Aloe vera also known as the true aloe or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe that is believed to have originated in the Sudan. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India, Nepal and other arid areas.
The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Many scientific studies on the use of extracts of Aloe vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting.
Aloe Vera contains the following:
- 6 natural antiseptic elements
- 7 essential vitamins including B6 and B12
- 19 amino acids (8 essential, 11 secondary)
- 20 minerals and trace elements
- 300x more antioxidant power than vitamins C or E
- Cholesterol reducer
- Salicylic Acid (natural pain killer)
- Beta Sisosterol, Lupeol and Campesterol (contributors to pain reduction)
When I say aloe vera is the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature, I don’t make that statement lightly. Of all the herbs I’ve ever studied — and I’ve written thousands of articles on nutrition and disease prevention –aloe vera is the most impressive herb of them all. (Garlic would be a close second.) There is nothing on this planet that offers the amazing variety of healing benefits granted by aloe vera. In a single plant, aloe vera offers potent,natural medicine that:
- Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
- Lowers high cholesterol.
- Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.
- Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
- Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
- Protects the body from oxidative stress.
- Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
- Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
- Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.
- Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
- Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
- Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
- Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
- Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
- Ends constipation.
- Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
- Prevents and treats candida infections.
- Protects the kidneys from disease.
- Functions as nature’s own “sports drink” for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
- Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
- Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.
- Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair.
Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera:
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Recent studies also have shown that aloe vera juice may help boost the circulation, lower cholesterol and decrease triglycerides and blood fat lipid levels, all factors which contribute to coronary Heart disease. It also may have stress relieving properties, helping to lower blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart.
- Aloe vera halts inflammation: Using aloe topically is well known to ease inflammation of joints, reducingarthritispain. But aloe can also be used internally, reducing inflammation throughout the body from the inside out. People who drink aloe vera for two weeks typically begin to experience a significant reduction of inflammation symptoms.
- Oral Health: Thanks to its antibacterial properties, aloe vera juice soothes and heals mouth ulcers and guards against tooth decay and gum disease.
- Skin and Hair Health: Aloe vera has an astringent property that tightens skin. Drinking the juice can boost production of and repair elastin and collagen, slowing the aging of skin. As a moisturizer, aloe vera removes dead cells and helps the entrance of healthy substances. The cosmetics industry has been exploring its potential for reducing blemishes and lightening dark spots on the face. Drinking aloe vera juice can also help psoriasis sufferers as it reduces itching, and it can be applied directly to the skin of psoriasis and acne rosacea patients causing notable improvement in the severity of lesions. Containing as many as 75 nutrients, aloe vera juice is a popular remedy for burns and wounds. Cuts, bruises and scrapes heal quickly on application of aloe. Aloe vera juice is also a useful aid against shingles, providing relief from itching, and helping to heal the blisters and sores.
- Weight Loss: Aloe Vera juice may help people lose weight. It works well to reduce and stabilize the body mass index by stimulating the metabolic rate in our liver cells, causing more fat and carbohydrate stores in the body to be burned. Aloe vera juice works well as a weight loss supplement due to its high content of collagen protein. Drinking aloe vera juice every day makes the body burn additional energy to assimilate its protein into your system and reduces the amount of time food stays in your intestine, meaning less energy is absorbed from the food you consume.
- Aloe vera relieves joint and muscle pain: This effect is directly related to the inflammation factor mentioned above. It works when used both internally and externally. Essentially, aloe reduces overall inflammation. Of course, is you continue eating a pro-inflammatory diet (red meat,milk, sugar, white flour,fried foodsetc.) then you’ll never get rid of all your inflammation with aloe alone, but aloe can help ease your pain while you transition to a healthier lifestyle that eliminates the inflammation for good!
- Digestive Tract Health: Aloe Vera juice is said to be a potent detoxifier, cleansing the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder and colon and improving digestion. Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent, it can assuage common digestive problems such as candida, irritable bowel syndrome, acid indigestion, colitis, diarrhea and constipation. Several Japanese studies and clinical trials have shown it also promotes a healthy balance of stomach acids, relieving discomfort from heartburn and ulcers.
- Aloe vera cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and Celiac disease Poly saccharides in the aloe vera plant have curative effects on numerousdigestive disorders. The Internet is a storehouse of information and testimonials about aloe vera curingIBS, ulcers, Crohn’s disease and otherdisordersof the digestive tract. This is one of the best-known applications of aloe vera gel.
- Aids Digestion: Drinking aloe vera juice can help your digestive system function normally, according to the Maharishi Ayurveda website. If you drink concentrated aloe vera leaf juice before a meal, the aloe will get your digestive enzymes flowing and help your body break down hard-to-digest food. Aloe vera juice also helps your digestive system better absorb the nutrients in your food. Drinking aloe vera juice prevents stomach issues such as gas, bloating and constipation. For natural relief from constipation, try drinking aloe vera juice to get your sluggish bowels moving. Consult your health care provider before beginning to drink aloe vera juice for this condition..
- Immune System: Aloe vera juice fights infection and boosts the immune system. It is famous as an antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral agent. It helps the immune system fight a host of illnesses and aids the body in repairing tissue injury. Aloe contains a complex carbohydrate called acemannan with properties which may work by enhancing immune cell function. The juice may also kill yeast and parasites, as well as promote the growth of new, healthy cells.
- Reduces Anemia: If you suffer from anemia, a condition caused by a low number of red blood cells, you may benefit from drinking aloe vera juice, according to the Eat Healthy Live Healthy website. Try drinking aloe vera juice before a meal to stimulate your bone marrow, which creates red and white blood cells. Aloe juice can help reduce the fatigue and headaches associated with anemia, according to the website. Discuss this approach with your doctor first before initiating self-treatment with aloe vera juice.
- Reduces Blood Sugar Levels: According to the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, in a study led by Kwanghee Kim in September 2009, processed aloe vera gel, or PAL, administered to overweight mice appeared to lower blood glucose levels by decreasing insulin resistance and also lowered triacylglyceride levels in the liver and plasma. Kim and colleagues determined that the oral administration of PAG prevents the progression of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus-related symptoms in mice fed a high-fat diet, suggesting sthat PAG could be useful for treating non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.