ALOE VERA
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ALOE VERA
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This is one of the hardest pages to write because Aloe Vera is one of the few substances I have dealt with on this site that cannot be made at home where the quality can be monitored. It must be purchased or grown. There are lots of suppliers but although I can't call most of them a bunch of crooks, they certainly take liberties with the truth in their advertising. The result is that I have to spend a lot of time and space showing you how to navigate around the rocks!
The Aloe plant itself (at least the species we are most interested in) is Aloe (barbadensis miller) one of about 240 species, only four of which have any nutritional or medical value. It looks like a variety of cactus but in reality it is a member of the Lily family:-
The Aloe plant itself (at least the species we are most interested in) is Aloe (barbadensis miller) one of about 240 species, only four of which have any nutritional or medical value. It looks like a variety of cactus but in reality it is a member of the Lily family:-
Aloe plant (barbadensis miller).
The valuable portion of the plant is the gel, which contains some 75 nutrients and more than 200 active compounds. This is the most important product although you will find such substances as Aloe Vera Juice, Aloe Vera Drinks and various other combinations of Aloe vera and other fruit juices etc. Keep away from them unless the manufacturer will provide you with a list of contents in percentages of actual Aloe Vera! (They won't. I've tried).
The therapeutic dose of the gel is 2-4 ounces once or twice daily. It cleanses the digestive system, helps regulate weight, provides support to the immune system, is a natural anti-inflammatory has definite antimicrobial properties and in conjunction with its nutritional components it constitutes a cellular regenerator par excellance! It is in this latter role as a cellular regenerator (used in conjunction with Kombucha, which is a cellular cleanser), that its value for our purposes (improved health and extended longevity) is so high.
To ensure that what you take is genuine Aloe vera gel (the valuable part of the plant), you have only one real option. You go to the top and don't rely on the advertising blurb many producers resort to. There does exist a standards body for the Aloe industry, That body is the International Aloe Science Council (IASC).which certifies the Aloe content and purity in a particular product. Their certification, which is indicated by the logo below, is in effect a content guarantee, For my money, any product which does not bear the councils seal of certification is a no-no regardless of the price! That's the best advice I can give you.
The most valuable service provided by the council (IMHO) is a list of all companies, and their products, certified by the council. To see this list (print it out!) go to this address:-
Historically, the Aloe has a long and distinguished history as a healing plant. Its earliest recorded use was discovered in an Egyptian papyrus dating back to 3500 B.C. which places the knowledge and use of the Aloe plant squarely at the dawn of the known historical period. Rather obviously, its medicinal and cosmetic properties probably extend way back into pre-history.
It's healing value was sufficiently recognized to invite an invasion of the island of Sacrota in the Indian Ocean (333 B.C.) by Alexander the Great (at the behest of Aristotle, his mentor) who needed the plant to bolster the medical resources of his armies. A little later on it was cited in ancient Rome by the physicians Discorides, Galen and Pliny the Elder as a healing agent. It was well known and used by both the early Chinese and Indian civilizations.
There was a concurrent usage of Aloe Vera in the cosmetic industry (yes, ladies, there was indeed a cosmetics industry in all times, historic and pre-historic). It was puportedly used as a beauty aid, mostly in compiled topical application such as creams and lotions by both Egyptian Queens - Nefertiti and Cleopatra.
Nefertiti was one of the most beautiful women of all time (the famous limestone head sculpture of her, which was excavated in 1912 supports this). She was the wife of the Pharaoh Akeheaten and lived circa 1345 B.C. Contemporary accounts and another sculptureded head of Cleopatra (still extant in Alexandria) indicate that she wasn't even remotely beautiful so obviously Aloe Vera does not have the same cosmetic effect on everyone. Don't expect too much, ladies!
Down through the centuries the Aloe has gathered many names. Lily of the Desert, Plant of Immortality, Medicine Plant, Burn Plant and many more. Additionally, it has been subjected to many studies, in fact it has been studied and written about almost to death!
It's healing value was sufficiently recognized to invite an invasion of the island of Sacrota in the Indian Ocean (333 B.C.) by Alexander the Great (at the behest of Aristotle, his mentor) who needed the plant to bolster the medical resources of his armies. A little later on it was cited in ancient Rome by the physicians Discorides, Galen and Pliny the Elder as a healing agent. It was well known and used by both the early Chinese and Indian civilizations.
There was a concurrent usage of Aloe Vera in the cosmetic industry (yes, ladies, there was indeed a cosmetics industry in all times, historic and pre-historic). It was puportedly used as a beauty aid, mostly in compiled topical application such as creams and lotions by both Egyptian Queens - Nefertiti and Cleopatra.
Nefertiti was one of the most beautiful women of all time (the famous limestone head sculpture of her, which was excavated in 1912 supports this). She was the wife of the Pharaoh Akeheaten and lived circa 1345 B.C. Contemporary accounts and another sculptureded head of Cleopatra (still extant in Alexandria) indicate that she wasn't even remotely beautiful so obviously Aloe Vera does not have the same cosmetic effect on everyone. Don't expect too much, ladies!
Down through the centuries the Aloe has gathered many names. Lily of the Desert, Plant of Immortality, Medicine Plant, Burn Plant and many more. Additionally, it has been subjected to many studies, in fact it has been studied and written about almost to death!
Hundreds of these scientific studies and journals were reviewed by Dr Bill Coats R.Ph. who then reported in his book "The Silent Healer - A modern study of Aloe Vera" that the following beneficial Aloe Vera properties are:
Anti-inflammatory - counteracts or suppresses the inflammatory process.
Analgesic - relieves pain deep beneath the surface.
Anti-pruritic - relieves itching.
'Humectant - moisturises, promoting retention of water in skin tissue.
'Proteolytic - enzymatically dissolves and digests damaged or dead tissue cells enhancing the process of healing.
'Regenerative - stimulates the growth of skin cells.
'Antipyretic - relieves the heat of burns, inflammation and fever.
'Absorbefacient - promotes absorption through tissues.
'Fungistatic - inhibits the growth of fungi.
'Virustatic - inhibits replication of viruses.
'Detoxifying - helps to cleanse and purify the body.
'Bacteriostatic - inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria.
More recently, in 1992, C. Pittman wrote a short review and summary of the stimulatory nature of Aloe vera (True Aloe) on the immune system whereby he ~ concluded - "Acemannan, (a polysaccharide fraction found in Aloe) has direct effects on the immune system, activating and stimulating macrophages, monocytes, antibodies and T-cells."
Anti-inflammatory - counteracts or suppresses the inflammatory process.
Analgesic - relieves pain deep beneath the surface.
Anti-pruritic - relieves itching.
'Humectant - moisturises, promoting retention of water in skin tissue.
'Proteolytic - enzymatically dissolves and digests damaged or dead tissue cells enhancing the process of healing.
'Regenerative - stimulates the growth of skin cells.
'Antipyretic - relieves the heat of burns, inflammation and fever.
'Absorbefacient - promotes absorption through tissues.
'Fungistatic - inhibits the growth of fungi.
'Virustatic - inhibits replication of viruses.
'Detoxifying - helps to cleanse and purify the body.
'Bacteriostatic - inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria.
More recently, in 1992, C. Pittman wrote a short review and summary of the stimulatory nature of Aloe vera (True Aloe) on the immune system whereby he ~ concluded - "Acemannan, (a polysaccharide fraction found in Aloe) has direct effects on the immune system, activating and stimulating macrophages, monocytes, antibodies and T-cells."
Don't be misled by all of this scholarly attention. In my reading and research on Aloe vera I have read nothing but good and have accepted this fact in my own use of the gel. However, I am always on the lookout for conditions where Aloe is contraindicated and symptoms indicating overmedication and excessive application (both internally and topically). The only contraindication has been a brief and solitary mention of diarrhea and stomach irritation together with the possibility of dehydration and the excretion of red urine, all of which can be controlled by ceasing to take the gel internally.
The point is, that if you are about to embark on any program including the use of Aloe vera, you really owe it to yourself to research this aspect. You're attempting to improve your health, remember?
The point is, that if you are about to embark on any program including the use of Aloe vera, you really owe it to yourself to research this aspect. You're attempting to improve your health, remember?
Of course, you can always grow your own supply of Aloe, even in the house! This was once a common sight in the U.S, like an organic First Aid kit in the kitchen!
A very pleasant picture of Aloe (barbadensis miller) in a garden environment. Note that this plant is flowering as indicated by the enter stalk and its cap of yellow florets.
In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought. The value of Aloe vera is infinitely greater when its ingestion is coupled with a similar quantity of Kombucha (see page on Kombucha). Aloe is, of course, primarily a cellular re-generator while Kombucha is primarily a cellular cleanser - they go together like ham and eggs! In conjunction with Kefir (see also web page on Kefir) it represents an elixir of such potential that it simply cannot be overlooked by the serious student. As a matter of interest, this is my private recipe :-
24 hr. Kefir 4 ounces GI tract maintenance
Kombucha 4 ounces Cellular cleanser
Aloe vera 4 ounces Cellular regenerator
Medium banana Potassium source
Ground flax seed 2 tsp. Blood pressure (optional)
1- 2 envelopes sweetener
Vanilla extract 1 tsp.
Blend until smooth and drink! By the way, you drink this as breakfast. Not with it! If you can't get it down all at once, split the quantity and place in the refrigerator until you can drink it later in the day. Tastes delicious, particularly when chilled.
24 hr. Kefir 4 ounces GI tract maintenance
Kombucha 4 ounces Cellular cleanser
Aloe vera 4 ounces Cellular regenerator
Medium banana Potassium source
Ground flax seed 2 tsp. Blood pressure (optional)
1- 2 envelopes sweetener
Vanilla extract 1 tsp.
Blend until smooth and drink! By the way, you drink this as breakfast. Not with it! If you can't get it down all at once, split the quantity and place in the refrigerator until you can drink it later in the day. Tastes delicious, particularly when chilled.
The sands are running out!
Finis