It is indeed hard to believe, but the garden-decorative herb Aloe Vera, which you possess in your house, has an evidenced age of more than 5000 years. This herb found was to be a part of many ancient civilizations such as Traditional Chinese Civilization, Mediterranean Civilization, ancient Egyptian civilization and Greek Civilization etc.
Though used as a decorative plant in most of the houses, Aloe Vera has come out with innumerable health benefits that have brought about a revolution in the medicinal industry. 

Origin and Structure of Aloe Vera: 

Aloe Vera is a species of Aloe that originated in Eastern Africa and Mediterranean Regions. Ancient scripture has confirmed its usage in Africa, Egypt, and Greece and even in Indian Ayurveda. It contains medicinal properties and used mostly for cosmetics.

Aloe vera is a short-stemmed plant which could obtain a height of about 60 to 100 cm. It has thick, green leaves which are fleshy from inside and could have a colour ranging from green to grey. The leaves have serrated structures at both the ends, which gives the impression of a cactus.

The plant oozes out white gel-like structure from inside which has innumerable health and beauty benefits for the humans. This gel could be used raw, internally and externally, and gets used in many medicinal preparations for the everyday use of the people.

The Aloe Vera plant also bears seasonal buds and flowers.

Nutritional Value of Aloe Vera: 

Just as many other cactus plants do, Aloe Vera has composed almost 99 per cent of water. The remaining 1 per cent is believed to be made up of about 150 distinct kinds of Phytochemicals that have innumerable benefits. 

It has a good anthology of about 12 kinds of vitamins such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B12, C, E and K etc. A hoard of minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, zinc, selenium, germanium, copper, potassium and manganese are also present in the Aloe Vera gel.

Aloe Vera is also made up of about 18 varieties of Amino acids and is said to be one of the healthiest, organic remedies that could be used by human beings. Following its properties, many industries manufacture products that are composed of aloe vera and researchers too, have come out with many new disease-inhibiting qualities of the aloe vera. 
Forms of Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera could be used in many forms by human beings such as:

Aloe Vera Gel (The Raw Form): The raw gel from aloe vera which gets freshly obtained from the plant, could be used in many purposes such as consumption, applying on the skin for the cosmetic purposes and applying on cuts and wounds to heal them. 

Aloe vera gel, though very beneficial in its usage, could have a slightly bitter taste. It is why many of the people are resistant to use it, or they combine it with some sweetener before consuming it.  The antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities in aloe vera juice efficiently facilitate the process of wound healing.

Aloe Vera Juice: Like many other products, aloe vera gel could be converted easily to its juice as most of it is already water. The liquid is for those who do not have easy access to the plant. 

As aloe vera juice gets prepared with the least amount of additives for its preservation, it could prove as healthy as the natural gel itself. It is said to render many inner advantages to the body of humans, including its antibacterial and immunity-enhancing benefits.

Aloe Vera Supplements: Aloe Vera could also get converted to many supplemental forms such as aloe vera capsules and aloe vera tablets. These, if prepared organically, are said to be very beneficial for human health and could support those who resist the taste of aloe vera gel and juice.

Apart from these, there are various lotions, creams, shampoos and other cosmetic products prepared out of aloe vera gel.

Benefits Of Aloe Vera:

As already mentioned, aloe vera is full of innumerable health benefits for human such as:

•Aloe vera is a natural aid for digestion problems in humans. It has properties due to which it could help in digesting the food and even render help in the painless discharge of waste from the body.
•Aloe vera is made up of polysaccharides which help in strengthening the immune system of human beings. Due to this, it helps lessen the inflammations in the human body, which could turn to serious disorders such as eczema, asthma and other body disorders.
•It is an effective medicine that could help in lowering the blood sugar level and the risen cholesterol levels in humans.
•Aloe Vera is even beneficial for those who wish to remove a few pounds off their body. 
•Aloe vera is brim-full with vitamins, minerals and amino acids which help in detoxifying the inner systems.  Due to their effects, the waste products and the toxins that could deteriorate the body are flushed out by the means of stools or urine.
•Aloe vera is an excellent remedy for the growth of hair. Either you consume its gel and juice or use the natural gel externally in the hair-roots; this remedy is very effective for strengthening the hair.
•Aloe vera gel could be applied on the skin for relief from acne, eczema and even minor cuts and wounds that the human beings get accidentally.
•Aloe vera is a very efficient oral remedy as it could help to moisturize the gums and offer relief from oral infections.

Side Effects of Aloe Vera: 

Aloe vera gel used in pure form could be composed of a yellow-coloured substance known as Aloin. This substance is said to be laxative and could induce diarrhoea in the human body. Therefore, while using the substance, a bit of vigilance is necessary.

Industries which manufacture aloe vera juice generally remove aloin from the raw products.

Aloe vera is a highly beneficial, natural remedy that is rightly a ‘nature’s blessing’. Owing to the vast health benefits it possesses, it could indeed be called a one-end-destination to all your body needs.