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Household Tips – 65 Unusual Uses for Aloe Vera (WWII Series)

December 2, 2013 by Robin 10 Comments

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Growing up in Southern California we seemed to have always had an Aloe Vera plant in our yard. Whenever we would get cut or burned, mom would break off a piece and rub the cool gel on our boo-boo’s. Not until recently did I discover that Aloe Vera can do so much more than just healing cuts and burns. There is a huge list of frugal living tips that this easy to grow succulent can remedy.

Household Tips


Growing Aloe Vera is really easy, even if you live where it’s cold or you don’t have a green thumb. It’s true Aloe doesn’t like cold weather, but it you keep it in a pot you can move it indoors for the winter months, they do really well as a house plant. They also like the sun, but they don’t really like direct sunlight, so this is another reason that they do so well indoors. Now if you are one of those people who periodically forgets to water your plants you won’t have to worry with Aloe because it’s a succulent/cacti and doesn’t require a lot of watering, especially during the winter months.

When you check out all of the beneficial uses that we came up with for aloe vera I know that you’re going to want to run out and get one, but unfortunately they are a little difficult to find this time of year, especially if you live in a cold weather area. However, I found that you can purchase Aloe Vera, at a really reasonable price, on Amazon. I just ordered three more because I use it so often, especially in my Aloe Vera juice.

Health
Always consult a doctor before using Aloe Vera as a treatment.

  1. Arthritis – to relieve symptoms, take a shot of Aloe Vera
    juice (recipe below).
  2. Asthma – to ease breathing, boil Aloe Vera leaves in water
    and inhale the vapors.
  3. Athlete’s Foot – to heal, scrub feet with a mixture made
    from 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel, ¼ cup corn meal, ¼ cup oatmeal and a ¼ cup oliveoil.
  4. Bleeding – to reduce, apply gel to minor wounds.
  5. Blisters – to relieve, apply gel to the affected area.
  6. Bloating – to relieve, take a shot of Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  7. Burns – to heal, apply a mixture, using equal parts Aloe
    Vera gel and Vitamin E oil to the burn.
  8. Burns – to coo, apply gel to any minor burns.
  9. Bruises – to heal, apply gel to the affected area.
  10. Canker Sores – to heal, apply gel to the affected area.
  11. Cholesterol – to reduce, drink Aloe Vera juice (recipe below).
  12. Congestion – to relieve, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  13. Constipation – to relieve, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  14. Cramps – to relieve, take a spoonful of Aloe Vera gel with a
    pinch of black pepper three times a day.
  15. Cuts and Scrapes – to prevent infections, apply gel before
    bandaging.
  16. Diabetes – to lower sugar level, drink a glass of Aloe Vera
    juice (recipe below).
  17. Diaper Rash – to heal, rub the gel on their little bottoms.
  18. Diarrhea – to treat, drink Aloe Vera Juice (recipe below).
  19. Earaches – to relieve, apply a few drops of Aloe Vera gel
    into the ear.
  20. Energy – to boost, drink Aloe Vera juice (recipe below).
  21. Frostbite – to reduce damage, apply gel to the affected
    area.
  22. Heartburn – to relieve, take a shot of Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  23. Hemorrhoids – to relieve, drink Aloe Vera juice daily
    (recipe below).
  24. Immune System – to boost, drink Aloe Vera juice (recipe below).
  25. Indigestion – to relieve, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  26. Inflammation – to reduce, apply gel to the affected area.
  27. Insect Bites – to relieve itching, apply gel to the affected
    area.
  28. Poison Ivy – to treat, apply gel to the affected area.
  29. Rash – to relieve, apply gel to the affected area.
  30. Sunburns – to cool, apply gel to the affected area.
  31. Urinary Tract Infections – to relieve, drink Aloe Vera juice
    (recipe below).
  32. Vaginal Itching – to control, apply gel to the affected area.
  33. Warts – to minimize, apply gel to the affected area.
  34. Yeast Infections – to heal, drink 4-6 ounces of gel daily until gone.
Beauty
  1. Acne – to treat, apply gel to the affected area.
  2. Blackheads – to treat, apply gel to the affected area.
  3. Dandruff – to treat, apply a mixture of ¼ cup Aloe Vera, ¼
    cup milk and ¼ cup olive oil to your hair. Massage the mixture into your scalp
    and allow it to remain on hair for 20 minutes before shampooing.
  4. Dry Skin – to moisturize, apply gel to the skin.
  5. Eyes – to reduce puffiness, apply gel under your eyes.
  6. Eye Makeup – to remove, apply gel and remove with a cotton
    ball.
  7. Feet – to soften, scrub feet with a mixture made from 2
    tablespoons Aloe Vera, ¼ cup corn meal, ¼ cup oatmeal and a ¼ cup olive oil.
  8. Finger Nails – to strengthen, massage your nails with gel
    every day for a few weeks.
  9. Freckles – to lighten, massage the area with the gel twice a
    day.
  10. Hair – to add shine, use gel as a conditioner.
  11. Hair – to control frizz, use gel as a conditioner.
  12. Hair – to moisturize, use the gel in place of your conditioner.
  13. Hair – to promote growth, massage gel onto the scalp and
    allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.
  14. Mouthwash – to make your own, combine 4 tablespoons Aloe
    Vera gel, 3 teaspoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon lemon
    juice. Swish and spit.
  15. Pores – to reduce size, apply a mask that has been made by
    blending 1 small, peeled cucumber, 4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel and 4
    tablespoons of water. Leave the mask on overnight and rinse in the morning.
  16. Primer – for makeup, apply gel to face before applying your
    makeup.
  17. Razor Burn – to soothe, apply gel to the affected area.
  18. Shaving – for a smoother shave, use Aloe Vera gel, it will
    also act as a moisturizer.
  19. Skin – to brighten, apply gel to your skin.
  20. Skin – to exfoliate, scrub your skin with a mixture made
    with 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
    Rinse.
  21. Skin – to moisturize, apply to your skin before applying
    makeup and before bed.
  22. Skin – to reduce dark spots, apply the gel to the affected
    area.
  23. Skin – to reverse the signs of aging, apply gel to your skin
    daily.
  24. Skin – to smooth, scrub your skin with a mixture made with ¼
    cup Aloe Vera, , ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup salt and 1 tablespoon honey.
  25. Stretch Marks – to prevent, apply gel daily.
  26. Teeth – to clean and strengthen, brush with the gel.
  27. Whiteheads – to treat, apply gel to the affected area.
  28. Wounds – to prevent scarring, apply gel to the area daily
    until it heals.
  29. Wrinkles – to reduce appearance, apply gel to the area.
Miscellaneous
  1. Dogs – to clean their ears, apply the gel to the ear and
    wipe away the excess. You can safely do this every week.
  2. Hand Sanitizer – to make your own, combine 1 part Aloe
    Vera gel and 3 parts witch hazel.
  3. Hand Sanitizer – to make your own, combine 1 part Aloe Vera gel and 3 parts rubbing alcohol.

Did you know that Aloe Vera could be ingested? I found this out about 6 years ago when I stumbled on an Aloe Vera juice at a local Mexican meat market in Southern California. It intrigued me with the little bits of aloe gel floating in a citrus juice, I just had to try it and it was delicious. It was so good that it made it to the top of my list of favorite drinks. Since leaving California I have not been able to find Aloe Juice so I’ve had to concoct my own version and I’m pretty pleased with how good it is, you should give it a try not only for how tasty it is but for the healing properties as well.

Category: S
oups & Salad                                        s                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Yields: 7 cups

Aloe
Vera Juice

Ingredients          
            2 Aloe Vera leaves
            1 cup citrus juice
Instructions
  1. Using a sharp knife, peel away
    the rind and the yellow layer just below the rind. Discard.
  2. Place 2 tablespoons of Aloe
    Vera gel in a blender.
  3. Add citrus juice, grapefruit
    juice is my favorite.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Refrigerate until you’re ready
    to drink.
Category: Beverages                                                                                                                                                                     Yields: 1 cup
Category: Soups & Sa
lads                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Yields: 7 cups

What household tips did I miss?

* If, by some small miracle, you worked at Amway in Ada, MI in the 1980’s and were the person my mother loaned the notebook to, please Contact Me. The notebook is a small (aprox. 6″x9″) black leather, 3-ring binder, and contains hand drawn patterns (teddy bear), recipes and household tips and tricks. It would mean so much to my family to have it back.

Filed Under: Frugal Tips, Save, WWII Series Tagged With: how to, two cents'

Comments

  1. Jamie @ Domestically Vintage says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    Thank you so much for this post. I just love home remedies! We always had an indoor aloe vera plant and my Mom used it in the same way. I had no clue that there were so many uses. Pinning so you get a lot of recognition. Have a wonderful day! ~ Jamie P.S. I'm visiting from the Inspiration Mondays link party with twelveOeight.

    Reply
  2. Counter Culture Living says

    December 2, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Visiting from A Pinch of Joy link party. My mom loved to keep aloe growing around the house, and we would use it to soothe burns.

    Reply
  3. Kathy Shea Mormino says

    December 3, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Such an informative blog about Aloe Vera. I knew a few of the uses but never imagined it could be so widely used. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick

    Reply
  4. Wandering Wren says

    December 7, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Just popped over from Katherine's Favourite Things and I agree Aloe Vera is one of our favourites. Just to make you jealous the sun came out last weekend, and I swear the whole of Melbourne was sunburnt on Monday, we are all normally so good as well… but that is where the Aloe Vera comes in as a great sunburn healer. As No 30 indicates!
    Have a great week!
    Wren #259

    Reply
  5. Tammy Killoough says

    December 10, 2013 at 1:32 am

    Oh…wow. I didn't know all this about Aloe Vera. I've always love it as a plant…and I think everyone knows about the burns…but you've found a whole ton of helpful information! Thank you so much for sharing this with us on Twirl and Take a Bow! Hope to see you again on Tuesday! ~Tammy

    Reply
  6. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    December 11, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Great tips! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden
    Thursday,
    Kathy

    Reply
  7. Allen Dawson says

    December 17, 2013 at 6:15 am

    This is very informative blog on Aloe Vera. I did not know it before that there are so many uses of Aloe Vera. Thank you for making this lovely post. Aloe Vera is also beneficial for treating skin infections.

    Reply
  8. D Smith says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Deodorant
    ————

    1 cup pure aloe vera juice – (the kind approved as a nutritional supplement for internal use – I usually get mine in a gallon size at the local pharmacy for about $8)

    1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda – (Start with 1 and increase as needed) 1 works just fine for me…less is fine if it works, but I would still start with 1..

    Stir thoroughly until the baking soda is completely dissolved in the juice. Place the solution in a spray bottle and use the spray bottle to apply as needed. Since it is a spray applicator, it can last a long time and is very economical. Keep spray bottle in the refrigerator to maintain it’s freshness. The aloe vera can last a long time, but should be kept in the fridge for best results. Read your aloe vera juice label for more information regarding proper storage. The baking soda will help preserve it, but I just follow the label on the container.

    This is not an anti-perspirant so you will still sweat under normal conditions. It will keep you smelling fresh though and it will not alter the scent of any perfume, cologne, or essential oils that you may also be using.

    Reply
  9. Joyce Neuss says

    February 5, 2018 at 9:46 am

    I buy Aloe Vera drink by the gallon at my local Wal Mart and mix it with my favor juice or drink it by itself, its great.

    Reply

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