Aloe vera is everywhere these days but what exactly is it and why is it good for you?

A member of the lilly family, the aloe vera plant grows throughout the African continent.

The health benefits of its large leaves were first discovered by the Egyptians several thousand years ago and today aloe vera can be found in everything from hand cream to shampoo. This is because the gel like substance produced by the aloe vera plant is a natural soother that can alleviate the pain of cuts, burns or general irritation and inflammation.

Aloe vera is also known to help slow down the appearance of wrinkles as it can actively repair the damaged skin cells that cause the visible signs of aging.

Aloe vera is also sometimes taken orally in juice or tablet form because research has shown it can help remove toxins from the body, give your immune system a boost and encourage healthy digestion.

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