(HealthDayNews) -- Aloe vera's claim to fame may be in providing relief from burns, but that's certainly not all it's good for.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that the sugar that makes up aloe vera can speed the healing time of wounds by reducing inflammation, preventing the breakdown of growth factors that promote healing, and stimulating the cells that destroy dead or dying tissue. It also aids new blood vessel formation.
Because wound healing can be a problem in the elderly, aloe vera can help. Use fresh gel from a plant on superficial wounds once a day.
Studies with rats found that aloe promotes healing in old animals but it does nothing for young ones. But it does help relieve the pain and discomfort of a wound.
