Aloe Vera.. An Internal Beautifier

Aloe Vera is a perennial succulent we have been using to fill our window and wall gardens for years now.  It is not just the healing topical gel that we all know it to be. For years, the popular plants’ juicy fillets are opened for their gooey gel to use as conditioning or burn treatment.

Cleopatra is known to have used the leaves for a face ‘lifting’ cream.

The healing powers and anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to the high concentration of MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), polysaccharides (plant steroids), and salicylic acid (a close relative of aspirin) present in the leaves. Try your own tonic:

ALOE BEAUTIFYING TONIC

• 2oz aloe vera juice from the inner fillet*

• ½ a lemon, juiced

• ½ C of blended papaya as a digestive aide.

You want to choose your aloe vera that is farmed from an outdoor source due to the rain water exposure  The concentration of MSM will be higher and deliver greater health benefits.

MSM is an incredible supplement found in plants which is found to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation by increasing glutathione levels, and boost immunity. One fascinating benefit is speed of recovery by reducing muscle damage and stress during exhaustive exercise.

Check out this study: https://wwwncbinlmnihgov/m/pubmed/17082364/

*Most health food stores carry several options of aloe vera, along with your local juice bars.