Not only do houseplants bring us joy, green up our interiors, and provide a hobby to indulge in, but many plants also have alternative beneficial uses. Aloe vera, for example, is a plant known for its skin healing properties, but this isn't the only wellness use of this plant.
If you care for an aloe vera plant in your home, you'll be interested to find out just how many uses it has. You can take cuttings from this medicinal plant and use its gel in multiple ways, from skin application to hair care and more.
Here, we take a look at four unexpected uses of aloe vera plants, with insights from cosmetics and plant experts on how to make the most of this valuable houseplant.
4 unexpected uses of aloe vera plants
All of these unexpected uses of aloe vera plants require pruning aloe vera to take cuttings. When doing this, consider also putting a couple of cuttings aside to propagate your aloe vera plant.
1. Make aloe vera under-eye patches
It's no secret that aloe vera has skin soothing properties, which is why you often find it as an essential ingredient in a range of skincare and sunburn products - like this aloe vera gel for sunburn from Walmart. But, there are other reasons for using aloe vera on your skin.
'Aloe vera leaf cuts soaked with the plant’s gel can be used as natural under-eye patches to help reduce puffiness and dark circles, lessening the signs of fatigue and giving your eyes a brighter, more rested look,' says Valerie Aparovich, certified cosmetologist-aesthetician.
'The gel provides a cooling effect and an instant boost of hydration to the delicate under-eye skin, delivering essential vitamins and minerals to the cells, which are essential for repair and rejuvenation,' she explains.
To use your aloe vera plant for this purpose, slice open an aloe vera leaf to extract the gel. You can then cut the leaf into slices to soak in the gel and use under the eyes, as Valerie instructs.
When taking cuttings from your aloe vera, take care to avoid plant cuttings mistakes that could hinder the health of your aloe plant. This includes not pruning more than a third of the plant at a time, which may send it into shock and stunt growth.
As with any eye care product, always be wary of any intolerances and reactions your skin may have. If in doubt, seek advice from your dermatologist.
2. Use aloe vera as a food preservative
This is perhaps a lesser known use of aloe vera plants, but their gel can actually be used to preserve food. Once again, this requires slicing open an aloe vera leaf and extracting the gel - you can easily do this with a sharp knife (from Walmart) and a spoon.
'Aloe vera gel works as an organic food preservative because applying it thinly on sliced fruits or vegetables prolongs their freshness,' explains plant expert Tammy Sons.
This layer of aloe vera gel protects food from oxygen and moisture, blocking access to microorganisms and slowing down the ripening process. For this reason, it's an especially effective method to use on fruit and vegetables harvested from your kitchen garden.
Simply wash off the aloe vera gel when you're ready to use your crops.
3. Use aloe vera a body lotion
One of the reasons aloe vera can be commonly found in cosmetics products is that it is hydrating and moisturizing. For this reason, it makes an excellent lotion for dehydrated skin.
'I recommend using aloe vera gel as an aftershave lotion in particular,' says Valerie. 'It has a fast-absorbing texture, offering an effective way to replenish moisture and restore the skin’s barrier, which shaving can compromise.
'Its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties also help calm post-shave skin, reducing the risk of irritation and razor burn,' she adds.
You can apply aloe vera gel directly onto your skin for this effect. Why not use this cosmetic container and applicator spoon from Amazon to collect aloe vera gel for later use?
4. Use aloe vera to manage dandruff
Another cosmetic use for aloe vera plants - managing dandruff. Adding aloe vera to your hair care products will soothe your scalp and remove dead skin cells, all while its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties fight dandruff-causing microbes.
This is why aloe vera is often found in anti-dandruff shampoo (from Walmart), but it's just as easy to make your own. Simply extract gel from your aloe vera plant and add some drops into your hair care products.
When using this mixture, massage your scalp well before rinsing. For a deeper treatment, some people choose to leave it on for around 30 minutes before rinsing.
FAQs
Can you use aloe vera plants to purify the air?
Yes, aloe vera plants are thought to be air-cleaning indoor plants. This is because they absorb carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air. For this reason, aloe vera makes for a beneficial bedroom plant.
Not only are there unexpected uses of aloe vera plants that bring physical wellness benefits, these plants can also be strategically placed in your home for positive Feng Shui energy.
For example, aloe vera is considered a Feng Shui plant that wards off negative energy, so try placing it in a home office where you want an abundance of productivity. Likewise, it's advised to never place this plant in your entryway because aloe vera's spikey foliage can be unwelcoming to visitors.
