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My Aloe Vera Related Pages
The Plant of Immortality
Aloe vera, also known as the “plant of immortality” for its healing properties, is used for its efficacy in protecting the skin from UV burns and other harmful chemicals.
Aloe vera‘s properties go beyond just protecting the skin against external threats. The plant can also help in the treatment of various disorders such as burns, wounds, abrasions, dermatitis and also for internal use. It is used in various preparations as a wound healer, anti-inflammatory agent and anti-bacterial agent. Aloe vera is commonly used internally for the oral care of mouth ulcers and digestive system.
The more than 200 components found in Aloe vera work in a sinergistic way to provide the necessary components that are essential for the skin and body.
Given the number of other potentially active compounds in the plant, it is possible that the biological activities of Aloe vera result from the synergistic action of a variety of compounds, rather than from a single defined component. Dagne et al. 2000; Hamman 2008
Let’s have a look at Aloe vera properties in detail.
Healing Properties
The more scientists study Aloe vera , the more they found out that it has properties that make it a superior healer. An extract of Aloe vera is not just useful for treating wounds and burns. It actually contains molecules that can heal even in cancer, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases.
The molecular structure of Aloe vera contains compounds called polysaccharides, which are the key to its powerful healing properties and which help in killing bacteria, fungus and viruses. These compounds are responsible for its wound-healing properties.
Antiviral
The polysaccharide acemannan is believed to boost our immune system. It also stimulate macrophages, which are white blood cells that fight an infection by engulfing and destroying bacteria, including virus and tumorous cells. Macrophages are a crucial part of the immune system, when it gets wounded and injured.
When the immune system gets damaged and weak, the body becomes more prone to diseases like cancer, bacterial infections and viral infections. Acemannan turns macrophages into anti-viral engines and in case of a viral infection, these macrophages can destroy viruses in addition to killing bacteria and fungi.
Acemannan is also believed to inhibit the growth of sarcoma, a common cancerous tumour that starts in the tissues. It has helped cats recovered from feline leukaemia (when fibrosarcoma is exposed to the acemannan in Aloe vera, the tissue, which is cancerous, is encapsulated and gradually gets broken down).
Adaptogen (Holistic Healing)
What does the term ‘adaptogen’ mean? It means the substance is able to adapt its effects according to the body’s requirements. It is said that Aloe vera has an adaptogenic effect on the body, so it would act appropriately according to the body’s needs. This is probably the reason why different people respond differently to its application.
An example of this would be if you take Aloe vera for gum disease and find that your skin health has improved considerably. The plant can help with different problems at the same time and this would be sometimes ‘accidental’ as the body requires it.
Anti-aging
It is believed the plant can increase the production of fibroblast cells which are found in the dermis and are responsible for producing collagen. Collagen is the substance that makes our skin look supple, flexible, youthful, firm and healthy. Aloe vera is effective in supporting the skin’s ability to produce collagen up to 6-8 times faster than its own rate.
As we age, fibroblasts slow down the production of collagen (and the quality is also reduced). This is a reason why our skin, especially the skin on our face and neck, starts to sag and we look aged. Aloe vera helps to regain a youthful appearance by increasing the production of collagen.
Aging spots – Aloe vera is a proven remedy for age spots as it contains a blocker that reduces the pigmentation.
Anti-inflammatory
The combination of Aloe vera’s chemical components together work as a great anti-inflammatory agent. It has been extensively used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as gout, arthritis, sprains, muscular pain, strains, burns, insect bites, poison ivy blisters, rashes by inflammation and skin diseases.
Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal, Antibacterial
Aloe vera has a broad spectrum of anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antibacterial activity. It has been used to treat a wide range of skin diseases such as psoriasis, warts and ringworm.
Antioxidant
Aloe vera is a potent antioxidant . Its anti-oxidant properties are that it helps to prevent the breakdown of other substances, preventing oxidation of cells and tissues. This is why it helps to prevent skin issues such as sunburn and cancers.
Anticancer
Although Aloe vera is not a proven cure for cancer, it has been widely used as a herbal remedy for curing different types of cancers.
Detoxifier
Aloe vera can be taken internally in the form of juice or gel for cleansing and detoxifying the body. It can help in cleaning the colon and help eliminate unwanted toxins. It can help heal ulcers and lesions.
Digestive Aid
Aloe vera is a good herbal remedy for treating our gastro-intestinal system . It has been known to treat indigestion, constipation, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. It helps in replenishing and healing the gut, aids in digestion and suppresses gas formation. It normalizes pH, reduces yeast content and inflammation, enhances uptake of nutrients, promotes good bacteria, flushes out harmful bacteria and can help with acid reflux.
Heart Support
The calcium isocitrate salts in Aloe vera have been shown to improve circulatory and blood pressure health. It is believed that it is anti-platelet aggregation, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, diuretic and cardioprotective.
Moisturizer
I use it daily. It makes the skin soft, smooth and even. It is good for dry, sensitive or damaged skin, due to its regeneration properties and anti-oxidant action. It protects the skin from rays, enhances production of fibroblasts so more collagen is generated, penetrates through all the layers of the skin carrying all its nutrients and creates a barrier that prevents water loss.
Pain Reliever
Aloe vera gel makes an excellent cooling, soothing and pain relieving gel that can be applied directly on the affected area. It can also be used as a mouth wash or even as a liniment on larger areas of pain or discomfort like knees and backs. The soothing effect of the Aloe vera helps to alleviate the pain in the body.
Full of Nutrients
Aloe vera has the most amount of vitamins and minerals among most other plants. It is a great source of vitamin A, B, C and E, as well as a good source of flavonoids and fatty acids. It is rich in minerals such as potassium, sodium and calcium.
Get the Full Benefits
I grow my own Aloe vera plants so I get to enjoy its benefits on a daily basis (I’m just about to take my dosage right now). I peel, wash and freeze the gel (cut into small pieces) and every day I take one piece from the freezer and either adde it to a smoothie or just use it as a refresher and let it melt in my mouth.
Recommended Dosage
If you’re as serious about Aloe vera’s properties and how they can benefit our bodies and skins as I am, then you might be interested in making Aloe drink smoothies or gels from the plant or buying the juice from a health food store.
As I mentioned earlier, Aloe vera has different parts and chemicals within it that work in a different way for different people as it works harmoniously for YOUR body with no known harmful side effects.
The recommended dosage according to Alasdair Barcroft in his book “Aloe Vera Nature’s Silent Healer” (highly recommended!!) is to start on smaller dosages and increment over the first couple of weeks to a month.
Start with, let’s say, a teaspoon a day twice a day and work it up over the next couple of weeks to your dosage. Your dosage would depend on whether you want to take the juice simply as a health tonic or if you’re aiming at tackling a specific or more serious problem (digestion, inflammatory condition, etc). An ‘average’ dosage would be a couple of glasses a day (one in the morning on an empty stomach, one in the evening before going to bed).
And remember to keep the drink in the fridge.
My Recommended Brands
All the below brands are highly recommended if you don’t have your own plants at home like I do. Disclaimer: I will make a profit from any purchase you make at no extra cost to you.
