acne and for preventing wrinkles and fine lines.
The benefits of aloe vera juice for hair are equally well-known. The presence of important nutrients like, amino acids, proteins, minerals and vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, and E make it an excellent treatment for damaged hair. It can help to get rid of a number of problems associated with the hair and scalp.
Let’s find out some more facts on aloe vera benefits for hair.
Benefits of Aloe Vera
Hair problems like excessive hair fall, dry and damaged hair are quite common these days, owing to high levels of pollution as well as poor nutrition. Injudicious use of hairstyling products can also be held responsible for causing damage to hair. Aloe vera juice, with its excellent moisturizing properties can serve as a natural conditioner to deeply moisturize the hair strands. So, if you are struggling with dry, damaged and unmanageably frizzy hair, then aloe vera juice is the answer. You can use aloe vera juice in place of your regular conditioner to make your hair silky, soft and smooth. It works as an excellent hair conditioner for dry and damaged hair.
Apart from moisturizing hair, aloe vera can help to prevent hair loss. In fact, one of the most important benefits of aloe vera is prevention of hair loss and stimulation of hair growth. The enzymes found in aloe vera gel and juice act as hair growth stimulators. So, you can use aloe vera to promote hair growth. It can also help to control one of the most common scalp problems, known as dandruff. To get healthy hair and dandruff free scalp, you can apply the gel or juice of aloe vera on your scalp before taking a shower, leave it on for about half an hour, and then rinse it off.
People suffering from oily hair can also benefit from aloe vera. The juice or gel acts as a natural astringent and will rid your hair of excess oil, without the use of harsh chemicals. Mix it with lemon juice, leave on for a few minutes and wash off with shampoo. Or add a few drops of aloe vera juice to your shampoo when you wash your hair.
The soothing effect of aloe vera can also prove effective for treating itchy scalp. Dandruff is one of the important factors that can cause hair loss, and by treating dandruff, aloe vera can help to reduce hair fall. Aloe vera can also be used for treating the condition known as seborrhea, which is characterized by excessive secretion of sebum. Excess ‘sebum’ or oil can get mixed with dirt to form crusts on the scalp, which can damage the hair follicles. Seborrhea is the cause of hair loss in many people, and they can use aloe vera for prevention of hair loss. However, those suffering from severe seborrhea should seek medical advice instead of relying entirely on aloe vera to treat this condition.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Hair
In order to derive all the benefits of aloe vera juice, it is important to know how to use it. A large number of aloe vera products for hair can be found in health stores. You can use such products by following the instructions given on the package. But, if you have your own aloe vera plant, then you can extract its juice and use it for hair care. To extract the juice from the aloe vera plant, cut off a mature leaf and squeeze it. Now, you can use this juice to replace your regular hair conditioner. Apply the juice directly on the scalp after shampooing your hair. Leave it for about 5 minutes and then rinse off. You can also mix a small amount of lemon juice to aloe vera juice to enhance the effects of this natural conditioner.
Another method is to extract the gel of aloe vera plant and use it to make a natural shampoo. You can mix the aloe vera gel with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Wheat germ oil is known for its excellent moisturizing properties. You can also use aloe vera juice to give your hair an overnight treatment. For this, mix aloe vera juice with olive oil. Mix both the ingredients well and then apply this mixture to your hair. Let the hair dry naturally and then cover it up with a silk scarf or shower cap. The next day, rinse the hair completely or shampoo your hair as usual. Aloe vera juice, if used without oil should not be left on the scalp for long durations as it can dry out the scalp and make the hair look stiff and coarse.
Even though aloe vera has tremendous advantages, you should be aware it can sometimes cause allergic reactions, though they are not very common. If you haven’t used aloe vera for hair and skincare before, do a patch test before use or ask a doctor for advice.
About Aloe Vera
The clear gel found within the leaves are used topically to treat burns & other ailments. Aloe is also known for its moisturizing properties. Cleopatra is rumored to have used it to keep her skin smooth & supple. It is believed that the combination of enzymes, amino & fatty acids, minerals, vitamins & other substances are what give aloe vera its healing properties!
DIY Aloe Vera Recipes
Oats and Aloe Exfoliant
Ground Oats – One tablespoon
Ground almonds – One full tablespoon
Honey – One tablespoon
Aloe Vera Gel – One tablespoon
Method
One should keep all the ingredients in a big bowl & gently mix them. Apply this mixture on the face and neck before performing toning and after cleansing
Apply this mixture by using your hands in circular motions. When the mixture gets dried, then one should rinse it off with lukewarm water. This mixture should be applied only after using mask
Aloe Vera Skin Care Body Cream
Ingredients
Lanolin – 1 full teaspoon
Gel of Aloe Vera – 1 Full Cup
Coconut Oil – 1/3 Cup
Almond oil – 3/4 Cup
Beeswax – 3/4 ounce
Essential Oil – 1 1/2 teaspoon
Vitamin e Oil – 1 Teaspoon
Method
Lanolin & Vitamin E Oil should be mixed by using a blender or a food processor. One should take a coconut oil & microwave beeswax in a large container and then heat it for about half a minute & then mix it with other ingredients.
Then the mixture should be again heated for about ten seconds until the large pieces melts completely. Then this mixture should be mixed in almond oil & again heat it if needed. Then use a blender or processor for making it thin. After the mixing the oil, the cream turns into a creamy white color.
Then mix the liquefied oils and if one obtains mayonnaise like constancy, then immediately discontinue the blender or food processor. Then pour the cream into the jars and one can notice that the lotion has become thick. Then apply this mixture on the face which gently absorbs by the skin without leaving any residue on the residue on the skin’s surface.
Aloe Vera Skin Toner
Soak a cotton ball in Aloe Vera Gel or Juice and then apply it on the face eliminate excess oil & provides freshness to the skin. One can apply this after moisturizer and use daily. It is perfect for normal & oily skin. If one is having sensitive skin, then the gel should be divided into 50-50 ratio along with spring water.
Aloe Vera is used in all of our handmade conditioners as well as and body bars. It makes the hair soft supple & shiny!! Aloe Vera is also known for treating hair loss due to the vitamins & minerals found within the plant mimicking the chemistry of the human body!In addition to halting hair loss, aloe vera is believed to promote the growth of new hair By balancing PH levels & stimulating scalp enzymes.
People who suffer from dandruff, which is characterized by a flaky, itchy scalp, should consider aloe vera for relief. Main causes of dandruff include but not limited to: stress, diets high in sugar & low in fats, excessive blow drying, shampooing in hot water & the environment.
- Danielle Lasit