
Aloe vera and other plants and their extracts have real potential to heal and regenerate lost skin tissue. Turmeric contains curcumin (diferuloyl methane), which is effective for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. A 2003 study titled “The Efficacy of Indigenous Medicines in Wound Healing”, which was published it the Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, showed that curcumin was able to effectively treat wounds in laboratory rats very efficiently. Furthermore, in Africa, aloe vera is very often referred to as the “lily of the desert,” which essentially shows that it was considered the plant of immortality. Aloe Vera also has a deep history. Since 1500 B.C. in Egypt, it has been used to treat burns, wounds, and ulcers. How exactly does Aloe Vera work? A big part of its effectiveness stems from the fact that it forms a protective coat on the skin that speed up the healing process beneath. However, the real proof is in its long history of use in so many parts of the world.

Corrosive chemical agents added to our water, diet and environment can lead to irreversible skin damage including ulcers, scabs, skin pigmentations and bleeding to an unsuspecting public. The problem is most serious with those forced to handle the dangerous substances regularly. Some such pollutants such as SO2 (sulfur dioxide), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), CO2 (Carbon dioxide) and others, can burn skin and actually kill living tissues on contact. Luckily, aloe vera and turmeric have many amino acids and carboxylic functional groups that can work to neutralize skin and act as anticorrosive protectants. The study, conducted by Rajesh Kumar Singh, showed that Aloe Vera-turmeric gel relieved swelling and healed corrosive skin faster and more effectively than any other compounds tried. In the study, the Aloe Vera-Turmeric gel was applied at different concentration levels and on different time intervals to try to find the optimal use of the gel. The results showed that Aloe Vera acted to protect the skin surface while the turmeric acted as both filler and a form of pigmentation that effectively treated skin that had been corroded by flue gas, sewage, and waste. The study also showed that turmeric obstructs the porosities of the Aloe Vera gel by controlling the aggression of corrosive pollutants and by slowing down the skin corrosion reaction. Ultimately, the study concluded that application of the Turmeric and Aloe Vera gel minimizes the corrosion rate of skin. Yet, while Aloe Vera and Turmeric are effective healers, it would still be best if human beings were not forced to be exposed to these harsh, corrosive, chemicals. But that is another article!

Turmeric has repeatedly proven to be powerful when applied to the skin, but has also been tremendous as an anti-inflammatory when consumed internally, be it in supplement form, or better yet, in the more natural “as a part of a meal” form. Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that Bioperine, which is an extract found in black pepper (the pepper is used in many meals where turmeric is present), increases the absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has significant effects on inflammatory markers in the body, thereby assisting the body in reducing inflammation overall.

By the way, you may want to grow your own Aloe, it is simple and easy to grow. Not to mention that it is a wonderful thing to have on hand!
Happy Gardening!!