Aloe : the summer coolant

With the temperatures soaring by the day, keep this natural coolant, Aloe vera handy to instantly fight the heat.

The gel inside the aloe vera plant is rich in vitamins minerals amino acids, and antioxidants. It is a very versatile ingredient which can be used to internal and external cooling. There are many ways to use it in these summer months.
   



Below are a few interesting ways to include it in your diet:

1)Juice it: One of the easiest ways of consuming raw aloe is to make it into a “juice.” Don’t juice the whole stem, instead remove the gel and mix it with water and drink. To get the gel, peel away the skin using a sharp knife, crush the meat inside and use as needed. Since aloe is naturally a little bitter, soak the cut pieces in water overnight and then drink only the water. You can also blend it with fresh fruit juices such as oranges, lemons or grapes.

2)Use it in Salads: Add small pieces of raw aloe to salads with some herb garnishes. Mix the aloe gel with salad dressings. It pairs well with strong flavors, such as sesame seed oil, hot peppers and garlic.

The many benefits of the plant make it a great addition to your daily diet, and its effect on the skin in the summer is endless too:

1. Helps heal burns and sores.
This is one of the widely known uses of aloe vera. The aloe gel can be used topically to speed up the healing process of skin ailments such as sunburns and sores. It has a cooling sensation that soothes the skin and helps to reduce inflammation. The presence of anti-inflammatory properties in aloe vera provides instant relief to irritated, red or aggressed skin. Get some aloe vera juice in a spray bottle, and get spraying!

2.Improves skin health and prevents signs of aging
Aloe vera hydrates the skin and thus aids in boosting overall skin health making it soft and supple. Compounds found in aloe vera help in increasing collagen production thus improving skin elasticity.

3.Helps to reduce dental plaque
A lesser known fact is that aloe vera can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases and is effective in reduction of dental plaque. Aloe vera potentially kills the bacteria and yeast in one’s mouth thus fighting dental plaque. Aloe vera juice mouthwashes have been proven effective if done on a regular basis.

4.Detoxify your body
The high amino acids, vitamins and minerals content, makes aloe vera highly beneficial for your body when had as a drink. The aloe vera juice strengthens digestion and helps naturally get rid of any waste. It’s a knight in shinning armor for those suffering from IBS.

5.Easy way to get more vitamins
Don’t like consuming vitamin and mineral tablets? Get rid off them and start getting used to a glass of aloe vera juice every morning. This nutrient powerhouse gives you a healthy supply of vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid along with minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, selenium and potassium.

Prep yourself to beat the heat this season. Embrace summers with aloe goodness!