Aloe Vera – All Natural Magic

Aloe Vera (INCI: Aloe Barbadensis) has a number of documented beneficial qualities, whether taken internally or used externally.

Its all-purposeness makes it a must for every household. Spritz pure Aloe Vera juice on sunburned (or burned) skin to help 'take the sting' or apply it to small cuts and scrapes to soothe and help promote healing.

A tablespoon (or 2) a day of Aloe Vera juice taken internally helps digestion and strengthens the immune system.

Where The Good Stuff Is

It is inside the leaves of this succulent plant (a member of the lily family) one finds the beneficial gel that is harvested for the different uses. If you break or cut an aloe leaf, you can see the gel.

Where The Bad Stuff Is

Before you go completely native and just break off a piece of Aloe Vera and rub it directly on a wound, think again. Directly beneath the outer skin of the plant is a substance called aloin that is a skin-irritant.

If taken internally, aloin is a laxative. The aloin is always removed as part of the harvesting process. A reputable supplier will carry aloin-free Aloe Vera that is completely safe.

The Magic Regulator

I think Aloe Vera is fabulous for a lot of reasons, but of all the positive things I can say about it, I love it most of all for how it performs as a perfectly natural PH regulator.

I know that doesn't sound very sexy, but I really like the idea of using this gentle ingredient instead of (the more commonly used) citric acid where possible.

Because I use hydrosols instead of water in almost all of my products, and the different hydrosols have varying PH values, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the PH of a product.

Adding even a small amount of Aloe Vera to any mix of hydrosols and/or floral waters will instantly bring the PH to within the ideal of 5,0 - 5,5 (for external use).

I've tried it numerous times and in several different products and it just performs every time – like magic!