Are aloe vera plant leaves the secret to perfect skin?

THIS week, Jennifer Aniston let the world in on the secret behind her youthful looks — and it isn’t a high-tech facial or eye-wateringly expensive cream.

Insead, it’s a houseplant which you can buy yourself for less than £10. What is this wonder product? Good old aloe vera, which she applies directly to her skin as a moisturiser, especially after sunbathing.

Aniston is far from the first celebrity to endorse the magic properties of these succulent leaves. There are even claims that aloe can help with everything from dental plaque to dandruff and digestion. But do the claims stack up? Here, we investigate.

SKIN TONIC

‘ALOE vera is wonderful for the skin,’ says Dr Nigma Talib, a naturopathic doctor whose celebrity clients include Sienna Miller and Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley. ‘ It’s soothing and moisturising and contains vitamins A,B, C, D and E as well as minerals and anti- oxidants, which means that it is very healing.

‘It is also anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti- inflammatory. However, we’re now learning that aloe is also anti-ageing.’

The simplest way people use aloe vera on the skin is to have a plant at home, and to break off part of a leaf to squeeze out the juicy gel. However, if you don’t have a plant nearby, buy a chemical-free aloe vera gel.

AID DIGESTION

THE evidence is less clear, however, when it comes to claims that aloe vera can help with digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s, IBS, or colitis. NICE, the government watchdog, discourages people from using it for IBS.

‘Aloe vera is a laxative,’ explains Viktória Borsi, a naturopathic nutritional therapist. ‘If you have constipation it may help, however if you have diarrhoea with your IBS this will make matters worse, which is why I don’t recommend it for any digestive conditions beyond acid reflux. In this case, aloe vera juice is very effective in balancing the pH levels.’

There are two main constituents to aloe — the gel and the latex. The latex is highly irritating to the digestive tract and so a good quality aloe juice is key. Try Pukka aloe juice, made from only the gel. (£14.95, pukka- herbs.com).

BOOST HAIR GROWTH

THERE is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that rubbing aloe vera gel into the scalp, could help reduce hair loss — but there are no clinical trials.

Dr Talib says: ‘Aloe vera gel is rich in the vitamins that are needed for healthy hair growth — but hair loss has many causes, so while it could help, I will not say it’s going to cure baldness.’ However, Dr Talib does agree that applying aloe vera gel directly to your scalp can be a great natural treatment for dry hair or an itchy scalp. The antimicrobial properties can also kill the fungi that cause dandruff.

BANISH FILLINGS

IS IT time to ditch your fluoride toothpaste and bottles of alcohol-filled mouthwash?

Dr Talib says: ‘Mouthwashes with aloe vera are anti-viral and anti-bacterial and they don’t contain alcohol, which is irritating and doesn’t serve any purpose. They are lovely to use and help the mouth to stay healthy.’

The British Dental Association, is less convinced. ‘What is proven beyond doubt to reduce the risk of tooth decay is to brush teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, ( including last thing at night), and also to reduce the frequency and amount of sugar consumed,’ says a spokesperson.

EASE HEADACHES

ALOE vera contains plant sterols, substances that are thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Dr Fayyaz Ahmed, a consultant neurologist at Hull Royal Infirmary, who is also medical trustee of The Migraine Trust, has recommended using aloe vera as a treatment for headaches and migraine.

He suggests splitting a leaf and using the gel on your hands and face (but not consuming it directly). ‘You could also try aloe vera deodorant or aloe vera soap to wash your hands and face.

‘I use this myself when I get a migraine, and I recommend it to my patients and we find that it’s beneficial.’