You can eat it, you can drink it, you can rub it on your skin: aloe vera is a wonderfully versatile plant that is full of goodness for your body!
The spiky leaves of the aloe vera plant store a clear gel, which can be used topically to soothe and moisturise dry and chapped skin. You might have heard of using aloe vera gel for sunburn, or even using aloe vera gel on your hair, and this is where that cool, gel substance comes from.
Aloe vera also contains an internal dried yellow sap, which is the part used in aloe vera supplements, like aloe vera juices and tablets.
This internal yellow sap contributes to gastrointestinal health and has so many more great benefits. You can read more about the benefits of aloe vera in our guide to aloe vera.
Aloe vera is the name of a prickly plant from the succulent family with thick, fleshy leaves that can grow up to two feet long.
This plant grows naturally in tropical and sub-tropical climates, originating in places like South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, but is actually cultivated all over the world.
There are two main parts of the plant that are used:
- A yellow sap, called latex, found right underneath the plant’s skin The thick, clear gel found inside the leaves
The aloe vera plant has been used for centuries in countries spanning from South Africa to China, and is still highly popular today and is still in wide use all over the world.
Aloe vera is thought to have some health benefits and it is commonly used as a supplement, used in juices to support healthy digestion and can also be used on the skin and hair as a gel.
Pure aloe vera gel trickles out on snapping or cutting a leaf of an aloe vera plant.
This gel has cooling properties and is also a natural moisturiser, so you can use it on dry and chapped skin to soften and soothe it.
Top tip: Leave your aloe vera gel or moisturiser in the fridge for more satisfying cooling effects.
Aloe vera juice is made from the whole leaf of aloe vera, including the gel found inside, so you can make the most of all the great benefits aloe vera juice has to offer.
Benefits of aloe vera juice include providing support to the natural digestion process and providing you with essential nutrients like vitamins A, C and E.
These aloe vera supplements can support healthy digestion, whilst also providing your body with some of the nutrients it needs.
Here at Holland and Barrett, we sell a wide range of aloe vera products and supplements that can aid your digestive system, ranging from aloe vera juices to aloe vera tablets and toothpastes.
You can even find a supplement you only have to take once at night, allowing it to support your digestive system while you sleep.
If you prefer to use natural toothpaste, aloe vera toothpaste could be the one for you.
It can help to leave your teeth feeling super clean by controlling the bacteria in your mouth.
- Cosmetics (lip balms, body wash, and shampoo)
- Dental care items (toothpaste, mouthwash)
- Aloe vera juice
- Tablets, capsules, liquids, and gels
Explore the range to see how aloe vera can help you.
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