Magic of Aloe Vera

I love cacti.  They're such cute and interesting plants.  I suppose it is one of the many reasons I want to live in Arizona, it's cacti galore!

It is also where my low melanin skin is more prone to get sunburns.  This is where a certain cactus comes in handy... aloe vera!  It is a cactus in the Liliaceae family and has been used for a number of uses since ancient times for health benefits. 

Benefits can include

                   ↙                                               

• aid in digestion

• nutrients (a few being vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, amino acids, etc..)

• improves skins firmness (helps hide stretch marks and fights visible aging) 

• acne treatment

• moisturizes 

• treats sunburns

For today, sunburn treatment is what I have in mind, but aren't plants amazing?!  

Here's how I used aloe vera to protect my skin after a day on the beach in sunny Cali (of course applying SPF before I head out)!

The materials used are:

• 1 aloe leaf
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/8 tsp essential oil
• sharp knife
• bowl
• fork or blender

1. Use a sharp knife to cut as closely to the base as possible.  It should be an easy clean cut!

2. Slice the leaf in half long-ways, and scrape the gel into a bowl (it’s a rather satisfying process).

3. Add a small scoop (about 1 tbsp) of coconut oil.  The coconut oil helps to moisturize and give thickness to the gel solution.  Plus, who doesn’t love coconut oil?!

As much as I love aloe as a natural source for its healing properties, the smell of an opened aloe leaf is a little too natural for me (not in a pleasant way!) 

4. To help with the scent, I added a few drops (about 1/8 tsp) of essential oil.  The one I chose to use is a combo of lavender, chamomile, and sage.  In addition to the lovely aroma, the oils contain terpenes than can have soothing effects.

 Combine everything in a blender.  Although using a fork is fine too, I find that a blender works better.

Seal the lotion/gel in a container and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.  That way, when you apply it, you can instantly feel the cooling effects!  

Note that this is better used sooner than later since there are no artificial preservatives.  We don’t want any bad bacteria growing!

To best help with a burn, keep applying it throughout the day.  Stay hydrated!

Let me know in the comment section if you’ve tried this, or tell me how you love to use aloe vera!!

Julia