Thorny plants are loathed by many but beyond the thorns are actual benefits that we can use and apply whenever necessary. Roses are given by affectionate males to woo their prospective partners. Cacti are among the favorite decorative plants of landscape artists. Perhaps the thorny plant with the most number of benefits is the aloe vera. Not only is it decorative, but it also has significant uses as a form of medicine.

Aloe is believed to be an effective treatment for wounds. Studies also show that the plant can be used to treat some human and animal diseases. Of course, aloe is still not prescribed in hospitals but its extract is used in making medicine. Herbalists worldwide administer its extract for a wide variety of conditions, including serious illnesses and simple inconveniences like hair loss. Let’s tackle all the benefits of this wondrous plant.

1. Hair Grower Substitute – Hair loss is an unflattering condition that is usually attached with aging. People go through expensive treatments like hair grafting or attaching toupees to their scalps. Even a tiny bottle of hair grower is pricey, given the amount of the solution. Before going through all these expensive anti-hair loss methods, you can try rubbing aloe gel on your scalp. Research says that aloe extract is known to promote the hair growth. In fact, some hair growers have a good dose of aloe vera mixed in the solution.

2. Skin Moisturizer – Some skin moisturizers contain compounds extracted from aloe vera. These compounds promote skin hydration. They also have a slightly viscous base, that displaces dirt from your skin. If you don;t have a bottle of moisturizer available, you can just tear off an aloe branch and mix it with a little water. Apply the mixture on your skin to get results that are almost as good as an actual moisturizer.

3. Diabetes Prevention – After undergoing research, aloe extract has been proven to increase blood glucose levels. Research claims that aloe can prevent or at least slow down the development of diabetes. Medications given to diabetics also contain significant amounts of aloe. The plant is clearly the herbalist’s method to control the deadly disease.

4. Strengthens Your Pets’ Immune Systems – Mix some aloe gel to the food of your pets and they will have an instant aid against cancers. Make sure that it is well mixed with strong-flavored pet food. Your pets might snub the aloe solution if it is taken with the near tasteless dog or cat biscuit. Veterinarians have tested the efficacy of aloe gel, so you do not have to worry about the substance negatively affecting the health of your pets.

5. Anti-Fungal/Anti-Bacterial Supplement– In 2004, biologists tested the effects of aloe vera on certain bacteria. The test results showed that aloe extract inhibited the growth of the Streptococcus and Shigella bacteria. In effect, aloe has been proven to prevent horse infections and human conditions like rheumatic fever, pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea. You can take the oral aloe vera gel to prevent bacteria from acting up on your insides. You can also rub aloe vera on your skin to keep it free from microbes.

6. Wound Treatment – Given its bacteria-killing effects, aloe vera can be used to disinfect wounds. It can protect your open wounds from certain microorganisms that can cause infections. A word of caution though — the solution can slow down the actual healing process of wounds. Aloe’s moisturizing effect delays the drying up of open wounds. You can use sparing amounts of the gel so that it doesn’t totally hamper your wound’s healing.

7. Tiny Means of Water Conservation – A huge percentage of aloe extract is composed of water, which means a good number of aloe can store water. Some farms in small counties plant dozens of aloe around the area. When the dry season hits, they collect and sterilize the extract from the plants. They will then have water for personal and farm-related use.

8. Heartburn Prevention – Heartburn may not be life-threatening but it can certainly cause discomfort. Instead of waiting for the condition to subside, you can ingest oral aloe or aloe extract to speed up the healing process. Aloe is pretty bitter, so you better take it with water.

9. Flavoring – When eaten alone, aloe is rather unpalatable. Its strong bitter taste can certainly sap your appetite. Surprisingly, aloe extract blends well with some food. It is actually used as a flavoring agent for some drinks, desserts and yogurt. Try mixing small amounts of extract on your pastries. If you balance the amount of aloe correctly, you’ll be saying “Bon Appetit” in no time.

10. Garden Decoration – Plants are natural garden ornaments. You can take that definition to a whole new level by setting a theme. Group spiny plants like aloe and cactus in small bunches together, then surround each bunch with an arranged set of grass. In the end, you will have a neat-looking ornamental garden.

11. Sunscreen – Aloe vera sap is slightly viscous, despite being composed of a good percentage of water. Its base can scatter rays of sunlight, preventing the focused heating of a sensitive surface such as your skin. Given this information, you can use aloe as a substitute for sunscreen. It may not be as effective as the items sold on the market, but it can surely help when you run out of actual sunscreen.

12. Food Preservative – Food preservatives, when taken in large doses, are harmful to the body. Large amounts of preservatives can cause respiratory problems and even cause a few cancers. Eliminate the risk of getting sick by using aloe extract as a substitute preservative. The extract spurns the growth of molds and bacteria, extending the shelf life of food and produce. Your only problem now is how to contend with aloe’s agonizingly bitter taste.

Aloe vera is considered one of the most prominent plants in the world of herbal medicine. Its medicinal value is surprising. It can prevent a good number of diseases and harmful conditions. At the same time, aloe also comes as a good alternative to some of our convenient everyday items.