Imagine coming across a spiked succulent plant in the middle of the desert, desperately dehydrated and sunburned. Would you imagine that the remedy for your ills lies within this thorny green plant? As a matter of fact, it might! Aloe has been used as a healing substance for millennia. You might be most familiar with it as a sunscreen soother, likely sold in gel form at your local pharmacy, but aloe also has many other uses and benefits.

At AspenKay Naturals, we strive to find and use the best natural substances in our products. We craft our handmade soaps with care, striving to deliver outstanding results for our customers. Our team is also committed to helping educate our clients about the ingredients we use so that they can be informed and take charge of their skincare. Read on to learn more about what aloe is, this time-honored treatment’s advantages, and how AspenKay Naturals can avail you of them.

You might think of aloe as a single plant, but it actually isn’t. In reality, the word “aloe” describes a whole family of related plants, which tend to have green, fleshy leaves. The Plant List connects aloe to over 1400 species! When people use the term “aloe” in daily life, they’re most often referring to aloe vera, a specific type of aloe which translates directly to “true aloe.” Aloe vera contains a unique gel within its leaves which has been found to possess a variety of beneficial properties. The extract from the aloe vera plant is so popular that it itself is often referred to as “aloe vera,” as well. This substance is quite easy to harvest, since all you need to do is open up the leaf and scoop it out. For this reason, aloe vera gel is often minimally processed, coming directly from the plant.

While it might be hard to imagine the first person who came across a jagged aloe plant and assumed it might be helpful, the fact of the matter is that people have been using aloe vera for thousands of years. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine points out: “Aloe vera’s use can be traced back 6,000 years to Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the ‘plant of immortality,’ aloe was presented as a funeral gift to pharaohs.” The Aloe Medical Group International highlights notable historical uses of aloe, such as when the famed philosopher “Aristotle convinced Alexander the Great to capture the Island of Socotra specifically to gain its aloe groves” or when “The Maya Indians christened the highly resourceful juice of this desert plant as the ‘Fountain of Youth.’” All around the world and throughout the centuries, people’s praise for aloe as a healing substance has endured.

Perhaps seeing this plant described as a “Fountain of Youth” and a “Plant of Immortality” has piqued your interest, but what are aloe’s actual benefits? Aloe vera gel’s advantages may include its:

• Unique taste. According to Medical News Today, aloe vera “is approved by the FDA [the United States Food and Drug Administration] as a flavoring.”
• Preservative power. A 2014 study published by the Cambridge University press tested the “effects of Aloe vera coating on postharvest quality of tomato” and found that “the pure aqueous extract of Aloe vera totally inhibited the growth of” two types of fungi and “the diluted aqueous extract of Aloe vera coating maintained the quality of tomatoes during storage in ambient conditions.” These results indicate that aloe vera could be used as a natural replacement for harmful pesticides.
• Cavity-fighting capacity. According to a 2014 study published in the Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, “Aloe vera may prove an effective mouthwash due to its ability in reducing dental plaque.” Swishing with aloe could give you a brighter smile!
• Use in wound healing. A 2017 study published in the scientific journal, Northern Clinics of Istanbul found that an “aloe vera-based extract of the N. oleander leaf...is a promising remedy for treating skin burn injury.”
• Skin-enhancing abilities. Aloe vera offers a variety of benefits when applied to the skin, such as:
• The classic sunburn treatment. Mind Body Green reports: “Aloe vera helps with sunburn through its powerful healing activity at the epithelial level of the skin, a layer of cells that cover the body. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. because of its nutritional qualities and antioxidant properties, the skin heals quicker.”
• Anti-aging assistance. Aloe can do more than preserve produce - Mind Body Green explains: “aloe leaves contain a plethora of antioxidants including beta carotene, vitamin C and [vitamin] E that can help improve the skin’s natural firmness and keep the skin hydrated.”
• Acne treatment. Style Craze points out that, since aloe has “antibacterial properties,” “magnesium lactate” to “alleviate the itching sensation,” and an “astringent property” to “[remove] excess oil and dirt from the skin,” it is an excellent for those with blemishes or similar skin conditions.
• Warding off skin conditions. A 2017 article in Medicines (Basel) concluded that “prophylactic use of an AVC [Aloe Vera-based Cream]...is thus effective in delaying radiation dermatitis [skin inflammation and irritation resulting from radiation treatment] in head and neck cancer.” This is just one example of aloe vera’s apparent ability to combat skin issues.

These are just a few of the most common benefits aloe vera can provide. Aloe vera’s clear value as a topical treatment make it a great addition to AspenKay Natural soaps.

We use organic aloe vera in our Oatmeal & Aloe bar soap, as well as our Aloe Vera & Calendula bar soap. You can use these products to cleanse your skin and experience everything aloe has to offer.

Order your first bar of handmade aloe soap today!