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Healing ways of aloe vera

Original article on INQ7.net by Lynett A. Villariba, 14 February 2005.

Break a leaf to cool a burn.

ALOE vera's properties as a first aid treatment for burn were revealed to me while visiting an aunt who loved to cook and tend a garden.

In the kitchen, she burned her hand on the hot stove. She immediately applied cold water, then reached out, not for a first aid kit, but for a potted aloe vera plant. She took a leaf, sliced it open, and applied the gel on the affected area.

Not only did the cool gel quickly relieve the pain, the burn also healed without a scar. In fact, the "treatment" prevented blistering. I then understood why aloe vera was called "the burn plant."

I have also heard grandmother's tales about aloe vera-in the days when home gardens always included a sabila plant-being used to treat dandruff, split ends and falling hair.

These applications of the plant go way back to 1500 B.C. when Egyptians recorded the use of aloe vera in treating burns, infections and parasites. The Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra were said to have used it as part of their regular beauty regimens.Supposedly, Alexander the Great was persuaded in 333 B.C. by his mentor, Aristotle, to capture parts of Africa where aloes grew because they were needed to treat his wounded soldiers.

Another story says Greek scientists 2000 years ago regarded aloe vera as the universal panacea. Through time, aloe vera, one of many varieties of the Lily family, lived up to its name as the true aloe ("vera" means true in Spanish).

By the 21st century, it has become the most widely used ingredient in skin care products, found in almost all cosmetics, and the most used raw material for laxatives in the world.

What makes aloe vera work?

Topical gel

ALOE vera gel is the leaf pulp or mucilage, a thin, clear, jelly-like substance that appears when the green skin of a leaf is removed.

The aloe vera gel is a diverse mixture of antibiotic, astringent, coagulating agent, pain inhibitor, cell growth stimulator and scar inhibitor.
The gel seems to contain a "wound hormone" that accelerates the rates of healing of injured skins and helps generate new skin cells.
It is used as an ointment for skin injury, as well as an ingredient in various beauty preparations.
Tonic drink

ALOE juice is a bitter yellow extract from tubules beneath the outer skin that has a very strong laxative effect.

Aloe juice naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over-acidity. It is found to sooth digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers.
It has been utilized as a beverage since ancient times. Today, the juice is dried to produce "aloe" granules that become dark brown from exposure to air, for pharmaceutical use.
Because aloe vera plants consist of 95 percent water, its leaves and root system can be extracted to provide a tonic drink containing active healing ingredients. Health treatments are made in combination with other plants and herbs.
As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.
Active ingredients

Vitamins notably the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, and a trace of B12-one of the few plant sources of this vitamin.
Enzymes that break down fat and sugars: bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation and pain when topically applied to the skin, lipases and proteases aid digestion, while others help digest dead tissues in wounds
Minerals essential for proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways: Calcium, Sodium Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Chromium and the anti-oxidant Selenium
Sugars from the mucilage layer of the plant: enhance the immune system and help to detoxify main moisturizers in topical preparations
Anthraquinones, found in the plant sap, aids absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract and has anti-microbial and pain killing effects (aloin and emodin).
Lignin, an inert substance, makes aloe vera's ingredients easily absorbed into our skin
Saponins, soapy substances that make up 3 percent of the gel, have cleansing and antiseptic properties against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts
Fatty acids cholesterol, campesterol, b. sisosterol and lupeol-four plant steroids important as anti-inflammatory agents
Salicylic acid, an aspirin- like compound possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties
Amino acids provide 20 of 22 amino acids the body needs and 7 out of 8 essential amino acids the body cannot synthesize
A pot of natural remedy for every home

THOSE wise to aloe vera's healing benefits keep a potted "burn plant" in the kitchen. When the need arises, treatment for minor burns and wounds comes direct from a flowerpot of mature plant.

A tonic drink can be drawn from the plant. To make a salve, remove the thin outer skin and process the leaves in a blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder or choice fruits and herbs, then store in the refrigerator.

Like most natural remedies, aloe vera works best when used fresh from the plant but it oxidizes rapidly when exposed to air. Fortunately for us, because it only grows in warm, fertile conditions like those in the Philippines, they make excellent house plants.

Grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade.

A succulent closely resembling a cactus, aloe vera stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system that enables the plant to survive long periods of drought.

The soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought well but, for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.

Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system. Choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one.

Use a planter with a drainage hole, or provide a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure adequate drainage.

Aloe vera menu

FOR MOST of us, it may be more convenient to buy a processed product.

However, to achieve the correct balance of ingredients, the product should remain as natural as possible, not chemically altered nor heat-treated. Processed products are difficult to keep stable, so the best source of aloe gel is still direct from a broken leaf of the plant.

Aloe Vera of Australia has come up with formulations that read like an
alchemist's list of how we can maximize the healing potential of the tropical aloe vera plant.

Skin injury relief

Aloe vera extract mixed with tea tree oil assists in the secondary treatment of minor burns, cuts, wounds, insect bites, rashes, stings, and mild skin irritations.

It can relieve itching due to insect bites and allergies.

Beauty care

Used for facial cleansing and toning, aloe vera wipes away pollutants, makeup and impurities while maintaining the skin's natural balance and moisture.

It can assist in the removal of damaged skin cells and promote healthy new cells, softening and rejuvenating skin.

Sun protector

As nature's ideal hydrator and moisturizer, the soothing gel takes the pain and heat out of sun and windburn instantly.

Enriched with peppermint essential oil, it reduces redness and helps prevent peeling.

Gentle laxative

Combined with apple extract and psyllium husks, aloe vera tonic provides a gentle natural laxative for constipation and irregularity.

Anti-inflammation

For inflamed joints, aloe vera juice, enriched with anti-inflammatory celery seed, calming white willow and juniper berry, can relieve discomfort and pain associated with arthritis and cartilage damage.

Sources
Aloe Vera of Australia products
www.positivehealth.com
www.thegardenhelper.com

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Richard Haigh, richard@aloeveraexpress.com 44 01865 229221