The Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant that looks like a cactus, but is actually a
member of the lily family It grows in Africa, Asia and the
warmer parts of America and Europe The particular kind of Aloe
Vera used for natural remedies has the Latin name Aloe
barbadensis and its leaves contain a gel that is rich in
therapeutic properties
Aloe has been used medicinally for over 6,000 years The ancient
Egyptians used it to heal battle wounds and cure infections The
early Greeks used it for relieving blisters, burns and leg
ulcers as well as healing bowel and stomach disorders
Today it is found in health products in the form of gels, juices
and creams, and also as an ingredient in some cosmetic products
How it Works
Aloe Vera contains 75 known ingredients including:
· All the vitamins (except Vitamin D)
· Enzymes that aid digestion and reduce inflammation
· The minerals needed for the enzymes to function
· Long-chain sugars that help to re-balance the digestive system
· Saponins, which have an anti-microbial effect against
bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast
· Twenty of the 22 amino acids (including seven out of the eight
essential amino acids that can’t be produced by the body)
It’s thought that the synergistic effect of these ingredients is
what gives Aloe Vera its power
It is only recently that the scientific establishment has
started to carry out proper studies of Aloe Vera but the results
so far are encouraging It appears to have anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and restorative properties In one study it was
found to have a beneficial effect in lowering the risk factors
among patients with heart disease Another study, started in
2005 at the University of Strathclyde, is investigating the
effects of Aloe Vera against super-bugs such as MRSA, after
finding that it has the ability to destroy bacteria such as
Ecoli
The Benefits of Aloe Vera
Small-scale studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that Aloe
Vera may be beneficial in the following cases:
· Applied as a cream for:
- Healing small cuts, insect stings, grazes and wounds
- Healing and repairing skin tissue after burns, including
sunburn
- Healing skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne,
general itching
- Cosmetic uses such as moisturising and improving the
elasticity of the skin
· Ingested as a gel/juice for:
- Digestive conditions such as IBS, peptic ulcers, acid reflux,
Crohn’s disease, candida etc
- Musculo-skeletal conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, etc
- Immune-related conditions such as asthma, hayfever and even ME
- Overall protection (as an antioxidant) against free radicals
How to Take Aloe Vera
You can grow your own Aloe Vera plant indoors and use it as a
quick remedy for minor burns and grazes Just break off a leaf
and apply the gel directly
If you are buying an Aloe Vera product, always purchase those
made from 100% pure Aloe Vera Look out for the International
Aloe Science Council Seal of Approval as a guide
Natural fruit flavourings may be added to Aloe Vera drinks to
make them more palatable, but avoid those that contain
artificial flavours and colourings Clear juices should be
avoided as it means the pulp (containing much of the benefit)
has been strained Also avoid those products that use the whole
plant, as the outer leaf contains a latex that has a strong
laxative effect If you experience side-effects, such as
diarrhoea, you should reduce your dose and consider switching
products
The words ‘gel’ and ‘juice’ are often used interchangeably, so
some drinks can be described as gels If taking Aloe Vera
internally you would normally take between 2 fl oz (60ml) and 6
fl oz (180ml) per day depending on the acuteness of your
condition If you start out on a high dose you would expect to
reduce to the lower doses by about six weeks
To experience the full benefits of an Aloe Vera product it is
often recommended that it is used regularly for a minimum period
of three months
[Please note that this does not constitute medical advice If
you suffer from a medical condition you should always seek the
advice of a doctor or your chosen practitioner]

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