Some of us want to live to be 100. And as we feel our youth slip away, we start looking for ways to keep looking and feeling gorgeous as we age. Sure, there are all sorts of fancy inventions that have proved to help us live longer. Just think about how many people wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for the invention of a pacemaker. But at the same time, nature also provides us with some cool substances that enhance human health. One such substance is aloe vera, a succulent plant revered for its myriad health benefits.
You’ve probably seen it growing somewhere. Maybe you have a plant yourself. You may know it for its soothing properties for sunburns, but did you know you can eat it and it might make you feel gorgeous and healthy?
Aloe vera is a medicine we use in Ayurveda for a few different things. For example, it’s used as an anti-inflammatory for internal and external skin. It’s also an emmenagogue - a substance that brings blood flow to the uterus - so if a woman hasn’t had a period for a bit, then aloe may be used to provoke one. But even for those males and females who don’t have menstrual cycles, aloe holds remarkable potential as a supplement for addressing two common concerns: a weak metabolism and the signs of aging.
First, Understanding Metabolism and Aging
Before delving into how aloe vera can help, it's essential to understand the role of metabolism and aging in our bodies. Your body metabolizes - converts - food into energy, and that fuels essential functions like breathing, circulation, and cellular repair. As we age, our metabolism can slow down, leading to decreased energy levels, weight gain, and a host of other health issues. Additionally, aging is accompanied by the gradual decline of cellular structure and function, resulting in visible signs such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity. With all the access we have to addictive yummy foods that can end up clogging up our blood and other channels, we need all the help we can get to keep regenerating our bodies in a way that is functionally sound!
Aloe Vera: Nature's Gift for Metabolism and Anti-Aging
Here are a few ways that aloe vera can support your gorgeous aging naturally:
Boosts Metabolism: Aloe vera contains enzymes that aid digestion and help regulate metabolism, promoting efficient nutrient absorption and waste elimination. It improves bile flow, which can be one of the culprits in stagnant digestion. Drinking aloe vera juice or incorporating it into other drinks can support digestive health, improve nutrient uptake, and enhance metabolic function. I often recommend people mix cleansing herbal supplements into aloe to enhance their effect.
Supports Cellular Health: Aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, which help neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress. By reducing cellular damage, aloe vera supports healthy aging from the inside out, helping to maintain skin elasticity and vitality.
Enhances Collagen Production: Collagen is a protein that provides structure and support to the skin, helping to maintain its firmness and resilience. Aloe vera contains compounds that stimulate collagen production, helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and promoting a more youthful complexion.
Reduces Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a key contributor to aging and age-related diseases. Aloe vera possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, supporting overall health and well-being. Its cooling properties indeed make it an ideal choice to help with inflammation - whether that be on the external skin or the gut skin.
How to Incorporate Aloe Vera into Your Self-Care Routine
Adding aloe vera to your weekly or daily routine is simple and can help you have more energy, vitality and even firmer-looking skin. Here are some easy ways to incorporate aloe vera into your regimen:
Drink aloe vera juice: Start your day with 1-2 tbsp of pure aloe vera juice, alone or in water, or add it to your favorite morning beverage for a refreshing and nutritious boost. Blend the clear pulp from the inside of the plant, or buy it prepared already.
Use aloe vera gel: Apply pure aloe vera gel topically to your skin wherever you have inflammation or redness for a cooling effect. (I recently rubbed the clear inside of a plant on the elbow of a loved one who had bursitis).
Take aloe vera supplements: If you prefer a convenient option, consider taking aloe vera supplements in capsule or tablet form to support metabolism and cellular health from within. However, these supplements can be far more drying than the juice, so I wouldn’t use them for more than 7 days if you are over 50.
A Word of Caution
It’s important not to overdo any substance. Here are a few examples of caution needed with aloe. Because aloe is cooling in nature, if you take it for a long time, it can have a drying effect. One way you’ll know you should stop is if you’ve been taking it for a long time and start to feel constipated. Or if you are suffering from heartburn or reflux, I have found that aloe causes more discomfort, and in those cases, I would recommend other types of cooling herbs. And, if you are trying to conceive a child, it’s best not to take aloe at conception or during pregnancy because it can increase the blood flow to the uterus, and that’s a delicate balance that needs to be maintained for a little embryo to take hold.
Because there are so many different types of supplements out there, I'm sometimes amazed by just how many things people take when they first book a consultation with me. Sometimes we take things that a friend is taking or that we read about, but they might not be the best supplement for us. As we strive to maintain gorgeous vitality on our journey to 100, incorporating the most effective natural remedies into our weekly or daily routines can provide valuable support for metabolism and anti-aging.
Plants are amazing! Some people will benefit from harnessing the power of this ancient one, promoting optimal health, longevity, and radiant vitality at any age. Are you one of them?
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