Sunburn, sting, post-depilation… Aloe vera gel is a practical remedy in summer. All of its benefits, instructions for use and conservation.
Aloe vera is one of the functional foods, these foods with superpowers that work on our beauty and health depending on its use. “The part in which we find the medicinal virtues of Aloe Vera is jelly, which is in its leaf“explains the naturopath who warns: “Be careful to use the right one because there are more than 300 species…The one that interests us today is theAloe barbadensis Miller, more commonly known as Aloe vera and nicknamed plant of immortality since the time of the Pharaohs”shade Sabine Monnoyeur.
What are the benefits of aloe vera gel?
frostaloe vera East moisturizing And soothing. It is also refreshing (especially when stored in the refrigerator). It is used on the skin and hair mainly:
- sunburn
- insect bite
- burns (without wound)
- redness.
- itchy scalp
- dry hair
- dandruff
Moisturizing and refreshing, aloe vera gel is a good remedy to soothe a sunburn. It is enough to apply it locally in massage on the area of skin burned by the sun.
Take a good dab of aloe vera gel and add 2-3 drops of Aspic lavender essential oil in case of a bite.
Here are our expert’s recommendations:
→ In custom serum: morning and evening, with an essential oil adapted to your skin type. (Ask your naturopath for advice on the EO you need). Its PH similar to that of our skin makes it an excellent daily care product. It also has a tensor effect, ideal in the morning for a fresh boost.
→ Moisturizer : 3 cc of aloe vera gel + 1 cc of vegetable oil of your choice (hazelnut, sweet almond, jojoba…).
→ Sun burn, insect bite, itching : take a good dab of aloe vera gel and add 2-3 drops of Aspic lavender essential oil in case of a bite. Apply the gel locally to relieve your sunburn / burn or sting.
→ Radiance mask : 2 cc of aloe vera gel + 2 cc of honey. Apply and leave for about 30 minutes.
→ Cleansing gel : Aloe vera gel + Sweet almond oil (30 ml) + 10ml rose water organic + Lavender essential oil (5 drops). Mix the oil and the aloe vera gel, then add the floral water little by little and add your drops of HE. Use a small whisk for a more homogeneous texture.
→ Used in hair care, aloe vera strengthens our hair and hydrates it. Heat a good hazelnut between your hands then apply it on all your lengths. => leave on for at least 1/2 hour.
→ In case of itching/redness/dandruff in the scalp: => massage your scalp with this gel, it will soothe you.
→ For a small “detox” of the scalp : combine 4 tbsp of gel with 1 tsp of baking soda, then apply this mixture to your hair. => Make very slow circular movements with the pulp of your fingers for ten minutes, as if you were exfoliating the skin, then rinse and shampoo.
→ Aftershave/hair removal : Apply your aloe vera gel just after hair removal for a refreshing and soothing effect.
→ Daily care : just like for the face, associated with a vegetable oil, your gel will act in synergy with it. They will thus combine the moisturizing virtues of one and the nourishing of the other.
Can you drink aloe vera gel?
“Yes, but beware of the quality! For all digestive system disorders, prefer the gel, which descends more slowly and acts as a bandage. Drinking Aloe Vera gel must be as pure as possible with a little juice /water if needed”, warns Sabine Monnoyeur. Dosage : 1 small glass per day in the morning on an empty stomach for 3 weeks. There taking aloe vera pulp is done at least over 3 monthsbecause it acts in 3 phases:
- It cleanses the body (detox)
- She revitalizes it
- She rules it
“If the laxative effect is too great, the dose is adapted and gradually increased. It is good not to go to more than 4 tablespoons per day. Be careful to drink well during the treatment because aloe vera is very detoxifying and water will help in the elimination of toxins”, adds the specialist.
Our expert recommends paying attention to the following points:
- Aloe must not not be pasteurized and should not do not contain preservatives such as E202 (potassium sorbate), E211 (sodium benzoate) or citric acid.
- THE IASC label (International Science Council) guarantees that the gel has been stabilized as soon as it is recovered to fight against its oxidation. This label guarantees strict control to fight against the presence of pesticides, heavy metals and pathogens.
- There may be gelling agents like guar or xanthan gum but nothing else.
- He must be aloin free (maximum 0.1mg/kg).
- The product must consist ofat least 95% aloe vera gel.
How to store aloe vera gel?
“Like any “homemade” preparation, the conservation will not be very long (about 10 days), so prefer prepare smaller quantities more regularly. However, you can freeze it. To preserve it better, you can add vitamin C and E (natural preservatives), OR about 10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract. You will always keep it in the fridge, the aloe vera turns (it becomes abnormally dark) on contact with heat !”, indicates Sabine Monnoyeur.
Can I use pure aloe vera gel?
“Yes it can be used pure, because the pulp of Aloe Vera is a vegetable waterbut be careful to extract only the inside of the plant, because the surrounding bark is relatively poisonous due to its aloin content, very irritating to the body. The part in which we find the medicinal virtues of Aloe Vera is the jelly, which is in its leaf”, warns the naturopath. This jelly is a mucillage, that is to say a plant substance, which swells on contact with water. “When you choose your Aloe Vera, make sure the gel contains at least 99% organic aloe vera, preferably bearing the IASC label. For internal use, Aloe Vera must be purchased atnatural state, without transformation and obtained by cold stabilization. Also be careful that the word “pulp” appears on the container, because it is a regulated term which guarantees the quality of the product as well as its content. If you see the mentions “juice of”, “extract of”, “based on”… it is very often a whole leaf of aloe vera which has been crushed, dehydrated then rehydrated, therefore to be avoided”she continues.
Precautions for use
There DGCCRF recommend it greater caution to people who use and consume products from fresh aloe vera leaves. It’s necessary remove the external part and any presence of latex from the leaves of Aloe vera For consume only the gel located in the center of the sheet. As a precaution, the DGCCRF and the General Directorate of Health also recommendavoid the consumption of fresh leaves of Aloe vera, including gel, by children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and fragile people. If you suffer from any pathology or disorder, seek the advice of a doctor or naturopath before consuming aloe vera gel, especially if it is an intestinal or cardiac disorder.
Thanks to Sabine Monnoyeur, naturopath in Paris.