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What is Aloe Vera Juice?
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Aloe vera juice is a liquid that is created using the juice obtained from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. The juice is often found in health food stores and herb shops and can be used both internally and externally. Because it contains several of the B vitamins, vitamin C and several important minerals, this juice provides a broad range of health benefits.
One of the most common reasons to drink aloe vera juice is to minimize the effects of digestion problems. Because it can help to remove toxins from the digestive tract, drinking a couple of eight 8 ounce (236.5 ml) servings each day can help ease stomach cramps. The juices of the aloe vera plant can also help to clear the intestines of bacteria and other irritants that may trigger a sour stomach and conditions such as constipation and diarrhea.
Drinking this juice is also thought to help the circulation of blood through the system. This can be important for people who may have problems with circulation in the extremities due to diabetes or other ailments. The juice is also helpful in detoxifying the blood making it possible for the bloodstream to carry more essential nutrients throughout the body.
Externally, aloe vera juice can be good for the skin. Many people keep an aloe vera plant on hand to treat minor burns. Keeping a bottle of it for use as an astringent for the face and hands can help to tighten skin and also remove surface oils that may block pores.
Aloe vera juice can even be used as a rub to help with muscle aches and joint pain. Applying a small amount of the juice to the area and massaging the juice into the general area of the joint is said to help the muscles relax and ease mild arthritis in the hands and elbows. Because the juice contains a number of nutrients in moderate amounts, it is safe to use several times a day for joint pain.
Purchasing aloe vera juice is relatively easy. Herbalists and most health food stores carry the juice in sizes ranging from a quart (0.9 liter) to a gallon (3.78 liters). While the price for a container is more than purchasing fruit juices in the supermarket, the range of benefits provided by the product are often well worth the price.
Malcolm Tatum
After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.
Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.
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![Aloe vera juice may help relieve stomach cramps.]()
By: Julija SapicAloe vera juice may help relieve stomach cramps. -
![Aloe vera can be taken as a supplement in juice form.]()
By: joanna wnukAloe vera can be taken as a supplement in juice form.
Discussion Comments
@bythewell - Well, the mother of one of my friends absolutely swore by aloe vera juice and I know she would say the health benefits are worth it.
I met her daughter while she was an exchange student (their family is from India) and she actually tried to keep eating a bit of aloe every day while she was here.
It took a few weeks for her to realize though that what she thought was aloe vera on the side of the road was actually another kind of aloe that just looked like aloe vera.
So, if you are hoping to look to the local environment for aloe vera, make sure you know how to identify it. There are a lot of different kinds of aloe and some of them look a lot like aloe vera but only that particular kind is beneficial.
I've tried it a couple of times, because various people have recommended it and it tastes absolutely disgusting straight from the leaf.
I'm sure it is really good for you, but I would always drink it with something else. It's just really bitter and I don't like the texture either, which is kind of sticky. I've never tried it from a can or bottle or anything, but I suspect they add a whole bunch of flavors to it in order to make it palatable.
I guess if you hold your breath and swallow it quickly, it might be OK, but I'm not sure the benefits are worth it.
Aloe is really easy to grow and it will thrive if you plant it in the right conditions and give it enough sunshine, warmth and water. In fact you'll end up with multiple plants as they will branch off into new little seedlings if you give them enough care.
And you don't even really need to juice them in order to use the plant externally. All you need to do is split the leaf and rub it on the burn or whatever else you need it for.
You might want to juice them in order to drink the juice, although I've never done it.
If I was going to I would split the leaf and scoop out the gel in order to add it to a smoothie or something like that.
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