Aloe Vera - The Benefits, Uses & Cautions:

The potent healing properties of Aloe vera have been known for thousands of years

The potent healing properties of Aloe vera have been known for thousands of years.

Aloe vera is a perennial plant belonging to the Lily family.

Clinical studies have revealed that the active ingredients in Aloe Vera have been shown to have analgesic (pain killing), wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects.

Aloe Vera’s Key Benefits Include:

1. Helping Digestive Tract disorders / ‘Digestion’ generally

It's the Perfect Internal Cleanser / Daily De-Tox.

Also good for constipation (relieving it not getting it!!!), bowel problems etc

(these stem from poor digestion generally).

2. Anti-Inflammatory & ‘Cooling’ Effects.

It's great for excessive ‘heat’ based problems – heartburn, ulcers etc,

and for a general 'cooling effect' during the warmer weather.

3. Skin… Repairer, Soother, Protector…etc:

It's one of the all-time best things for your skin - wound/skin healing, anti-inflammatory effects and giving you a smooth lustrous skin glow.

4. Great ‘Overall Nutritional Source’ - vitamins, minerals, amino’s etc – for your immune system, cell repair (anti-aging), energy etc.

Aloe Vera Contains:

Most vitamins (excluding vitamin D) - vitamins A, C (antioxidants). B Vitamins thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid etc.

Minerals such as iron, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and chromium.

Enzymes shown to give analgesic (pain reducing) and anti-inflammatory effects, and to assist healthy digestion through the breakdown of fats and sugars.

20 of the 22 non-essential amino acids (protein precursors) and seven of the eight ‘essential’ amino acids needed by the human body.

Sallcylic acid – the aspirin-like compound containing blood thinning, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Caution: When not to use Aloe Vera Internally:

There are instances where one should not take aloe vera – particularly in larger doses.

1. Menstruation:

AVOID (particularly in the days prior to day 3)

2. ‘Cold-based’ imbalances:

stomach ‘cramps’, colds (acute), chilblains etc – avoid/avoid high doses (temporarily) or at least ensure taken with ‘warm/hot’ fluid.

3. Diarrhea:

Avoid during diarrhea.

4. Pregnancy - ???

If you do get a cheaper, poorly manufactured Aloe, avoid if pregnant.

* Whole leaf of Aloe Barbadensis preparations that are ‘crushed’ not filleted individually, are the cause of this problem (they can be highly ‘cathartic’/purgative).

This is generally not applicable with good quality Aloe gels.

Important Points When Buying Aloe Vera:

1. Favour 'Plain' Natural Tasting Aloe Vera:

Many companies either change the Aloe Vera to change it's 'unique' taste or combine it with fruits or other things to 'mask' the taste!!!

Cheaper brands are more watery (less potent), and many companies look to add sweeteners etc, to make the aloe more palatable. This is not ideal. The natural bitter taste is actually a vital part of its ‘medicinal’ effects. Obviously, if you can't stomach it, add something to it. But it's not that bad.

2. Get the Thicker (‘Pulpy’) Aloe Vera’s… not ‘Watery’ Aloe Vera:

The watery ones are low quality aloe (generally cheaper) and don’t have the true medicinal benefits (or taste – see below).

3. Buy Aloe Vera in an Opaque (non-clear) Container:

* It is understood that Aloe Gel ‘denatures’ in direct sunlight.

* Watery Aloe gel is far less ‘potent’/effective

4. Use Gel ‘Externally’ too:

* can use drink gel (plain) topically - on burns, lesions etc

* e.g a warm bath with ½ -1 cup aloe gel great for sunburn etc

* combine with wheatgerm oil externally to reduce bruising etc

5. Generally Avoid the Capsules of Dried Aloe Leaf.

Dried aloe is not the same as the real thing. Favour the gels.

Note:

*** Getting what’s known as ‘stabilised’ aloe vera gel is very important too.

This means you are getting as close to the natural inner gel of the aloe vera plant as possible.

Some manufacturers use excessive heat or unnatural filtration during the manufacturing process. This reduces (damages) the effectivness (and sometimes affects the safety) of the aloe. Many of the important compounds such as the enzymes can be destroyed.

Recommended Brands:

Forever Living Products have an excellent Aloe Gel/Drink. However, this only purchased through 'network marketing, so if you don't know anyone who sells it, try your health food shop etc.

GNC have a pretty good one if can't get Forever Living. Avoid Lifestream (Green plastic bottle).

Ways to Use Aloe vera (Juice / Gel):

1. Take 15-25ml in warm water twice a day - morning & afternoon.

2. If you do a morning cleansing drink (see below) use it then.

3. If you have any sunburn, rashes, cuts etc, try dabbing a clean cloth

in the aloe and then putting topically on skin.

4. If you have anything like acid stomach, ulcers etc - take extra aloe.

* Mouth ulcers - swish aloe around in your mouth for 1-2 minutes a few times a day.

Maximising Aloe Vera’s Results:

1. Take it with ‘WARM Water’…not Cold (from fridge etc)

2. Take it as close to 6.00AM as possible, during the morning intake.

3. Take as part of a Complete Morning Cleanser/Mini-De-Tox

* e.g Morning Cleansing Drink – see below

Morning Power Cleanse:

See - http://www.healthspeaker.com.au/dietnutritionrecipes.php?p=7

Bibliography/Further Reading:

* Danhoff IE, McAnally BH (1983) Stabilised Aloe Vera, its effect on human skin

cells. Drugs in the Cosmetics Industry. 133, 52-196

* Davis RH Kabbani JM, Moro NP (1987) Aloe Vera and wound Healing.

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 77, 4, 165-169

* Heggers JP (1996) Beneficial Effect of Aloe on wound healing in an excisional

wound healing model. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2, 2,

271-277

* Hirat T, Suga T (1983) The efficiency of aloe plants, chemical constituents and

biological activities. Cosmetics and toiletries. 98, 105-108

* Lorenzetti LJ et al (1964) Bacteriostatic property of Aloe Vera. Journal of the

Pharmaceutical Society. 53, 1287-1290.

* Shelton MS (1991) Aloe Vera, its chemical and therapeutic properties. International

journal of dermatology. 30, 679-683.

* Strickland FM et al (1993) Prevention of Ultraviolet radiation and induced

suppression of contact and delyed hypersensitivity by Aloe Barbadensis gel extract.

Journal of investigative dermatology. 9, 6, 197-204

Article written by Mark Bunn - guest speaker & writer of health speakers articles.

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