“Aloe Vera”, indeed a commonly heard name because of its benefits and usage for almost anything, from health benefits to medicinal benefits, aloe vera can be your go-to pick, as they come in a variety of consumer products including beverages, skin lotions, oils, gels, cosmetics, ointments etc.
Here are the benefits and uses of aloe vera oil:
It is important to note that aloe vera oil is safe to use topically, but it cannot be consumed as it can make one feel dehydrated and can also cause stomach issues.
1. For hair and scalp:
Can calm and ease itchiness on the scalp, especially for people with dandruff. It can reduce the itchiness and flaking of the skin under your hair, as it has anti-inflammatory properties and can also reduce scalp inflammation caused by dandruff. Can help promote hair growth as it helps cleanse and nourish the scalp and can help reduce hair breakage and stimulate the hair follicles to promote hair growth (by contributing to cell turnover) and increase hair shine and give your hair a natural glow.
It can control greasy hair, as aloe vera has enzymes and properties that can break down fats and strip away the extra oil (sebum) from the hair. It can also protect the hair from ultra-violet (UV) damage and retain the natural hair colour.
To use:
Partition your hair and apply this oil (you can also warm up this oil before applying it) on your hair and scalp evenly. Then gently massage it in, using circular motions and let it sit for half an hour to forty minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
2. For skin:
Aloe vera is rich in vitamins and can contribute to cell turnover, a natural process that involves the constant shedding of dead skin cells and the replacement of it with younger skin cells, over a period of time. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that can help cure and heal skin ailments. It can be used to heal cellulite and stretch marks.
To use:
For wounds: Make a mixture of 1 tsp of aloe vera oil, ¼ tsp organic turmeric powder and ½ tsp honey and apply it on the wounded area.
For reduction of body odour: Pour the aloe vera oil into a roll-on bottle (or a spray bottle) and add in a few drops of any essential oil of your choice, shake this well before applying/spraying it in the underarm region.
3. For inflammation and pain relief:
Aloe vera oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the skin and reduce pain, swelling and redness in the area of inflammation.
To use:
Aloe vera oil can be used topically for pain relief or as a massage oil for pains like that of joints, muscle strain or arthritis.
4. For dental care:
Aloe vera oil has anti-inflammation and anti-microbial properties that can help provide pain from periodontal diseases like tooth pain, gingivitis and plaque. READ MORE – HOW TO MAKE TURMERIC OIL to brighten skin
How to make Aloe Vera Oil:
There are two ways you can make aloe vera hair oil –
Ingredients:
- 15 – 16 aloe vera slices
(Approximately one-inch slices each) - 1 cup coconut oil or any other oil of your choice
Method 1:
Into a heating pan, add in the coconut oil and the aloe vera slices and let it come to a boil, then reduce the flame and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the colour of the oil has changed. Turn off the flame and let it cool down. Pour it into a container for storage purposes.
Method 2:
Make a paste of the cut aloe vera slices, using a mixer grinder. Then, into a heating pan, add in the coconut oil and the aloe vera paste and let it come to a boil, then reduce the flame and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the colour of the oil has changed and the aloe vera paste has started to clump up. Turn off the flame and let it cool down. Pour it into a container for storage purposes. READ MORE – OVERNIGHT HAIR SPRAY to stop hair fall, thinning hair and regrow thicker hair
Caution:
Aloe vera oil can cause skin irritation or skin reactions and therefore it is important to do a patch test before complete application.