Medicinal and Culinary Herbs > Aloe Vera

The Herb to Nourish and Beautify your skin

Upon application, Aloe Vera deeply penetrates the many layers of the skin. It delivers nutrients and moisture to the newly formed skin cells, which helps prevent the loss of collagen and elastin fibres that age the skin.

This deep and immediate absorption is why Biogenic Aloe Vera is universally acclaimed to be one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin.

It also helps rebalance skin pH, acts as a gentle astringent. firming and toning, as well as protecting the skin against blemishes. It does this by dissolving away dry, dead surface skin cells that clog and dull your complexion and interfere with normal oxygen exchange.

As a moisturiser, Aloe Vera works in two ways. Firstly, through its polysaccharides, it creates a barrier that prevents moisture loss, so the skin remains moist for a longer period of time.

Secondly, it can carry nutrients and moisture through the many layers of the skin down to the dermis, which is the heart of nourishment for the skin. In the dermis, fibroblasts are then stimulated to produce collagen. It is the breakdown, or loss, of collagen that contributes to the visible signs of ageing. Fibroblast cells are responsible for the manufacture of collagen. the protein that supports the skin, keeping it firm and supple. These factors make Aloe Vera excellent for dry and sensitive skin.

For clearer, softer and younger looking skin, Aloe Vera juice or gels can be applied to the face with cotton wool or finger tips after normal cleansing. As it dries it forms an amazingly effective barrier to lock in moisture, while still allowing your skin to breathe normally.

Aloe Vera gels, particularly with added Vitamin E, can be used by those concerned about age spots on the hands and body, and to nourish and rejuvenate the skin on the face and body. Pregnant women may also benefit from the use of Aloe Vera with Vitamin E for stretch marks.

For Digestion
Healthy digestion is the key to good health. The better we are able to digest and assimilate nutrients the more nourishment our cells receive Today's increased pace of life, convenience foods, and the overuse of antibiotics can create an imbalance in gut flora causing fermentation and increased acidity in our digestive tracts. TIii~, in turn, can lead to indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric and duodenal ulcers, inflammation and mild to extreme bowel conditions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (lBS) is the most common disorder of the bowel accounting for more than half the patients referred to a gastroenterologist, and is characterised by symptoms such as abdominal pain, excessive wind, alternating diarrhoea and constipation as well as indigestion. The cause is not fully understood but it is known that women sufferers outnumber men by three to one. Some sufferers have reported that a twice-daily dose of Aloe Vera juice helped relieve their symptoms with the converts believing it is "medicine's best kept secret."

Dr Atherton, a doctor with Britain's National Health Service for many years and a staunch supporter of orthodox medicine said "Last year a patient asked me if 1 had heard of Aloe Vera jucie as a healing agent. I ordered all current research on if and was astonished to find 39 out of 40 research papers were positive". Dr Atherton believes Aloe Vera helps recovery because of its wide range of ingredients. "Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins, it has 9 out of 10 essential amino acids and a wide range of trace minerals".

There is a growing interest from medical professionals world-wide in the use of Aloe Vera juice as a complementary remedy to orthodox medicine in this area.

When taken as a drink, Aloe Vera is a gentle and effective cleanser and detoxifier. It works through the digestive system and it has been reported as having the ability to help reduce over acidity in the stomach, which can reverse symptoms of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A Natural Anti-inflammatory
Aloe Vera has been reported to have remarkable effects as a natural anti-inflammatory, helping to relieve the symptoms of a wide range of conditions including joint stiffness and associated conditions, scaly skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema and various allergies.

A recently published scientific paper makes reference to Aloe Vera having been found helpful in ·' the management of various food allergic symptoms or arthritic like pain". It makes a number of observations concerning problem gut conditions, their relationship to arthritis. and the formation of incomplete breakdown products of the food constituents which then spark off immune-damaging responses and inflammatory conditions.

Many people with stiff joints and associated conditions are continuously amazed at the increased mobility and reduction in joint discomfort they expedience by taking a regular dose of Aloe Vera. It is believed that this is partly due to the body's improved detoxification of the bowel, liver and kidneys, improved digestion and increased del ivery of nutrients to the affected areas.

Sports injuries also respond with positive results to treatment with Aloe Vera. Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Texas, and co-author of 'Healing Winners", S. Stephens recommends and uses Aloe Vera as cold packs for muscle sprains, cramps, blisters, turf burns, minor aches and pains and major injuries.

Aloe Vera treatment is not restricted to humans. A recent study by Cera, Heggers and Hegstrom refers to the natural anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera, demonstrating that topical use Of Aloe Vera gel to dogs with certain forms of dermatitis resulted in significant improvement.

Nutritional profile
Aloe Vera is a veritable storehouse of nutritional compounds which work together to give its powerful healing properties.

Contains The:

• Vitamins - A. Bl. B2. B3, B6, B12. C. E. Folic acid and Choline
   
• Minerals - Calcium, Phosphorus. Potassium, Iron, Sodium, Magnesium, Manganese. Copper. Chromium and  Zinc.
   
• Mucopolysaccharides and Polysaccharides - Cellulose Gincose Mannose, Aldonentose, Hamnose, Acemannan.
   

• Essential Amino Acids - Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine. Phenylalanine, Threonine, Valirie.
  
• Secondary Amino Acids - Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Alanine, Arginine. Cystine, Glycine. Histidlue, Hydroxyproline, Praline, Serine, Tytosin.
  
• Enzymes - Phosphatase, Amylase. Lipase, Catalase, Creatine, phosphokinase. Nucleotidase, Cellulase, Alkaline phosphatase, Proteolytase.
  
• Fatty Acids - All unsaturated fatty adds and Caprylic acid.
  

• Other Nutrients - Lignin. Saponins, Anthraquinones.

1. Acne, aching joints and muscles, asthma, athlete's foot, abscesses, arthritis, allergy rashes, age spots, acid indigestion.
2. Brown skin spots, burns, boils, blood pressure, bruising, bad breath, bleeding, bowel problems and conditions, blisters, bronchitis.
3. Cancer treatment (for radiation effects of radiotherapy), cuts and wounds,  colon cleansing, constipation, Chron's disease, chapping, cataracts, cradle cap, cystitis, candida albicans, circulation, colitis, colds.
4. Digestive problems, diarrhoea, dermatitis, dandruff, detoxification, duodenal ulcer, denture sores, depression.
5. Eye and ear problems (inflammation and infection), eczema, energy loss.
6. Gum disease, bleeding gums
7. Heat rash, haemorrhoids, headache, herpes.
8. Infection, inflammation, itching, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion,  insomnia, influenza, insect bites.
9. Jaundice
10. Kidney ailments
11. Liver ailments, laryngitis
12. Myalgic encephalitis (M.E.) mouth ulcers, muscle cramps
13. Nasal congestion, nutrition, nappy rash, cracked nipples, nausea.
14. Operations, (post-operative recover), oral (mouth) disorders
15. Psoriasis, prickly heat, pimples, peptic ulcer, pain relief.
16. Radiation burns, razor burn, rheumatism, rashes
17. Scar removal, scalp problems, sinusitis, sore throat, scalding, stomach disorders, sciatica, strains, sprains, skin problems, stress, shingles, stings, styes, sunburn, sores of all kinds.
18. Tonsillitis, thrush, teething, tennis elbow
19. Ulcers (all kinds)
20. Varicose veins, veterinary treatments, venereal sores
21. Warts, wind chapping

Key References;
Aloe Vera, Natures Soothing Healer by Dianne Gage
Aloe Vera the New Millennium The Future of Wellness in the 21st Century By Bill C. Coats & Robert Ahola
Understanding Aloe Vera By Peter Atherton
Aloe Vera Handbook By Peter Atherton
Aloe Vera, The natural Healer by Paul Hornsey-Pennell
Aloe Vera, Natures Legendary healer by Alasdair Barcroft
Health and Medical Use of  Aloe Vera, by Lawrence C. Plaskett
Effects of Orally Consumed Aloe Vera Juice on Gastrointestinal Function in Normal Humans by  Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.
Miscellaneous Scientific Papers from Fuinata Health University Japan and The University of Texas Medical SChool.