Aloe Vera - a plant that has been valued for its healing and nourishing properties for thousands of years. Known as the "plant of immortality," it has firmly established its place in the history of skin care and medicine. From ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra to modern uses in baby care, aloe vera offers an impressive variety of skin health benefits.
In this blog post, you will delve deep into the world of aloe vera. You will learn more about the plant and its origins, the valuable ingredients that make it an indispensable part of skin care, and its impressive ability to heal itself. Aloe vera is a true miracle cure, especially for sensitive baby skin. Whether for preventing diaper rash or treating skin irritations - aloe vera offers gentle but very effective care. Also discover how Millis magic wipes with aloe vera, almond oil and Q10 offer optimal protection and care for your baby and why aloe vera is an important part of Millis baby care.
The Aloe Vera plant
Aloe Vera belongs to the lily family and is closely related to asparagus, onions and garlic. Botanists have catalogued over 300 different species of aloe worldwide, with Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller being the most important for cosmetic and medicinal uses. This plant prefers hot climates and thrives particularly well in regions such as Central and South America, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Southern Europe. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller contains many valuable ingredients found inside its leaves. The plants can grow up to 150 cm tall and bloom in spring with towering yellow flowers that can reach up to two meters.
The harvest of aloe vera only begins after three to five years, when the nutrients and active ingredients are fully mature. Aloe vera is known for its robustness and ability to heal itself. Even after a leaf has been cut off, the plant can quickly regenerate. Its resilience enables it to survive long transport routes unscathed.
The name aloe is derived from the Arabic "alloeh" (shiny) and the Hebrew "halal" (bitter), which refers to the shiny leaf surface and the bitter juice. The plant is visually reminiscent of a cactus or an agave, but actually belongs to the lily family.
Aloe juice, aloe powder, aloe gel - what's what?
The aloe vera plant consists of three main layers: the outer leaf bark, the transparent aloe gel and the aloe juice in between. These layers are used in different ways to produce aloe vera products:
- Aloe gel : To obtain the gel, the leaves are peeled and the inner core extracted. This gel is about 90% water and hardly contains the laxative anthranoids found in the juice. Aloe gel is ideal for cosmetic applications because it has moisturizing and soothing properties.
- Aloe juice (aloe latex) : This juice is found between the leaf bark and the gel. It is viscous, bitter and contains the laxative anthranoids that aid digestion.
Origin of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a long history as a medicinal plant. In ancient Egypt it was revered as the "plant of immortality" and "blood of the gods" and was used for skin care by famous people such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti. It was also used in the embalming of the dead. Over the centuries, aloe vera found its way to Greece and was used there to treat injuries. In the Middle Ages, aloe vera juice was considered a cure for various diseases.
Aloe Vera probably originally comes from the Arabian Peninsula. Today it grows wild mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Its ability to store water enables it to survive in difficult climatic conditions. Due to the high demand, it is also grown on plantations in the Dutch Antilles, coastal areas of Venezuela and subtropical regions of the USA and Mexico.
Ingredients of Aloe Vera and their effects
Over 200 different ingredients have been discovered in the leaves of Aloe Vera. The most important ones include:
- Acemannan : An important polysaccharide that strengthens the immune system, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and promotes wound healing. It stabilizes cells and stimulates cell growth.
- Anthracite : These plant substances have a laxative effect by inhibiting the absorption of water and salt in the intestine and thus accelerating bowel emptying.
- Secondary plant compounds : Anthraquinones and other compounds protect the plant from enemies and give it its individual smell, taste and color. Even if they are only present in small amounts, it is enough to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Salicylic acid : Often used in dermatology, it has bactericidal properties and supports the treatment of skin diseases.
- Enzymes : They help with the digestion and absorption of sugar, proteins and fats and have an antioxidant effect. Bradykinase, an enzyme in aloe vera, for example, can reduce inflammation and swelling. The enzymes in aloe vera also help promote the regeneration of skin cells.
- Amino acids : Aloe vera contains seven of the eight essential amino acids that are important for the production of collagen and elastin and support skin regeneration and repair.
- Vitamins : The plant provides vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E and provitamin A, which protect the skin from free radicals, promote cell regeneration and slow down the aging process of the skin.
- Minerals : Aloe vera contains a variety of important minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper and iron. These minerals are essential for maintaining healthy skin structure and function and play an important role not only in regulating the skin's moisture content but also in strengthening tissue and promoting healthy cell renewal.
Health-promoting properties of aloe vera
The active ingredients of aloe vera gel offer a variety of health benefits:
- Antiseptic and antibacterial : Ideal for treating skin diseases and burns.
- Moisturizing : Suitable for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin.
- Anti-inflammatory : Has a soothing effect and relieves pain and inflammation of the skin.
- Healing and regenerating : Promotes the production of collagen and the formation of new vessels, which supports the healing of injuries.
Other uses of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not only an all-rounder in skin care, but also has many other uses that make it an indispensable plant in the home.
- Hair Care: Aloe vera is an excellent natural conditioner that makes hair soft and smooth. You can apply aloe vera gel directly to the scalp and hair to reduce dandruff and promote hair growth. Its moisturizing properties also help repair dry and damaged hair. A simple DIY recipe is to mix aloe vera gel with coconut oil and use it as a hair mask. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes and then wash it off thoroughly.
- Burns and sunburn: Aloe vera is known for its cooling and healing properties for burns and sunburn. Apply the gel directly to the affected skin to relieve pain, promote healing and reduce inflammation. Aloe vera also helps regenerate the skin and minimize scarring.
- Oral care: Aloe vera can also be used to care for the oral cavity. The gel has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for treating gingivitis and small wounds in the mouth. There are even aloe vera-based mouthwashes that can help combat bad breath and improve oral health.
- Digestion: Aloe vera juice is known for its digestive properties. It can help support gut health by regulating bowel movement and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. Many people drink aloe vera juice to relieve digestive symptoms such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is important to consume the juice in moderation as it can have a laxative effect if overused.
- Immune system: The polysaccharides contained in aloe vera, especially acemannan, have immune-boosting properties. They help the immune system to fight pathogens more effectively and can therefore promote general health. Regular consumption of aloe vera juice can help strengthen the immune system and improve defenses.
Why is aloe vera particularly suitable for babies?
Babies' skin is particularly sensitive and therefore requires particularly gentle care. Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that does not contain any synthetic additives and thus minimizes the risk of skin irritation. Its deep-acting moisturizing care keeps delicate baby skin supple and protects it from drying out. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can effectively relieve redness and irritation. This is particularly important because babies' skin is often prone to dryness and irritation.
Aloe vera also plays an essential role in the prevention and treatment of diaper rash. This plant has also been shown to be effective in other skin lesions such as pustular melanosis in newborns and pruritus. In addition, aloe vera can help treat atopic dermatitis, a common skin disease in children that causes itching and skin irritation. Its soothing and healing properties promote the healing of abrasions and other skin injuries by stimulating cell regeneration faster than many other products, making it an effective solution for minor skin damage.
The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera help reduce skin irritation and redness, making it ideal for treating diaper rash and minor skin injuries. These multiple benefits make aloe vera an ideal ingredient for daily care of baby skin, as it provides comprehensive protection and care.
What makes aloe vera different from other ingredients in baby care?
Aloe vera stands out from other ingredients in baby care due to its unique and versatile properties. While many moisturizers only work on the surface, aloe vera penetrates deep into the skin and provides intensive and long-lasting moisture. Its natural composition without synthetic additives makes it particularly gentle and skin-friendly, which minimizes the risk of skin irritation. Aloe vera also offers a wide range of benefits: it hydrates, soothes and protects the skin at the same time. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help to relieve skin irritation and prevent infections. This versatility and deep effect make aloe vera an outstanding ingredient in baby care that fully meets the needs of sensitive baby skin.
Aloe Vera in Milli's Magic Cloths
Millis magic wipes are nourishing diaper rash pads that contain natural, skin-care ingredients and have a soothing effect on sore bottoms in cases of diaper rash. In Millis magic wipes, aloe vera works harmoniously with almond oil and Q10 to ensure the best possible care for your baby's skin:
- Aloe Vera : Since aloe vera is a plant-based product, the use of this active ingredient causes fewer side effects than chemical products. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and proven improvement of the skin barrier, aloe vera is ideal for treating diaper rash, as it soothes, nourishes and regenerates irritated skin. Especially in the case of long-term treatment with chemical agents or steroids, the plant-based therapy is a gentle alternative that is in no way inferior to chemical treatment. It also provides important moisture without keeping the diaper climate too humid and protects sensitive skin from drying out.
- Almond oil: Almond oil has exceptionally skin-friendly and soothing properties and is therefore highly effective against diaper rash. It is one of the highest quality care oils and counteracts dry skin, ensuring a supple complexion. Thanks to its protective and enveloping effect, the oil also reduces the frequency of future episodes of wound irritation. It is particularly well tolerated by sensitive skin, which is why it has also become established in the field of sensitive baby care. The use of almond oil makes baby skin particularly soft and moisturizes it. At the same time, almond oil is non-greasy to use, even if, as a non-drying oil, it stays on the skin longer than oils that are quickly absorbed. The unsaturated fatty acids it contains moisturize and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Ubiquinone-10: Q10 is known specifically for smoothing wrinkles, but it has enormous advantages that speak in favor of its use in our Millis. Ubiquinone-10 is the body's own coenzyme and an important component for functioning metabolic processes. It promotes the energy metabolism of cells, which leads to rapid regeneration and healing of damaged skin. As an energy source, it helps the skin cells, prevents cell damage and thus contributes to the efficient regeneration of irritated skin. Q10 offers extremely effective skin cell protection and gives the skin new energy. It helps with oxidative stress and inflammation of the skin and ensures a smooth complexion. This supplies the cells of the baby's bottom with energy and supports the smooth skin structure.
Conclusion:
Aloe vera is much more than just a plant - it is a true all-rounder in skin care. Its deep-acting, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient, especially for sensitive baby skin. Aloe vera penetrates deep into the skin, provides intensive moisture and promotes the healing of skin irritations and small injuries. Millis baby care products, which contain aloe vera in combination with almond oil and Q10, offer a powerful care formula against diaper rash and other skin problems in babies.
The long history and scientifically proven benefits of aloe vera show that natural ingredients are not only effective, but also gentle on the skin. Whether for daily care or for the targeted treatment of skin problems - aloe vera is a valuable addition to skin care for you and your baby. By relying on the natural powers of aloe vera, you not only support the health and suppleness of the skin, but also promote a sustainable and conscious care practice.