What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera, is a succulent, perennial plant and is a member of the Lily family though it closely resembles a cactus. This plant belongs to a larger family of plants called “Xeroids” and is known to be a xerophyte, which means that it grows in warm, dry areas therefore commonly found in dry African. Asian and European Regions. There is known to be a total of 250 species of Aloe Vera, and among these, only five are recognized to contain nutritional value beneficial to humans and animals having Aloe barbadensis miller on top of them. These five Aloe Vera species include:

• Aloe Barbadensis Miller
• Aloe Perryi Baker
• Aloe Ferox
• Aloe Arborescens
• Aloe Saponaria

Aloe Vera has thick, spiny leaves growing with short stalk from ground level and is related to other members of the Lily family such as onion, turnip, and garlic families. It grows from ground level to a rosette pattern and may produce up to 16 leaves and weigh as much as 3 pounds when mature.

Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known to benefit humans for hundreds and thousands of years now. Traditionally, it is used for healing wounds and many skin conditions. Today, not only is aloe vera used externally, but can be taken orally as well to treat a wide range of conditions including diabetes, asthma, osteoarthritis and epilepsy. The clear gel contained inside the leaves of the aloe vera are the ones used as topical ointments while the green part of the leaf surrounding the gel is extracted to produce a juice called latex which can be taken by mouth. There are many conditions that could benefit from taking Aloe Vera, these are:

• Acne

  Probably one of the most known benefits of aloe vera is its excellent ability in improving numerous skin conditions such as acne. However, it must be noted that it does not “treat” acne but instead reduces its swelling, redness and inflammation as little as one week of application. Sufferers can simply break the aloe vera leaf and apply the watery gel to the acne area. It acts as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial ointment for the skin.

• Diabetes

  Though the link connecting aloe vera and diabetes is not much known, findings have pointed out that aloe vera can lower and improve glucose levels of the blood. A study conducted by Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand shows that aloe vera intake can lower patients with type 2 diabetes’ fasting blood glucose by 57 percent in six weeks intake of 2 tablespoons of 80% aloe vera juice. A second study was conducted and fasting blood glucose lowered by 49 percent and triglycerides by 52 percent. On the third study, results showed that 94 percent of the diabetes patients had their glucose levels back to normal.

• Burns

  Aloe Vera also can also act as an anti-inflammatory ointment for the skin. Just like acne and other skin conditions like itching, insect bites, rashes and cold sores, rubbing the watery gel upon the burned skin would improve its condition. It can help reduce the redness of the skin and provide therapeutic effect on mild burns and sun burns.

• Hypertension

  Many herbs have shown to be an effective high blood pressure treatment, and aloe vera is no exception. Carboxypeptidase, a compound found in aloe vera, inactivates a compound called bradykinin in the blood that can weaken and damage blood vessels thus improving blood circulation. It also acts as a body alkalizer, helping maintain normal body pH level and avoiding free radical damage in veins and arteries. Adding aloe vera in you daily diet, together with regular exercise will help in preventing hypertension.

• Arthritis

  Doctors define arthritis as an inflammation of one or more joints which results to stiffness, swelling and pain. Aloe Vera, which is widely known as an anti-inflammatory, is one of the best treatments for arthritis sufferers. A study published in the Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association in 1994 showed how aloe vera prevents arthritis and reduces inflammation in affected areas, showing a 70% decrease in the swelling.

• Constipation

  Constipation, the most common form of digestive problem, is experienced when egesting becomes difficult, irregular and painful. Aloe vera becomes a powerful laxative if taken internally and maintains bowel movement that helps bring back the balance of good bacteria in the colon. This can be done by adding 2 tablespoons of pure aloe gel into a glass of apple or cranberry juice and taking it once a day in 5 days. Aloe capsules may also be taken with the proper prescription of your doctor.

• Psoriasis

  A study presented at the International Congress of Dermatology showed a greater decrease in disease activity for those with plaque psoriasis who took aloe vera rather than topical steroids. Psoriasis is a skin diseases characterized by red, dry plaques of thickened skin. Most psoriasis sufferers rely on topical ointments like expensive steroids. In the study, half of the 80 patients received a 70% aloe vera cream and the other half 0.1 percent of topical steroid. After eight weeks, those who were given aloe vera cream showed greater reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

• Varicose Veins

  Swollen, irregular shaped veins called varicose veins found in legs commonly develop in women and cause much self-consciousness. Treatment of aloe vera together with tea tree oil combat varicose veins as they help in reducing redness, swelling, inflammation and discomfort from mild to moderate cases. Recommended aloe vera dosage is from 50 to 200mg per day in capsule for while tea tree oil is applied three to four times a day in the affected skin.

There are no known severe side effects of Aloe Vera since it is a non-toxic herb if taken in moderation. Suggested intake of Aloe Vera Juice is from 1-4 ounces, Aloe Vera Gel from 1-2 tablespoon and Concentrated Aloe Vera must be no more than 15 grams. People allergic from Aloe Vera must avoid taking such.

Sources
aloeverabenefits.com
nccam.nih.gov
naturalnews.com
homeremediesweb.com
diabeteswellbeing.com
ezinearticles.com
aloe1.com
everydayhealth.com
thehealthierlife.co.uk