There are some things that you don’t even look at when passing them by but they can be as important. Aloe vera is one of those plants that have nothing attractive about them, and you can mistake them for being an irrelevant plant, but as we are about to find out, is that they are very important, and you can as well plant them on your backyard.My friend Michael went to buy a newspaper one Saturday morning feeling very tired and sickly. As he was buying the newspaper he realised there was an old woman sitting next to the newspaper vendor looking at him straight in the eyes. Unknown to him his eyes had changed colour to jaundice yellow. My son, you better seek treatment, and not in the hospital the old woman told him, as she was looking at him keenly. When he asked why, the old woman indicated to him that the yellowness in his eyes was a sign of a liver problem.Michael decided to consult a doctor friend come early Monday morning; trully the doctor confirmed what the old lady told him and adviced him to seek treatment. Instead of seeking treatment in the hospital, he went to inquire about the traditional treatment the old lady suggested to him. Fortunately the old woman could write, so she wrote a name of the plant in her vernacular and gave him the piece of paper.Fast forward; Michael went to a traditional doctor who is licenced by the government to practise traditional medicine, and was given instruction to prepare the medicine and the dosage, only for him to find later that the socalled medicine is Aloe vera, which has been growing in the backyard of his house for over six years. According to him, he took his medication religiously and his doctor gave him a clean bill of health, months later.Unknown to many, Aloe Vera has been used as a healing agent for centuries. It is only that in some parts of the world, it was just another tree. More recently, natural health advocates have discovered not only new uses, but also new ways to introduce Aloe Vera or the wonder plant as it is known today into your body.People who suffer from irritable bowels and ulcers have been known to benefit a lot from aloe vera. It has been used in the treatment of skin infections. In fact manufacturers of cosmetics today will attest that any cosmetic product that is known to have been made out of aloe vera sells like hot cake. Aloe vera hydrates cracked, dry skin and helps restore softness; it has also been used in anti-aging lotions. My family and I use Colgate which has some aloe vera elements in it because of the obvious reasons.Another one of Aloe Vera’s benefits is the amount of vitamins contained in its juice. Aloe Vera juice provides vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E. The juice is also a great source of Folic Acid and Niacin. The benefits of aloe vera go beyond vitamin content and antioxidants. Calcium, iron, potassium and zinc are all found in Aloe Vera gel and juice. Such important minerals are an often-overlooked part of our diet, but a simple daily regimen of aloe can help ensure you are getting your essential minerals.Aloe Vera can increase energy level and metabolism. Aloe Vera has natural immune system enhancing properties, which help keep your body strong and able to fight off sickness. The juice can help your immune system stay healthy.
