on How to Grow Aloe Vera and Have a Wonderful Plant at Hand
Aloe vera is a plant that is beautiful to look at, but above all, rich in properties. Its gel is soothing and refreshing, a true ally not only for beauty but also for well-being. To enjoy all its benefits, it is better to always have it on hand, rather than buying creams and ointments. So let’s see how to grow aloe vera at home .
Aloe vera: what you need to know
Aloe vera is easy to grow, but there are a few basic things you need to pay attention to.
It is native to Africa and requires plenty of direct sunlight and a warm, dry climate. It prefers temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius, so in winter it is best to place it in sheltered areas. This is because the water in the leaves would freeze and the plant would suffer a thermal shock, causing its immediate death.
Aloe vera should be grown in the ground, but it also does very well in a very large pot, in which you should place a layer of gravel of at least 2 or 3 centimeters to allow excess water to be absorbed and to avoid the risk of rotting the roots.
It should not be watered often, on the contrary, once every 15 days is enough, because if on the one hand it does not fear drought, on the other hand it could rot due to excess water and stagnation.
Aloe vera gel
Before using aloe vera gel from your plant, it is good to know that to extract it, the plant must be at least 3 years old.
To make it, simply cut a leaf from the bottom and then score it along the outline. Cut it at a point and let the gel escape, or cut the leaf in half to scoop out the entire contents with a spoon. The gel can then be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed glass jar for about two weeks.
8 Ways to Use Aloe Vera Gel
The gel contains aloin, a substance with laxative effects.
When taking the gel, there may be a yellowish part, which must be removed if you want to drink the aloe juice. On the contrary, there is no need.
Below we show you 8 ways to best use aloe vera gel.
Hair pack: applied before shampooing, leave on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing to obtain soft and silky hair. In addition, the product can be a valid natural substitute for gel;
Face cream: moisturizing and light, Aloe Vera can be used in summer as a substitute for face and body cream;
Anti-burn cream: suitable for relieving burns, Aloe should be applied to skin reddened by the sun and within minutes there will be a feeling of freshness and well-being;
Pimple Cream: The gel is an anti-inflammatory and healing product, ideal if you have acne or small pimples. The transparent consistency allows you to apply it at any time of the day without being visible;
Anti-dandruff mask: this unsightly problem can be annoying, but with Aloe it can be easily solved. Simply sprinkle a spoonful of the product on your scalp, massage it in while applying, and after leaving it on for about 30 minutes, you can proceed with shampooing;
Anti-inflammatory gum: The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of the gel are the effective remedy against gum inflammation, simply apply and massage the product on the affected area. In addition, Aloe can be used as a natural mouthwash. Simply dilute a spoonful of gel in a glass of water and add a pinch of bicarbonate to have a 100% natural product;
Mosquito repellent: The itching and redness derived from mosquito bites can be annoying, but to reduce the effects we can apply the all-natural gel to the affected part;
Disinfectant: Disinfecting your hands is often important. To do so with a green product, you can use aloe vera gel. If you want a scented product, you can add a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil.