WHY YOU SHOULD USE ALOE VERA DAILY

 

                

We know aloe Vera as very bitter but clearly do we know of its goodness?

In this segment, we will look at benefits of aloe Vera and why it should incorporated in our daily routine.

 Kama kawaida, asante sana for keeping it here. Let’s go......! 

 Aloe Vera plant is a succulent and it consists of roughly 500 different species all around the world. It grows about anywhere in humid countries, in hot countries even in arid dry weather. Aloe Vera plant is characterized by this long thorny succulent leaf and if you cut it open it consists of a sticky gel-like substance. This particular gel-like substance contains 95% water.  Aloe Vera holds a lot of water in it and hence   the characteristics of a great moisturizer.  Aloe Vera plants have been used for centuries and even millennia Egyptians use aloe Vera to  treat wounds, minor cuts and as well as sunburn.    

Benefits of aloe Vera that you should know:  

It helps soothe sunburn. It has this nice cooling soothing effect because it contains a compound called aloin which helps soothe sunburn and helps repair the skin. Aloin has a very strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties proven to reverse UV damage especially from sunburns.

Helps speed up wound healing. When you have a cut or an open wound what happens is there is attraction of white blood cells to the wound to prevent infection. Aloe Vera has great wound healing properties because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which helps reduce the amount of inflammation and at the same time speed up wound repair.  Aloe Vera can also help speed up collagen production which helps the wound close up much quicker. An aloe Vera, being a humectant means it draws in water which quickens and repairs the healing wound. Aloe Vera is also used to treat burns. if you're  suffering from first degree burns with no blister or  secondary degree burns with  mild redness  and mild blistering, aloe Vera helps  reduce the blisters and the burns and helps collagen production, reducing the healing time. However, if the burn area is too large or there's just too much blisters or even when the blisters have popped, aloe Vera does not help.

It helps moisturize your skin. Aloe Vera is a great humectant. A humectant is a compound that pulls in water and holds onto the water as long as possible.  Majority of the moisturizers are humectants.  Other examples of humectants are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and even honey.  However, aloe Vera is one of the best humectants. If you're suffering from dry flaky skin aloe Vera should be your go-to moisturizer.

It is a great anti-aging ingredient. Even though aloe Vera consists mostly of water, it also contains antioxidant properties.  Natural aloe Vera contains high concentration of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E all of which helps collagen production and fight against nasty free radicals especially from UV radiation and at the same time boost collagen production. The more collagen you have the lesser wrinkles you have and the more hydrated your skin will become.  Aloe Vera is also great to eradicate blemishes and  

hyperpigmentation so if you have a melasma issue  you can also use aloe Vera as a moisturizer.

it helps reduce acne. Aloe Vera not only helps reduce blemishes from your acne it also helps fight against active infections. Aloe Vera does not clog your pores which is the primary reason you're getting acne. Aloe Vera works also as a mild astringent. This means that it gets in the pores and untraps your clogged pores, remove, all the dirt and sebum and does mild exfoliation of your skin. Aloe Vera also has very mild antiseptic properties which means it helps reduce the amount of infection on your skin especially acne prone skin.

 Before applying your aloe Vera gel, clean your skin and remove any excessive sebum or dirt. You can opt to use a toner if you have a toner if you do not have one it's fine and then you can use your essence and your serums. Essence and serums generally contain active ingredients which you want to help repair your skin or to give you that nice radiant glow and after you've applied all of that then comes on the aloe Vera. The thick viscous consistency of aloe Vera does a few things first of all it locks in the active ingredients that you have applied in your serums.

 In essence, it means that after applying the serum and essence in order to prevent them from accidentally transferring to your hands or to your clothes or from evaporating by placing the aloe Vera on top. Aloe Vera should be the last skincare step that you apply in your skin except if you're applying sunscreen.  You can apply sunscreen after your aloe Vera gel.

Aloe Vera also makes a good base to mix your skincare ingredients inside and this is why majority of moisturizing skincare products contain aloe Vera. 

If you're suffering from sensitive skin or you have chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, aloe Vera makes a great moisturizer  to reduce the dryness and the flakiness of your skin.  If you're suffering from dry skin you can use a lotion based moisturizer or even certain oils on your skin and put the aloe Vera over the top to prevent the oil from getting out.

This brings us to the end of our segment today and like I always say, let us meet in the comment section with your questions and comments. Thank you for staying with me. Kwaherini till next time.

https://youtu.be/Jd2_3SoE7N0

 

HEALTHY HABITS: 10 daily habits that changed my life (science-backed)

 Hello good people and welcome back onboard. Here we learn everything health (#allmattershealth) to reward ourselves with healthy eating and today we look at good daily habits that can help us hack through every day activities. Karibuni.

 Before we go on further, remember that habits are built over time and you should not put pressure on yourself to do them every day.

  Good daily habits can make such a big difference to your overall health and your life.Let’s engage.

 Take a glass of water first thing in the morning - this makes a big difference in your energy levels. When we are sleeping, we do not take water and when we wake up in the morning we can be mildly dehydrated thus our fatigue levels go up. Start your morning by getting enough hydration. Remember you can also add in some lemon for taste in your glass of warm water.

 Meditate for 10 minutes every day - Meditation can do things like reduce anxiety, improve your immune function and it can help reduce pain. It also gives you mental clarity and makes you feel much more calm.You can try guided meditation versus meditation where you're just doing it on your own and give yourself time.

Guided meditation can really help you stay on track and can really guide you through the process. There are apps that can help in guided meditation like CALM and HEADSPACE which you can try.

 Go  for a brisk walk outdoors.Walking is very essential in keeping your health on track.  Walking is not just a mood booster but it is also a way of exercising and especially if you are not a gym person.

  Remember World Health Organization (WHO) recommends about 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity every week or 75 minutes of cardiovascular activity -  a walk can count if your heart rate is high enough and there are apps that can help like Samsung health app.

In additional to walking, you can include some weight training and yoga.World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at the average at least two sessions a week for adults because as we age we tend to lose muscle mass as a normal part of aging.Another normal part of aging is losing bone density but we can slow that process down with weight training. Speak to a professional to learn the proper moves so you don't get injured eventually.

   Eat well, eat green! Green vegetables are very nutrient dense and you get a variety of vitamins and minerals. The easiest way to add greens to your diet really is smoothies.

 ü  Fruits

Eat at least two to three servings of brightly colored fruits and veggies every day.  

Brightly colored fruits and veggies basically suggest eating fruits and veggies from different colors. Different colors mean they have different phytochemicals which mean they have different health properties. Some phytochemicals can help with cancer prevention, keeping your liver healthy and some can help with  overall metabolism.

There are different reasons to have those phytochemicals and it's a good idea to get a variety.

  Music. Listen to soothing music

  Every evening as a way to wind down listen to music. Nature sounds and relaxing music can help reduce stress that  can help reduce the stress hormone called cortisol.

Nature sounds rustling with leaves and things like a waterfall are calming and relaxing.  

 Read or learn something.

 Reading or learning something new every has benefits especially when it comes to brain health. Mental stimulation through reading can slow down the natural decline in our memories.

   Quality time

Spending quality time with our loved ones means being properly engaged with them and in good communication.  Cuddling can also help you release oxytocin which is known as the cuddle hormone or the love hormone and it can help reduce stress.

 Avoid phone 1 hour before bed

Being on phone right before bed makes it very difficult to fall asleep because your brain is all over and mentally stimulated.

Phones also emit something known as blue light that goes to your brain sending signal that it is not time to sleep so the brain does not release melatonin and it becomes harder to sleep.

 These are the few tips or habits that are helpful for a healthy lifestyle. I do hope that you enjoy and use the habits to stay healthy.  See you in the next blog.

 

 

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