The Natural Way

In the past few months I have taken a huge interest in natural remedies and natural products that can be very helpful and healing to the body. As I have been learning more about these natural products I have been thinking how much sense it makes that these things made naturally in this world that God created are the things that can help, heal, improve our bodies and improve our way of life the most. That's what these things were created for and God wants us to take full advantage of these things that he has created to help and to heal us.
 There is no doubt that man made things are necessary and some just make life easier and enjoyable but I am really starting to question some of the man made products that are supposed to heal and relieve symptoms of pain and sickness. I still have much to learn but I really want to get the word out about these natural remedies. Not only are they natural and safe but can be so much less expensive. These days everyone loves things that are inexpensive.  I sure think it is worth trying and I actually have.

100% Aloe Vera gel is fabulous stuff. You can also use Aloe Vera straight out of the plant. Just break a piece off an squeeze the gel out the open end or slit it down the middle and scrape the gel out. Just a word of caution about the gel right out of the plant. It smells pretty bad! The stuff in the bottle has no smell. I'm sure there are certain things that the gel from the plant is good for though. So here is a list I have found of fabulous uses for Aloe Vera. If you know of any others please share.

Uses for Aloe Vera

• Body Scrub Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the                 shower.
• Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen — from grease splatters or hot utensils — with a mix of aloe gel and vitamin E oil.
• Soothe and heal sunburns. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
• Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
• Foot Mask For soft feet make an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup  of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
• Swab over blisters for quick relief.
• Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!
• Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
• Exfoliating  Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together 2 tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
• Salt scrub For rougher patches of skin, mix together an organic salt scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
• Alleviate asthma Boil Aloe leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
• Prevent/Fade Stretch Marks, Age Spots, Freckles Begin massaging aloe vera on your stomach twice a day and continue throughout your pregnancy and after delivery for a few months until any stretch marks fade.
• Hemorrhoid Relief The very same anti-inflammatory constituents that reduce blistering and inflammation in burns also help reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids. Break off a piece of the aloe vera leaf and apply only the clear gel to the hemorrhoids.
• Intestinal Problems Remedy Taken internally, it heals stomach ulcers and heartburn, and in general soothes the digestive tract. Adverse effects reported from ingesting Aloe Vera include diarrhea and kidney trouble. 
• Strengthen Weak Nails Gently massage aloe on your nail beds every day for a few weeks and watch them gain their former luster.
• Soothe Razor Burn. Rub onto razor burns for some much-needed relief!
• Makeup Remover Safely removes eye makeup and is gentle on the delicate skin around your eyes.
• Skin & Sunburn Soothe Acne, eczema, and skin irritation respond well to the natural antiseptics in Aloe. Apply gel 2-3 times a day to the area until it is healed. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol which makes it a great way to sooth sunburns. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn.
• Natural Shaving Gel and Aftershave Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory thanks to its enzymes and with its high water content, it is very hydrating. It provides a smooth surface on your skin giving you a very close shave. Aloe also can be used as an aftershave to prevent razor burn.
• Wrinkle Repair Skin loves Vitamins C and E which are present in Aloe, helping to improve skins firmness and keep it hydrated. Combining virgin coconut oil can make a creamier way to supplement nutrients, essential fats and moisture. Aloe Vera gel penetrates skin almost four times faster than water, and its super emollient qualities help it moisturize the under layers of skin.
• Cold and Flu Aloe Vera boosts the immune system. It contains a long list of Phytonutrients. It contains Vitamin A, B, C, E. It contains a long list of minerals, plant sterols and enzymes.
• Energy Booster Another medicinal use of aloe vera is boosting energy levels. This is due to the vitamin b complexes and other nutrients that aid in converting a higher percentage of the food in your stomach to energy.
• Eliminating Dandruff Mix it with your shampoo, hair conditioner, and other hair care products. Or….before bedtime wet hair thoroughly with aloe vera juice and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly in the morning.
• Menstrual Cramps Aloe vera gel and black pepper: Take a spoon of the gel with a pinch of pepper three times a day till you get relief.
• Hair Smoother Aloe vera gel fights frizz in hair and is a great replacement for expensive styling products.
• Natural Hand Sanitizer Combine 5-10 drops lavender essential oil; 30 drops tea tree essential oil; 1 Tablespoon witch hazel; 8 ounces 100% pure aloe vera gel. Add several drops of Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative to increase shelf life of this product. (It will also help soften hands!)
• Leave-in Conditioner/Scalp Soother Mix aloe vera gel with a little rosemary essential oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil, squirt on scalp and ends of hair.  Do not rinse, and this mixture soothes an itchy scalp and softens hair.

• Natural Mouthwash Make a homemade aloe vera mouthwash by mixing 2 ounces of Aloe Vera Gel; 3 teaspoons of baking soda; 1 ounce of water, preferably room temperature; 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 5 – 10 drops peppermint essential oil.  Rinse..and repeat!
• Regularity Booster A daily intake of 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel will act like a general tonic and as a mild regulator of the bowels.
• (In)Digestion Aloe vera juice can be effective in aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach, and providing relief for heartburn.
• Cholesterol Lowering Studies have shown that drinking aloe vera juice can safely lower cholesterol over time.
• Psoriasis and Eczema Aloe Vera gel softens and soothes this painful and itchy skin conditions.  Just apply the gel directly on the skin three times a day for about a month. Studies show an almost 85 percent effective rate of these diseases.
• Acne Treatment Aloe Vera clears acne by removing the dead cells, thus opening the skin pores and removal of the blocked oil. Apply directly on the outbreak. Scars that have been left by acne can also be treated with aloe.
• Shingles Shingles which is the adult version of chickenpox, usually occurs in adults with a low immune system. Aloe Vera can be used on painful shingles caused by the herpes virus. By applying aloe directly on the open sores it dilates the blood vessels, which aids in healing the wounds.
•  Sunscreen Aloe Vera protects against both types of ultraviolet rays that cause premature aging and that cause sunburn and skin darkening of the sun.
• Personal Lubricant Aloe Vera works as an excellent personal lubricant. Not only does it soothe and heal the delicate areas around the sexual and reproductive organs in both men and women but also provides great natural moisturizing.
• Deodorizing Body Spray Make a refreshing deodorizing spray from aloe and citrus. Combine 7 oz distilled water; 1 oz aloe vera gel; 60 drops mandarin essential oil (or sweet orange). Spray onto hands and/or feet as needed to remove sweat or stickiness. Let dry naturally.
• Dyed Hair Treatment Use aloe after dying your hair. It moisturizes and gives it a brilliant and healthy look without the greasy feel of other balms.
• Hair Detangler Mix one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a couple drops of glycerin and grapefruit oil, half a teaspoon of grapeseed extract and eight ounces of clean water. Keep this solution in a spray bottle, spraying lightly while in the shower. Keep in mind that citrus oils are sensitive to sun rays, so use caution before heavy sun exposure.
• Eliminating Canker Sores Aloe vera contains vitamins as well as amino acids that help repair damaged tissues. Research has found that canker sore sufferers who applied aloe vera gel healed about 50 per cent faster than those who didn’t.
• Vaginal Yeast Infections You can treat a vaginal infection by applying Aloe externally and by drinking the gel for its anti-fungal properties. Four to six ounces aloe vera gel daily can help manage Candida colonies in the body naturally and to help keep Candida in check. Moreover, continued use may prevent further infections from occurring.
• Pet Care Aloe vera gel makes a great cleaner for your dog’s ears. It cleans, deodorizes and acidifies your pup’s ears so they stay healthier. Place a small amount of pure aloe vera gel in your pet’s ears. Allow your dog to shake head and dab any excess away with a cotton ball. Use once a week and after swimming. Use aloe gel to treat your pet’s flaking, itching skin or to soothe poison ivy and poison oak rashes. Aloe vera juice has been used internally to treat arthritis in older dogs.
• Nail-Biting Solution Brush a child’s fingernails with aloe vera juice, which has a very bitter taste to discourage nail biting.
• Weight Loss Researchers have found that drinking aloe vera juice lowers blood sugar, a positive effect for those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Scientists believe that by keeping blood sugar low, you’ll lose weight.
• Dark Armpits Rub some aloe vera gel under your arms to get rid of dark skin under the armpits.
• Reduce Pore Size Remove the peel from one cucumber and chop the cucumber roughly. Combine the cucumber, 50 grams of aloe vera gel and 50 milliliters (a little more than 1.5 ounces) of water in a blender. Mix until the ingredients are smooth and creamy. Smooth the aloe vera cream mixture over your face. Do not rinse it off. Keep the cream on your face overnight. Rinse the cream off of your face in the morning. Wash your face and apply a toner to remove any leftover residue. Let the toner dry and apply a moisturizer as the last step.
• Combating Anemia Using aloe vera promotes the production of more red blood cells in your body and fight off anemia.
• Relieving Arthritis Pain Because of its anti-inflammatory properties you can reduce the inflammation of the joints and the resulting pain by applying aloe vera gel to the area where you are experiencing the pain.
• Alleviating Earaches A few drops of aloe vera juice can bring a good amount of relief if you are having ear pain.
• Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
• Shrink warts
• Fight Athlete's Foot

I really hope that you discover many of these uses for Aloe that work for you. I'm excited to try some I have not tried yet. I will keep you updated. Talk to you soon.