Aloe Vera

In recent years Aloe Vera has become a popular health promoting product, both in its topical gel form and also as a therapeutic drink. Although there are 200 species of Aloe Vera, the variety used for therapeutic purposes is Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller.

The healing powers of the Aloe plant have been known for nearly 3000 years and it was used in the past to heal the wounds of the troops. The Aloe is a member of the lily family and is often referred to as “the healing plant” mainly because it can heal itself very quickly if its flesh is cut.

The Aloe consists of two parts, the whole leaf extract and the inner leaf gel. The whole leaf need to be processed so that the Aloin can be extracted. This is usually sold as a concentrate and contains a powerful source of immune regulating sugars known as glucomannans. The inner leaf gel requires little in the way of processing and contains salicylates which have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The inner leaf gel is also thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, anti fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is possible to buy an Aloe Vera plant to keep in your home, and this is certainly a very valuable addition to the first aid kit especially if you have a burn. Just remove one of the succulent leaves and remove some of the gel from the center. If this is put on a burn immediately after it happens it can reduce the possibility of blistering, it takes away the pain and enables the burnt skin to heal more quickly. Of course most people would probably prefer to buy the gel in a tube.

When purchasing Aloe Vera products it is important to ensure that you are buying a good quality product that has bee given a kite mark by the Health Food Manufacturers Association (in the UK). The kite mark is a guarantee that the “active” ingredients are present.

Aloe Vera can be used topically on radiotherapy burns / reddening, sunscreen, leg ulcers, and other minor burns. The Aloe Vera inner leaf gel and the whole leaf concentrate can be used to treat bowel conditions such as irritable bowel and Crohn’s disease; and arthritic conditions. Aloe Vera has the ability to stimulate the healing process while also reducing the body’s inflammatory response.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews