For thousands of years, Ayurveda knowledge and use of this plant, especially in powder (the extract of fresh aloe vera can be kept easily in hot areas). Aloe is known as "Kumari " Sanskrit name meaning "virgin."
This plant has the virtue of first
regenerate the female body like no other plant in nature. Aloe, used internally and externally, preserve the health of certain tissues such as skin, which preserves the
hydration (and youth!), Blood, purifies it and, in the women, the reproductive tissues that are linked.
His bitter taste, slightly purgative, allows it to act as both
depurative , and as a regulator of the metabolism of sugar and fat. Its action primarily target organs of liver and spleen, responsible for the renewal of blood. Its cooling effect on the body has a febrifuge action, anti-inflammatory and soothing. Thus, aloe vera has a smooth, gradual, but very effective for all skin problems. Taken internally or applied externally, its gel c
alme irritation, itching, and prevents their appearance.
Its juice is an exceptionally rich source of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, which bonus, contribute to a better absorption of all nutrients. Finally, the aloe plant is one of the most beneficial in maintaining the balance of the female reproductive system from puberty to menopause. It is not only useful in regulating certain disorders cycles (including the MPS: the "premenstrual syndrome" involving different events such as water retention, pain, strokes of blues, before the arrival of menstruation) as in the prevention of diseases of the female reproductive tract such as fibroids.
Aloe vera is a constituent of many Ayurvedic remedies, but most often in the form of powder or aqueous extract, used as a coating agent to facilitate absorption thereof.
How to use? -
as juice or gel (
specified internal use), mixed with a little water at room temperature, or warm, to detoxify the body. Using it as "Anupana", that is to say by mixing with other plants, it is used in Ayurveda to target their action. For example, mixed with turmeric, aloe Vera would have a cleansing and toning the circulatory system.
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powder (hard to find in France), it serves laxatif.Utilisé at very high doses, it is used in India as a purgative.
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gel for external use, it can be applied on the sensitive, irritated skin. I personally use it as an after-sun and find it extraordinarily useful on summer evenings, when the skin has stored heat and that we need to refresh.
dose recommended by the Ayurvedic texts is 2 to 4 teaspoons of juice of fresh plant per dose. It up to 30 ml per day.
How to choose? It is now easy to aloe vera, either in organic shops, pharmacy or drugstore. However, there are several qualities. The extraction method is critical, and must respect the delicate mucilage of the plant (watery substance secreted by aloe). On the other hand, the use of preservatives, even citric acid, damaging the properties of the plant. From experience: it is better to use a trademark short shelf life, but watching a manufacturing method conservation and you benefit from the optimum properties of the plant.
Warnings Do not you dare eat the aloe gel directly from the plant without knowing the extraction process. It secretes a yellowish substance in fact quite toxic (good enough to trigger colic ...) that must be removed first. Finally, for those who travel in India: avoid buying in Southern India, Aloe Vera home made (home prepared) without knowing your supplier (turista insured). Flickr photo credit: urbnmedia, friendcuttack, gorgol.