| 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. |
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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 E.coli.
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.]
About
the Author
Penny
Williams is a nutritional therapist helping women to achieve
optimum health through nutrition. She writes regularly for
the LifeFirst ezine, which you can sign up for here: http://www.lifefirst.info
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