 |
Health and Your LifeImprove Your Lifestyle |
Aloe Vera - No Wonder They Call It The 'Miracle Plant'
by Kay Blackiston
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family. It is a succulent that looks very much like a cactus, and is known by various names such as the burnt plant, the miracle plant, the natural healer and the medicine plant. Although there are more than two hundred species of Aloe Vera, only a few have medicinal properties, and of these, Aloe Vera Barbadensis is the most beneficial.
The Aloe Vera plant reaches maturity at about four years of age. The outer leaf is smooth and rubbery. Inside the leaf is the gel and sap, which is harvested, preserved and bottled to give either a juice or, when combined with other ingredients, creams, lotions and gels. About 96% of the plant is water. The rest is made up of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium and the antioxidant selenium, vitamins including the antioxidants C, E and beta carotene, 20 of the 22 amino acids required by the body including 7 of the 8 that cannot be manufactured by the body, sugars, enzymes and fatty acids. The combination of these elements has a more powerful effect together than individually. Each property enhances the effect of the others, an occurrence that is known as synergism. Aloe Vera works in two different areas; by promoting healing or preventing injury to the epithelial tissues (the skin, the lining of the gut, the bronchial tubes, etc) and by balancing the immune system when its antioxidants fight free radicals produced by our metabolism and pollutants in the environment. When taken internally, Aloe Vera is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers. The anti-inflammatory fatty acids are also helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It alkalizes digestive juices, preventing overacidity - a common cause of indigestion. Amongst many other ailments that have been helped by Aloe Vera are diverticulitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation and hemorrhoids. Conditions improved Aloe's ability to balance the immune system are arthritis, asthma, ME (post viral fatigue syndrome) and LE (lupus). When applied to the skin, Aloe Vera improves a large variety of skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, burns, stings, acne, bites, scrapes, abrasions, scalp care, sore muscles, cold sores, bruises, sprains and frostbite to name but a few! More recent studies show Aloe Vera can help prolong survival and stimulate the immune system of cancer patients. This occurs partly as a result of antioxidant properties which eliminate free radicals and the stimulation of white blood cells to release immune-activating and anticancer substances such as interferons, interleukins and tumour necrosis factor. The healthful properties of Aloe Vera have also made it an effective part of a nutrition support program for HIV patients. It has been found to lead fewer occurrences of infections such as thrush, fatigue and diarrhea and an increase in the number of white blood cells meaning a boost to their immune system.How Aloe Vera Works
Uses for Aloe Vera
Darlene Zagata is a freelance writer and poet. Her work has appeared in several electronic and print
publications. She is a columnist for Child Care Magazine and a staff writer for Ritro.com. She is
also the editor of Thought Fragments, a poetry ezine for the new and emerging poet and The Write
Way Ezine, a general interest publication. © 2001
Email Darlene.
Read Other
Health Insights
Coral Calcium
Green Powders
Liquid Supplements
Nutrition Supplements
Weight Loss
Health Books
pH Paper
Home
PayPal is one of the payment options in the shopping cart.