8 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice

1. Contains healthy plant compounds

Aloe vera is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves.

It is widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries, and has an estimated annual market value of $13 billion globally (1).

Aloe vera is well recognized by its thick, pointed and fleshy green leaves, which can grow to about 12-19 inches (30-50 cm) in length.

This is what the Aloe vera plant looks like:

Each leaf is full of a slimy tissue that stores water, which makes the leaves thick. This slimy, water-filled tissue is the “gel” we associate with Aloe vera products.

The gel contains most of the bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.

Summary: Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that is used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. Its leaves are full of a gel-like substance that contains numerous beneficial compounds.

2. Has antioxidant and antibacterial properties

Antioxidants are important for health.

Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants, which belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols (2).

These polyphenols, along with several other compounds in Aloe vera, can help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans (2).

Summary: Aloe vera contains various powerful antioxidant compounds. Some of these compounds can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

3. Accelerates the healing of burns

Aloe vera is most commonly used as a topical medication, rubbed onto the skin rather than eaten.

It has long been known as a treatment for sores, particularly burns, including sunburns.

In fact, the FDA first approved Aloe vera ointment as an over-the-counter medication for skin burns back in 1959.

Studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for first- and second-degree burns.

A review of 4 experimental studies found that Aloe vera could reduce the healing time of burns by around 9 days compared to conventional medication (3).

The evidence for Aloe vera helping to heal other types of wounds is inconclusive (4).

Summary: Applying Aloe vera to burn wounds appears to accelerate the healing process. The evidence is inconclusive for other wound types.

4. Reduces dental plaque

Tooth decay and diseases of the gum are very common health problems.

One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to reduce the buildup of plaque (bacterial biofilms) on the teeth.

In a mouth rinse study of 300 healthy people, 100% pure Aloe vera juice was compared to the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine.

After 4 days of use, the Aloe vera mouth rinse was found to be just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque (5).

Another study found similar benefits of Aloe vera mouth rinse when used over a 15- to 30-day period (6).

Aloe vera does this by killing the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the mouth, as well as the yeast Candida albicans (7).

Summary: When used as a mouth rinse, pure Aloe vera juice is just as effective at reducing dental plaque buildup as regular mouthwash.

5. Helps treat mouth ulcers, or canker sores

Many people have experienced mouth ulcers, or canker sores, at some point in their lives.

They usually form underneath the lip, inside the mouth, and last for about 7-10 days.

Studies have convincingly shown that Aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers.

In a 7-day study of 180 people with recurrent mouth ulcers, an Aloe vera patch applied to the area was effective in reducing the size of the ulcers (8).

However, it did not outperform the conventional ulcer treatment, which is corticosteroids.

In another study, Aloe vera gel not only accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduced the pain associated with them (9).

Summary: Application of Aloe vera, either as a patch or gel, has been shown to aid in the recovery of mouth ulcers (canker sores).

6. Reduces constipation

Aloe vera has often be used to treat constipation.

This time it is not the gel, but the latex, that provides the benefits.

The latex is a sticky yellow residue found just under the skin of the leaf.

The key compound responsible for this effect is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has well-established laxative effects (10, 11, 12).

However, some concerns have been raised about safety issues with frequent use. For this reason, Aloe latex has not been available in the US as an over-the-counter medication since 2002.

Contrary to popular belief, Aloe vera does not appear to be effective against other digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (13, 14, 15).

Summary: Aloe vera latex has strong laxative effects, making it useful to treat constipation. It does not appear to be beneficial for other diseases of the digestive tract.

7. May improve skin and help prevent wrinkles

There is some preliminary evidence that topical Aloe vera gel can slow aging of the skin.

In one study of 30 women over the age of 45, topical application of the gel was shown to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity over a 90-day period (16).

Another study found that Aloe vera reduced erythema (redness of the skin), but was also found to dehydrate skin cells (17).

There is very little evidence that Aloe vera can treat skin conditions like psoriasis and radiation dermatitis (18).

Summary: Early evidence suggests that Aloe vera may have anti-aging effects on the skin, but more research is needed.

8. Lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics

Aloe vera has sometimes been used as a traditional diabetes remedy (19, 20).

It is said to enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.

Several animal and human studies in type 2 diabetics have actually found promising results from consuming Aloe vera extract (21, 22, 23).

However, the quality of these studies was fairly poor, so it is definitely premature to recommend Aloe vera for this purpose.

Additionally, there have been some cases of liver damage reported with long-term ingestion of Aloe vera supplements (24).

Summary: Early evidence suggests that Aloe vera may have anti-aging effects on the skin, but more research is needed.

The Bottom Line

Aloe vera definitely has some unique therapeutic properties, especially when applied as an ointment for the skin and gums.

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7 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is experienced by over 75% of menstruating women. Symptoms may start a week or two before the period and may be mild to severe. Hormone balance is the primary factor that will determine the PMS symptoms  that someone experiences.

Common PMS symptoms include: fatigue, bloating, skin issues, emotional changes, breast tenderness, and cramps.

Symptoms usually start 7 to 10 days prior to menstrual flow and end shortly thereafter.

PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is the term used to describe severe PMS symptoms.  They follow the same cycle and range of symptoms but produce a more debilitating outcome. 

Causes of PMS cramps include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Poor diet
• Food allergies
• Emotional stress
• Depression
• Thyroid problems
• Environmental toxins

The good news is if you can improve your diet, manage stress and take some of the suggested natural remedies you can greatly see the symptoms associated with PMS improve fast.

Top Foods for PMS Diet

Here are the best foods to consume on a PMS diet:

Plant foods – Studies have shown that women with plant-based diets high in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and herbs have fewer symptoms of PMS.
High fiber foods – PMS can cause GI disturbances, which is why it’s critical to get at least 30g of fiber daily.
Green leafy vegetables – These veggies have a diuretic effect and are also a great source of calcium and magnesium, which can reduce menstrual cramps.
Flaxseed – Helps promote healthy estrogen metabolism.
Wild-caught fish – Foods high in Omega-3 fats will help reduce pain and inflammation.
Avocado – Eating a half or full avocado daily can naturally balance hormones because of it’s nutritional profile which includes healthy fat, fiber, magnesium and potassium.

Foods that Increase PMS Symptoms

Trans fats and hydrogenated fats – A diet high in these fats can make PMS symptoms worse.
Any potential food allergen – Food allergies can make PMS symptoms worse.
Sugar – Causes fluctuations in blood sugar that may exacerbate mood swings, headaches, or difficulty concentrating. Sugar also depletes the body of critical minerals.
Salt – Water retention during your period may be made worse by consuming a diet high in sodium.
Caffeine – Is dehydrating and can worsen depression, anxiety, and breast tenderness.

Top 5 Natural Remedies for PMS and Cramps

Taking supplements and home remedies for PMS and cramps can greatly reduce symptoms.  Try one or all of the below natural treatments:

#1 Vitex (chasteberry) (240mg daily)
Helps balance estrogen/ progesterone ratios.

#2 Vitamin B6 (50 mg daily)
Vitamin B6 are involved in estrogen metabolism.

#3 Progesterone Cream (1/4 tsp, 10mg daily)Start after ovulation until the day before your period begins.

#4 Indole-3-carbinol (300 mg daily)Helps the liver metabolize estrogen.

#5 Magnesium (250 mg 2x# daily)Required in the metabolism of estrogen and can help relieve cramping.

Bonus RemediesAshwagandha and holy basil – these two adaptogenic herbs have been shown to reduce cortisol, balance hormones, and reduce PMS symptoms. Exercise, also helps balance hormones and reduce stress which can reduce the symptoms of PMS.

Essential Oils for PMS and Cramps

Essential oils can be an effective natural treatment for PMS.  Clary sage oil helps naturally balance hormones which can reduce symptoms rub 2-3 drops of of oil on lower abdomen then apply warm compress for 2-5 minutes.  Also, cypress oil improves circulation and can improve cramps apply it in the same way or along with clary sage.

To reduce tension, stress and cramping, you can apply ylang ylang oil along with lavender oil to the back of neck and lower abdomen.  And 3 drops peppermint oil works with a warm compress to reduce pain.

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6 Foods That Naturally Cleanse the Liver department of health

1. Garlic

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins.^[1] Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.

2. Grapefruit

High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, limes, and lemons support the natural cleansing abilities of the liver.^[2] Have a small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice to boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Beets and Carrots

Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function.^[3]

4. Green Tea

This liver-loving beverage is full of plant-based antioxidants known as catechins—compounds known to assist liver function.^[4] Green tea is a delicious, healthy addition to any diet. Just remember that green tea offers the benefits, not green tea extract. Some research suggests green tea extract may actually have a negative effect on liver health.^[5] Keep it simple and stick to the beverage to enjoy the benefits of green tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in chlorophyll, greens soak up environmental toxins from the blood stream.^[6] With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

Incorporate leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will increase creation and flow of bile—the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados

This nutrient-dense superfood helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.^[7]

7. Apples

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.^[2, 8]

8. Olive Oil

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are great for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can absorb harmful toxins in the body.^[9] In this way, they take some of the burden off the liver.

9. Alternative Grains

If your diet includes wheat, flour, or other standard grains, it’s time to make changes. And alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat can help. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and if you have certain sensitivities, grains that contain gluten only add to them. One study found that persons who experienced sensitivity to gluten also experienced abnormal liver enzyme test results.^[10]

10. Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of glucosinolate, which supports enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes flush carcinogens and other toxins from the body, and may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.^[2]

11. Lemons and Limes

These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning can stimulate the liver.^[2]

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6 Herbal Remedies for Natural Pain Relief department of health

Pharmaceutical drugs may not be your only path to pain relief. Natural pain treatments — like herbal medicine, in which parts of a plant are used medicinally to treat health problems — is an increasingly popular way to manage pain as well.

Though research on herbal remedies is still in its early phases, many herbs are thought to provide pain management and decrease inflammation. However, it’s important to exercise caution.

"Herbals or other nutraceuticals that may help in some way — as well as those which may not actually help — do almost universally have the potential to harm through unwanted side effects, allergic reactions, and undesirable interactions with other substances and medicines," says Sam Moon, MD, MPH, associate director of education at Duke Integrative Medicine, a division of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. "Relative safety must be very carefully balanced against likely effectiveness."

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6 Best Home Remedies for Tonsillitis

Drinking lemon juice can help the body fight infection, and can also ease the pain that come with strep throat. Drink as much fresh lemon juice as you need to feel better. Honey is great for killing bacteria, which helps cure sore throats. Mix four tablespoons of honey in a glass of water, and drink the whole cup.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for tonsillitis.

1. Salt Water

The best and the most common home remedy for tonsillitis is to gargle with warm salt water. The warm water will have a soothing effect and the salt will help kill the virus or bacteria. Plus, salt helps reduce inflammation, giving you instant relief.

1. Mix one teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water.
2. Gargle with the solution. Do not swallow it. Spit the water out after gargling.
3. Repeat this as often as possible for speedy recovery.

2. Lemon

Lemon’s antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties take care of the infection as well as the inflammation. Plus, its high vitamin C content improves the body’s resistance to infections.

• In a glass of lukewarm water, add the juice from one lemon, a pinch of salt and one teaspoon of honey. Drink it slowly, twice daily for a few days.
• Alternatively, you can sprinkle a little salt and pepper on a slice of lemon, and then suck on the lemon slice. It will help force the phlegm out of your throat. Do this two or three times a day for several days.

3. Basil

Basil is another very effective home remedy for tonsillitis due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, its healing properties and soothing qualities will help reduce swelling and pain as well as speed up the healing process.

1. Add 10 to 12 basil leaves to one and one-half cups of water.
2. Boil for 10 minutes.
3. Strain and add the juice from one lemon to the solution. Optionally, add one teaspoon of honey to sweeten it.
4. Drink this three times a day for two to three days.

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6 Best Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Swimmer's Ear department of health

 What is Swimmer’s Ear?

It is a bacterial infection in the outer ear canal. Medically, it is known as Acute External Otitis or Otitis Externa. Swimmer’s ear usually occurs due to the accumulation of water or excessive moisture in the ear canal that facilitates bacterial growth.  As the name suggests, this problem mostly affects the swimmers as the water directly reaches the ear canal while swimming. Excessive production of earwax, a narrow ear canal and swimming in bacteria-containing water are some of the factors that expose you to the risk of developing this condition. Swimmer’s ear is really painful, accompanied with a feeling of fullness and itching in the ear. It is not a serious problem and can be cured if treated properly with precautions.

Causes

The major causes of swimmer’s ear are:

• Accumulation of excessive moisture in the ear canal due to swimming and even during a shower leads to an infection.
• Inserting cotton swabs or any other pointed object can also lead to damage of the ear canal and removal of the protective layer of ear wax, thus allowing bacteria to grow in the ear canal.
• Using ear plugs, headphones, hearing aids and any other device may cause an infection in the ear canal.
• Use of hair dyes, hair sprays and shampoos may also lead to an infection in the ear.

Symptoms

Depending on the stage of the condition, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe.

Mild Symptoms

These symptoms are seen during the initial stage of swimmer’s ear.

• Odourless and clear discharge from the ears
• Slight redness in the ear
• Itching in the air canal

Moderate Symptoms

These warning signs appear during progressed stage.

• Stifled hearing
• Fluid, debris and swelling in the ear canal gives a feeling of blockage or fullness in the ear
• Pain that increases with movement
• Discharge of pus
• Severe itchiness
• Discharge of fluids in higher amounts
• Increase in the redness

Severe Symptoms

These signs are seen during advanced stage.

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Get Rid of Moles on Skin in 3 days

Moles, which are also known as melanocytic naevi in the medical community is usually a benign (non-cancerous) skin lesion that may occur anywhere on the human body. They are dark brown or black in color and may appear alone or in a small cluster. Their texture differs from person to person. For some they are smooth, whereas for others they may be coarse to the touch. In some cases they lie flat against the skin, whereas in other cases they may be raised. Some even have hair growing from inside them whereas others don’t!


How do Moles Develop on the Skin?

Moles develop when melanocytes, a type of skin cells that gives each of us our unique pigment, grow in clusters, rather than being uniformly distributed throughout the skin. That is why they are usually far darker than the surrounding area. They are usually triggered by hormonal changes that may be caused by:

Teen age: Once a person “comes of age”, there are a lot of hormonal changes that tend to occur. The incidence of moles will be the greatest during the teen years.
Pregnancy:Pregnancy makes a lot of changes in a woman’s body. Although pregnancy does not usually lead to the creation of more moles, but existing moles tend to become darker in color.
Sunlight:Prolonged exposure to the sunlight may trigger the formation of moles as well. Moles triggered by sunlight are more likely to turn into melanoma, or skin cancer. Towards the end of this article, we will discuss the link between moles and skin cancer in further detail.
Once people reach middle-age (40 years onwards) the number of moles on the body tends to go down.

Scientists believe that there is a genetic factor behind the creation of moles. If you have a family member that has moles on their face or body then there is a greater likelihood that you may develop this condition at some stage in your life.

Types of Moles

Although all moles may look the same to the untrained eye, on close inspection one can actually see the subtle differences among different types of moles. Some of the most common types are:

Dermal melanocytic naevi: They typically protrude from the skin and tend to have a pale hue. They may contain hair as well.
Junctional melanocytic naevi: They lie flat against the skin, is round and is usually deep brown or black in color.
Compound melanocytic naevi: They protrude from the skin as well, is usually light brown in color and may contain hair as well.
Following are some more uncommon types of moles:

Blue naevi: They are dark blue in color.
Halo naevi: In this case the mole or moles have a pale circular ring (or halo) that surrounds it. For some reason the skin loses all pigments around the edges of these moles.
Dyplastic or atypical naevi (Clark naevi): These moles are somewhat large and looks a bit awkward. They could be flat or may be raised in a bump and can appear in different shades.

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