How to Grow and Use Aloe Vera for Health Care

Aloe vera, also known as the aloe plant, is a succulent species that thrives in dry and hot climates. This stemless or short-stemmed plant can grow up to one meter in height. Its thick, fleshy leaves range from green to gray-green, often with white spots on the upper and lower surfaces. Outdoor aloe plants may produce yellow flowers, while indoor potted ones typically do not. The gel from aloe vera can be used to treat wounds, heal burns, moisturize dry skin, and even address cold sores. Continue reading to learn how to grow and use aloe vera for health care.

Purchase an aloe vera plant. Buy a small aloe vera plant from a garden store and transplant it into a larger pot. With proper care, the plant will grow and provide you with plenty of leaves for health care purposes.

• Choose a wide pot for planting, as aloe vera often produces offsets or pups.

Use the right type of soil. The most important factor when choosing soil for aloe vera is that it should be fertile and drain quickly, as the plant itself stores a lot of water and will wilt if planted in slow-draining soil. Use high-quality potting mix or a pre-packaged 'cactus and succulent mix,' as these soils provide excellent drainage.

Place the aloe vera plant in a sunny spot. If you prefer to keep the plant indoors, place it near a window to maximize sunlight exposure. In temperate climates, ensure the plant receives direct sunlight. Artificial light can also be used if natural sunlight is limited in your area.

• In regions with snow or frost, this plant should be grown indoors or in a heated greenhouse.

Check the soil before watering. Use your fingers to test the soil and determine if watering is needed. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry completely before each watering. Aloe vera thrives in dry, hot climates and can survive drought, but it grows best when watered every few days.

• Water less frequently in winter, as the plant drains more slowly. Overwatering can cause root rot and potentially kill the plant.

Repot the plant if necessary. When the pot becomes overcrowded with pups growing around the mother plant, separate them and repot into new containers. This ensures adequate space for growth and helps prevent pests.

• Lift the entire plant out to locate the pups. Use sharp scissors or a knife to separate them from the mother plant.
• Repot the mother plant after removing the pups and plant them in individual pots.

Extract aloe vera gel when needed for health care. The leaves of the aloe vera plant are filled with gel, which you can harvest whenever necessary. It’s best to harvest only when you need it. Cut a leaf from the plant and squeeze or scoop out the clear gel inside.

• If harvesting in larger quantities, you can slice the aloe vera leaf lengthwise to extract all the gel inside.
• Harvest only what you need for immediate use. Any leftover gel can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Apply aloe vera after sun exposure. You can directly apply fresh aloe vera gel to sunburned skin to cool and heal it. Reapply every few hours to keep the skin moisturized if needed.

• Try refrigerating the aloe vera gel for an hour or two before applying it to sunburned skin. Chilled aloe vera provides a soothing cooling effect.
• Remember that aloe vera has been traditionally used as a sunburn remedy, but there is limited scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness in healing sunburned skin.

Use aloe vera to treat minor burns. Aloe vera is effective in treating minor burns and may even help speed up the healing process. Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to the burn, but avoid using it on bleeding, blistered, or severely damaged skin.

Massage aloe vera gel into the scalp to prevent dandruff. Aloe vera has been found to help treat dandruff. Simply take a small amount of aloe vera gel and massage it into your scalp.

• After shampooing, take a small amount of aloe vera gel in your palm (about the same amount as your regular shampoo).
• Use your fingers to massage the gel into your scalp and leave it on your hair. Repeat this process every time you wash your hair.

Apply aloe vera to treat cold sores. Aloe vera has been found to be effective in treating herpes, also known as cold sores. When you feel a cold sore forming, take a small amount of aloe vera gel on your fingertip and dab it onto the sore. Reapply as needed to keep the area covered with aloe vera gel.

Apply aloe vera to dry skin. Aloe vera can be used as a moisturizer or to treat dry skin. Try replacing your regular lotion with fresh aloe vera gel. Use the gel just like you would use lotion. Apply it all over your body and massage it into your skin.