Healing from the Inside Out
With the skin being the largest organ in your body it needs nourishing not just from the outside, but from the inside out. Our body is amazing in so many ways, and especially when it comes to our digestive system and our skin. A healthy digestive system helps our skin to be healthy.
Most of us are aware that putting aloe on your skin can soothe a burn, cuts, bruises, acne and eczema. However, aloe does not only help heal our bodies when applied topically, but when digested into our digestive system too. Topically we apply aloe vera. Though we don’t ingest aloe vera, instead we ingest aloe vera juice!
Aloe vera juice can be included into certain clients’ daily food consumption, such as in smoothies or mixing it with water, to help address specific digestive troubles. Some of these common ailments that aloe vera juice can help with are heartburn, ulcers, intestinal inflammation and/or diarrhea, to name a few!
Looking at the health of your colon through the quality, quantity and consistency of your poop to determine your individual health status can tell us a lot of what is going on inside your digestive system.
By taking a peak at the porcelain bowl, you may come to terms that your digestive system could use some soothing support.
So, what type of aloe vera juice might you consider consuming?
Aloe vera juice should be consumed internally for best digestive results, such as the Lily of the Dessert brand (either the whole leaf or inner fillet), which is often organic and packaged in dark glass bottles at most health food stores.
Why is aloe vera juice so good for us?
Similar to how aloe vera soothes a burn on your skin, when aloe vera juice is consumed orally it soothes the lining of the intestines. It has been labeled a superfood after numerous research studies identified the 75 healing compounds including natural steroids, antibiotic agents, amino acids, minerals and enzymes. Some positive digestive benefits of aloe vera juice:
- Promotes the production of good bacteria in the gut
- Improves bowel regularity without causing diarrhea
- Helps to improve yeast in the digestive tract
- Balances acid and alkaline levels in the stomach, which helps alleviate over-acidity, a common cause of indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn and ulcers
- Can slow the transit time of certain foods to allow optimal digestion and nutrient absorption
- Suppressing internal systemic inflammation from specific anti-inflammatory enzymes within the aloe vera juice
How much aloe vera juice might you consume?
If you are trying it out by yourself, I would suggest starting slowly and building as necessary. One ounce of aloe vera juice mixed with water or in a smoothie can be a good starting point.
If you are working with a holistic health coach, nutritionist or integrative health practitioner, find out the right amount for you and progress from there. Finding out the right dosage for you is something we can do together through functional nutrition consultations to ensure you are consuming the appropriate amount to improve your digestion and elimination, while combining with health promoting foods and lifestyle factors that can support your digestive tract.
Digestive Health Smoothie
Serves 2
Ingredients:
4 raw Brazil nuts
1 whole cucumber
1 large celery stalk
small handful of spinach or mixed greens
1/2 cup aloe vera juice
1 heaping tablespoon freshly ground flax seeds
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon raw honey, to taste
2.5 cups water or non-dairy milk (you can add more or less depending upon your thickness desire)
1 teaspoon maca (optional)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger (optional)
Preparation
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
Tip: Be sure to take a glance before you flush each day, helping to better assess what other steps could be helpful on your health journey – seeing improvements inside and out.
Warm Regards,
Stacy
