The Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Over the centuries people have successfully used Aloe Vera for improving and preserving their health. Numerous positive experiences have proven the many benefits and the effectiveness of taking Aloe Vera products. Science has not yet fully explained all the mechanisms by which Aloe Vera acts on the human body. It is hypothesized that the "magic" powers may arise from the synergistic interactions of many bio-active compounds present in the plant.

Aloe Vera is known to have a soothing effect on the skin, but it can also be used as a food supplement (nutritional drink) for improving our health from within. During the last 30 years the industry has developed a proper stabilizing process, which enabled Aloe gel to become an essential product in promoting and enhancing people's health.

The Many Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera taken externally is most efficient as a first aid in treating various wounds and injuries caused either by freezing or burning (hot water, electricity, radiation, sun burns). It relieves pain, prevents infections, stops bleeding and speeds up wound healing. In dermatology, it helps eczema, herpes, allergies, psoriasis, fungal infections, rashes, dermatitis, teen acne and diaper rash.

Lately, the cosmetic companies have shown an increased interest in using Aloe Vera in skin care, hair and dental hygiene products.

When taken orally, Aloe Vera improves the balance of almost all body functions, from improving digestion to providing a good night sleep. It provides the vital elements necessary for proper body functions. It detoxifies the whole body and stimulates liver and kidney functions. It regulates digestive tract, food absorption and bowel movements. It helps the endocrine system including pancreas, thyroid gland and blood circulation. It alleviates the side effects of chemo and radiation therapy. It helps to reduce fatigue and tiredness, strengthens the immune system and has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It helps to reduce arthritic swelling and pain, reduces inflammation in joints and muscles. It rejuvenates and slows down the process of aging.

Aloe Vera gel is non-toxic, has no adverse effects and cannot be overdosed.

The Composition of Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera's gel contains a treasure of nutritional and healing phytogenic compounds. The plant contains over 250 bio-available active ingredients naturally balanced in the most efficient way. Its composition has been a subject of considerable scientific research and further development continue to reveal new components.

Aloe Vera's natural gel contains 12 vitamins, 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 16 enzymes, mono and polysaccharides, anthraquinones and their derivatives, lignin, saponins, sterols, mono and polyesters and non saturated essential fatty acids. The presence of all these compounds in its composition explains Aloe Vera's supremacy among medicinal plants and its many pharmacological properties.

1. Vitamins

12 vitamins, including: A (beta carotene), C (ascorbic acid), E (tocopherol and tocotrienol), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 which is rarely found in plants.

2. Minerals

More than 20 minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, chromium, copper, zinc, selenium... essential elements in the chemistry and processes of a healthy body

3. Amino Acids

Aloe contains 18 out of 22 amino acids required by the human body, as well as 7 out of 8 essential amino acids, which the body cannot synthesize and which must be present in the nutritional intake.

4. Enzymes

i). Digestive Enzymes

Lipases and proteases break down food and aid digestion.

ii) Anti-inflammatory Enzymes

Many enzymes required for proper functioning and reduction of inflammation in the human body are contained in Aloe Vera: peroxides, amylase, katalase, lipase, cellulase, carboxipeptydase, amylase, alkalin phosphatase.

Plant Sterols

There are three main types which act as powerful anti-inflammatory agents.

Lignin: this alcohol gives topical Aloe Vera its penetrative ability, to reach deep into the skin.

Saponins

These are soapy substances that exert a powerful anti-microbial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts such as Candida or 'thrush'.

Anthraquinones

The most important ones being aloin and emodin, and although present in only minute amounts they are strong painkillers, they are acknowledged to possess anti-bacterial and virucidal activity.

Why does it work?

It works by providing a rich cocktail of micro-nutritional elements whose combined action and balance produce a more powerful effect together than would be expected from the addition of the individual components. This is because they work as a team, enhancing each other's effect - known as synergism. It also has adaptogenic properties which means that different individuals take from it what they need, therefore the benefits vary from person to person.

Where does it work?

Aloe Vera, because of its nutritional and immune modulating properties, helps firstly to prevent injury to epithelial tissues, and when they are damaged, it promotes healing. Antioxidants fight the destructive 'free radicals', the unstable compounds produced by our metabolism and found in environmental pollutants. They are thought to cause various ailments, including some cancers, as well as contributing towards the aging process. A long chain sugar in aloe vera acts on the immune system to help regulate its activity.

An epithelium is an anatomical term defined as follows: 'a layer of cells that covers the body or lines a cavity that connects with it'. Our largest epithelium is our skin but also included are the lining of the gut, the bronchial tubes and the genital tract. No wonder aloe works just as well on damaged skin as it does, say, on an inflamed bowel or in asthma.

How does it work?

Its natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial action, combined within its nutritional constituents, promote cell growth, and therefore healing. However, it is not only helpful for people with problems; most people taking it report a greater sense of well being - they just feel 'better' or they report feeling calmer and less anxious. This could be due to aloe's effect on their immune system which, you may say, becomes balanced or fine-tuned, and therefore, more efficient at defending the body from attack.

Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel (when taken as a drink or applied externally to the skin and hair) has the following benefits:

It is a natural cleanser due to the presence of saponins.
It penetrates tissue due to its lignin content.
It anesthetizes the tissue in the area to which it is applied, relieving pain deep beneath the surface, including pain associated with joints and sore muscles.
It is bactericidal when held in high concentration for several hours in direct contact with bacteria, whereas antibiotics kill bacteria when highly diluted.
It is virucidal and fungicidal when in direct contact in high concentration for a long period of time.
It is anti-inflammatory. It acts like a steroid, but with no side effects.
It is antipruritic - reducing itching and burning. It is a natural moisturizer, taking moisture to all layers of the skin.
It stimulates cell replication.
The proteolytic enzymes break down dead tissue - cleansing a wound (topical products).
It helps to increase blood flow in the skin by capillary dilation.
It is health-giving to the skin and body by providing a wide range of vitamins, minerals, sugars, enzymes and amino acids, essential and secondary.

Safety

Each of the above benefits can be achieved with one or more drugs. Usually these are expensive and have numerous side effects. Aloe Vera can produce benefits in high concentration with virtually no side effects.

Aloe Vera is not a panacea for all ills and there is no magic about it. lt works only in the two areas mentioned previously - epithelial tissue and the immune system. This is largely backed up by anecdotal evidence, as many thousands of people over the centuries have reported benefit for various skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, burns, acne, even stings and bites.

They have found relief for bowel disorders such as diverticulosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other conditions resulting from a disordered immune system such as arthritis, asthma and ME (post viral fatigue syndrome) and LE (lupus) have improved after a regular ingestion of Aloe Vera Gel.

Aloe Vera therefore has a complementary role to play in the management of various conditions. It is very important, however, that people should always seek the advice of their doctor, when diagnosis is in doubt, or where a condition does not improve. Self diagnosis can be extremely dangerous as many serious conditions can mimic more simple ones.

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