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After a long day at the beach, most people know that one of the best natural remedies for a scalding sunburn is to cut a piece of fresh Aloe Vera and place the gel on your burning skin. While Aloe Vera certainly is a great home remedy for all types of burns due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to promote circulation while inhibiting the growth of bacteria, there are dozens of different ways that you can introduce this household plant into your life. Organic Aloe Vera gel is one of the most important products for taking care of your health.
Below, we look at some of the most important health benefits associated with organic Aloe Vera gel as well as explain some of the most important features to look for when shopping for this product. We also offer a breakdown of the 12 best organic Aloe Vera gel products currently on the market today.
Why It is Important to Have Organic Aloe Vera Gel in Your Diet?
Natural and homeopathic health products have developed in different cultures around the world. Ayurveda medicine from India, for example, focuses a lot on the benefits of the turmeric root while the Incan cultures of South America have used the Black Maca root for different health benefits for thousands of years. Rarely, however, has one plant been used by different ancestral cultures around the world.
Aloe Vera, however, is one of those rare plants that has thrived in different climates and cultures around the world. In India, it has been used as a traditional remedy for constipation and worm infestation for thousands of years. Chinese medicine understood the benefits of Aloe Vera for different skin diseases, including a wide range of fungal infections.
In fact, ancient historical documents show that Aloe Vera has been used for different medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Over 6,000 years ago, the Egyptians considered Aloe Vera to offer secrets for beauty, health, and immortality, and Aloe Vera was thought to be a part of the embalming techniques used by the ancient Egyptians due to the antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities of this plant. Furthermore, the Papyrus Eber is an ancient Egyptian document discussing herbal knowledge that dates back to 1,550 B.C. and which mentions Aloe Vera for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Today, Aloe Vera is used in a wide variety of medicinal and cosmetic properties and is considered to be one of the largest botanical industries around the world. The sheer amount of ancient knowledge related to the medicinal benefits of this plant should be reason enough for you to include organic Aloe Vera Gel in your holistic health routine.
What to Consider Before Buying Organic Aloe Vera Gel?
The most important thing to consider before purchasing any Aloe Vera Gel product is to make sure that the product is 100 percent pure. Cancer Research UK has found that “the amount of Aloe Vera in each product can vary… Some may not even contain the amount stated on the label. There are hundreds of manufacturers trying to sell their products. Unfortunately, by law, they don’t have to test their product for safety or effectiveness. And many don’t! So our advice is to buy with caution.”
Instead of simply looking at the publicity and advertising claims, you should always check the ingredient list to make sure that the organic Aloe Vera gel that you are purchasing does not contain any additional “filler” ingredients are other compounds that could affect the medicinal effectiveness of the product. Some companies add significant amounts of water to Aloe Vera Gel products, and this obviously reduces the intensity and effectiveness of the gel. Another common filler ingredient is alcohol which provides a “cooling” effect on the skin but can react adversely sometimes causing excessive drying of the skin.
If you want “organic” Aloe Vera gel, you should also obviously search for products that are made from Aloe Vera plants that were cultivated in a certified organic manner. Pesticides, fungicides and other industrial agriculture inputs often make their way into foods and other products and can adversely affect your health.
Lastly, you should never purchase an organic Aloe Vera gel that is bright green in color. While the skin of the Aloe Vera Plant is green in color, the gel is naturally transparent. Several companies include chemical colorants and dyes that are unnatural and could negatively affect your health.
Top 10 Benefits of Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Once you have found the best organic Aloe Vera gel products that are made from 100 percent Aloe Vera, include no filler ingredients or chemical additives, and are sourced from organic Aloe Vera plants, there are several health benefits that you can expect from regularly using this product.
1. Soothes Skin Reactions
Besides being a great remedy for burns, organic Aloe Vera gel also is a proven way to soothe a wide variety of skin reactions. Topical administration of Aloe Vera gel can help to treat psoriasis and other types of dermatitis. It can also be used to help cure wounds while its natural antibacterial properties make it a great option to avoid infections from cuts and bruises.
2. Reduce the Risk for Tumors
A 2009 study found that taking organic Aloe Vera gel orally also provides a wide range of benefits. While the study was focused on the dermatological benefits associated with taking Aloe Vera, it also found that this product can help to decrease the number and size of small tumors that grow on or underneath the skin. Furthermore, experiments in mice found that regular administration of Aloe Vera gel was able to reduce the frequency of tumors in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow by over 90 percent. This shows promise that organic Aloe Vera gel might also be a great way to help people avoid certain types of cancer tumors.
3. The Best Natural Burn Remedy
As we mentioned above, Aloe Vera is also a great way to treat all different types of burns. This primarily is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera. However, it has also been found that Aloe Vera gel can protect the skin against radiation damage, thus making it a great way to heal skin from sunburns. The FDA approved Aloe Vera gel as a burn healing agent almost 50 years ago.
4. Treatment for Cold Sores
Cold sores are primarily caused by a virus and create painful, small lesions in or around the mouth. Because Aloe Vera gel is a natural anti-viral, using this gel can help to speed up the healing of these cold sores. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of organic Aloe Vera gel will also reduce the painful side effects of cold sores. Lastly, organic Aloe Vera gel also contains a large amount of vitamin B6 which boosts the immune system to protect against future viral outbreaks leading to cold sores.
5. Treatment for Dry Scalp
One out of every five people suffers from dandruff and dry scalp. Fortunately, organic Aloe Vera gel is a fantastic natural treatment for dry skin in the scalp area. The nourishing effect of Aloe Vera alongside the vitamins and minerals that it naturally contains will keep your hair and your scalp well moisturized. Furthermore, the antifungal properties of Aloe Vera will help to protect from dandruff and naturally revitalize the skin in your scalp area.
6. Treatment for Constipation
One recent study found that Aloe Vera had a natural laxative effect, especially when taken as aloe latex. While organic Aloe Vera gel is slightly different and is usually only made from the clear gel inside the skin, the yellow latex which is a small layer between the skin and the gel contains anthraquinones which have a natural laxative effect. Many organic Aloe Vera gel products will also contain small amounts of the Aloe latex which offers relief from constipation.
7. Digestive Help
Aloe Vera gel has long been known to help people suffering from gastritis and other irritable gastrointestinal diseases. A 2013 study provided further evidence that organic Aloe Vera gel can help reduce discomfort and gasses in people that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera also help to protect the digestive tract.
8. Natural Immune System Booster
Aloe Vera contains significant amounts bradykinase which is a natural element that is known to boost the immune system and help our bodies fight off infections. Furthermore, organic Aloe Vera gel is also high in Zinc, which besides being good for our intestinal tract, is also an essential element to maintain optimal immune function.
9. A Strong Antioxidant
Medical research is discovering that inflammation is one of the leading causes of a wide variety of diseases that affect the human body. Because Aloe Vera is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can help to protect your body from several diseases. Furthermore, it also acts as a strong and potent antioxidant that can fight free radical damage.
10. Possible Treatment for Diabetes
Lastly, organic Aloe Vera gel also shows promise as an alternative treatment for diabetes. Recent clinical trials have shown that regular doses of Aloe Vera can decrease blood glucose levels and regulate serum triglyceride levels. While more research is needed, organic Aloe Vera gel might also be a great, natural way for diabetic people to alleviate chronic hyperglycemia and perturbed lipid profile.
Are There Any Possible Negative Side Effects to Organic Aloe Vera Gel?
While organic Aloe Vera gel does offer several important health benefits, there are some possible negative side effects that should be considered. Most of these negative side effects are associated with taking Aloe Vera Gel internally on a daily basis for an extended period of time. Furthermore, most of the serious side effects are associated with Aloe Latex, which is often not included in organic Aloe Vera gel products.
Nonetheless, some of the possible negative side effects include:
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Low Potassium levels
- Blood in the urine
- Problems during pregnancy
- Diarrhea
Pregnant women should not take Aloe Vera products internally without consulting a doctor and people suffering from chronic intestinal conditions such as colitis or Crohn´s Disease should also probably avoid this product.
For topical use, however, there are almost no known negative side effects.
Top 12 Best Organic Aloe Vera Gel Options
1. Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel: This organic Aloe Vera Gel is cold pressed and made from USA-grown Organic Aloe Vera that also includes 0.25% of Food Grade ingredients. You can keep this product for up to two years without needing refrigeration. This product is thickened with natural seaweed extract which offers additional benefits to your skin.
2. NaturSense: This top-rated NaturSense product contains no artificial fragrances or colorants and is cold-pressed and charcoal filtered for maximum purity. It has a high potency of essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes.
3. Amara Organics: Amara Organics offers another quality organic Aloe Vera gel product that contains upwards of 99.75% organic Aloe Vera Gel. There are absolutely no added colors or fragrances, and alcohol is also not included. This product can be used topically as a hair gel, conditioner, or aftershave as well. A 100 percent money back guarantee is also included.
4. Majestic Pure: This cold pressed organic Aloe Vera gel offers several benefits. It is made from 99.7% pure Aloe Vera. The watery consistency is proof that no added ingredients are included. This product is vegan-friendly as it has not been tested on any animals, and it was grown and made from Aloe Vera in the United States. This product is recommended for external use only.
5. Kate Blanc Cosmetics: This is a great, small product to help heal your skin from wound and burns. This gel is made from certified organic Aloe Vera plants and contains absolutely no added color, petrochemicals, fragrance, or alcohol. This gel also is 100% guaranteed as authentic and natural and can be used as a natural cure for insect bites as well.
6. Sky Organics: This all-organic Aloe Vera gel is naturally non-sticky, making it a great topical gel for a wide range of skin conditions. The gel is made from 99.5% Aloe Vera is cold-pressed with Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, and natural preservatives. It is unscented, fragrance free and doesn’t contain alcohol. The gel will penetrate with no sticky residue leaving your skin and hair silky smooth and hydrated.
7. Earth´s Daughter: Earth´s Daughter organic Aloe Vera gel comes in both 8 ounce and 12 ounce presentations. It is naturally made from 99.75% organic Aloe Vera and promises not to include any color, fragrance, water, alcohol, parabens or petrochemicals. It can be used as a natural hair gel to protect your scalp from dandruff and leaves no oily or sticky residue.
8. Lily of the Desert: This organic Aloe Vera gel is one of the largest on the market as it comes in a 32-ounce container. This product is certified organic by the USDA and delivers essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
9. Aloe Farms: The organic Aloe Vera gel provided by Aloe Farms is another 32 ounce product. Though this is one of the cheaper products on the market, xanthan (thickener), potassium sorbate (preservative), ascorbic acid (preservative), and citric acid (preservative). It is organic Aloe Vera juice with a few natural preservatives to give it a long shelf life.
10. Art Naturals: Art Naturals also offers an organic Aloe Vera gel that is free of parabens and other harmful chemical preservatives. It is an artisanal quality gel that is both organic and cold-pressed. This product promises to promote healthy hair growth while naturally hydrating your skin.
11. Green Leaf Naturals: Another great product is offered by Green Leaf Naturals. Their organic Aloe Vera gel comes in a two pack (two 8 ounce bottles) and is a thin-gel formula that is perfect for external application on your skin and hair. Furthermore, if you purchase three items, the fourth is free.
12. Nature Republic: Lastly, Nature Republic offers one of the most inexpensive organic Aloe Vera gels on the market. Their 10.56 fluid ounce presentation is made from 92 percent organic Aloe Vera gel. The product is also approved organic by the CCOF (California certified organic farmers) and includes no harmful, chemical preservatives.