Soothing Aloe Vera Remedies

Dating back to ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Indians, and Chinese cultures, aloe vera has been used for topical and pharmaceutical applications. It has been called the burn plant, the medicine plant, the plant of life, and the wand of heaven plant. Cleopatra is credited with using the plant as a daily beauty product. This popular houseplant's gel from the inner part of the leaf can treat burns and minor wounds. The juice from just beneath the leaf's skin is used as a laxative. A bitter yellow, the juice can be sun dried to create aloe granules.

For centuries, the aloe gel has treated skin irritations. If ingested, an aloe vera beverage can treat constipation, ulcers, diabetes, headaches, arthritis, and coughs. Ingestion should be done with caution since side effects include pain, electrolyte imbalance, and diarrhea.

Scientific studies do not support ingestion of aloe vera for healing or prevention against disease, but they do suggest (not prove) that external application can treat all these conditions and vaginal irritations. The FDA has approved aloe latex as on over the counter laxative.

Without preservatives, the aloe vera gel is best used fresh from the plant. Applying it immediately to a burn relieves the sting. It has also been used to treat cold sores. Acting as a moisturizer, the aloe vera stimulates the fibroblasts cells causing them to regenerate faster. These cells produce collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to look smoother and younger.

Those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may use aloe vera in addition to diet changes. Aloe vera can cleanse the bowel of food residues that cause the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome -swollen abdomen, unpleasant tastes, alternating diarrhea and constipation, diminished appetite, frequent stomach pain, gas, depression/lethargy, and heartburn. It should be noted that professional help should be sought at the earliest onset of stomach problems.

Common Herbs And Some Specific Uses

Diarrhea

Use two to three teaspoons of Agrimony (high tannin content) leaves to make a tea. Apple pulp is rich in pectin. Try eating applesauce.

Use cooked carrots to treat diarrhea in infants. Will soothe the digestive tract while providing nutrients that are lost during the attack.

In all cases, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Earache

Taken internally, Garlic can help cure a middle ear infection. A few drops of Garlic oil in the ear can’t hurt either. You can also try using a teaspoon of dried Echinacea in tea.

Fever

Two to three teaspoons of Elder flowers a day in tea will help reduce feverish chills.

Try Ginger tea or eat candied ginger or sip ginger ale. Add peppermint to fever-fighting teas.

Flatulence

Ever wonder why the instructions on packages of beans recommend soaking the beans overnight? It actually has nothing to do with the recipe, but everything to do with an anti-gas remedy. You can also deflate flatulence with a tea made up of Chamomile, Caraway, Dill, Fennel, Lemon Balm and Peppermint. Sweeten with Licorice.

Gallstones and Kidney Stones

The best way to treat these diseases is with prevention and that begins with drinking six to eight glasses of water each day. This keeps the urine too diluted to create the stones in the first place. Drink several cups of Stinging Nettle Tea each day to prevent and treat kidney stones. To one cup of boiling water, steep one teaspoon of finely chopped dried herb.

Gout

It is purported that Celery Seed keeps uric acid below critical levels. Try taking two to four tablets of celery seed extract daily.