Aloe Vera
by
Toby Balter
Aloe Vera called Nature's
Miracle has been associated with myth, magic, and medicine since
pre-biblical times. All over the world today, Aloe Vera is a common
household plant. It is one of the most talked about, yet most
misunderstood plants in history.
Most botanists agree that
the plant originated in the warm, dry, climate of Africa. According to
African folk lore, many tribes required everybody in the village to bathe
in an infusion of Aloe in case of an epidemic of colds. Legends state that
the Pharaoh, and the royal family of Egypt, kept Aloe as a palace plant,
assigning it a very high status.
The Aloe Vera plant
produces at least 6 antiseptic agents: lupeol, salicylic acid, urea
nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenol, and sulphur. All of these substances
are recognized as antiseptics because they exhibit antimicrobial activity.
Aloe has been used to eliminate many internal and external infections,
wounds, and ulcers. Lupeol, salicylic acid, and magnesium are very
effective analgesics. This explains why Aloe is effective in alleviating
pain.
A 1950 Russian study cites
the presence of cinnamonic acid and salicylic acid in Aloe, two substances
known as antimicrobial and antiinflammatory. In 1978, other studies found
many other anti-inflammatory agents in Aloe.
In 1982, several studies
compared Aloe to Prednisolone and Indomethacin (common antiinflammatory
drugs) and were found to be as effective as the drugs without the
long-term toxicity and side effects. This also explains why Aloe is
effective treatment for arthritis, colitis, ulcers, burns, cuts,
abrasions, and many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system. Aloe
juice has also been effective in allergic reactions, acid indigestion, and
in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
Other properties of Aloe
Vera:
-
natural cleanser;
-
detoxifier;
-
blood alkalinizer;
-
penetrates to 7
layers of tissue;
-
anesthetizes tissue, relieving joint and muscle pain;
-
dilates capillaries, increasing circulation;
-
breaks down and digests dead
tissue;
-
enhances normal cell growth and hastens healing;
-
moisturizes
tissue;
-
antipruritic, stops itching;
-
antibacterial and antibiotic;
-
antifungal, helps control Candida;
-
anti-inflammatory; antiyretic, reduces
heat of sores;
-
eliminates excessive water from tissue;
-
reduces or
eliminates scarring;
-
regenerates hair follicles and heals seborrhea;
-
aids
digestion;
-
settles nerves;
-
calms the nervous system;
-
virucidal when in
contact for long periods;
-
treats bleeding gums, root canal;
-
periodontitis,
promotes healthy gum tissue;
-
treats many skin disorders in animals as well
as feline leukemia;
-
normalizes metabolism and regulates blood sugar;
-
boosts the immune system;
-
reduces food allergies;
-
cleanses the lymphatic
system and intestinal walls;
-
enables better assimilation, absorption and
elimination;
-
boosts T-cell production;
-
nutritional: provides minerals,
vitamins, and enzymes.
It is important to
remember that the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents are found in
the sap and the rind of the plant, not in the gel. The basic nutrients and
other agents are widely dispersed throughout the Aloe plant meaning the
sap, the gel, and the rind -- about 98% water is confined to the gel. This
knowledge should help dispel widely held myths that the gel is totally
responsible for the healing abilities of Aloe Vera.
Research has shown that
Aloe Vera works without toxic or allergic effects because its nutrient and
water content act as buffers. Therefore, the theory of synergistic
relationship (all chemical and physical components of the plant work
together to add up to a greater benefit than the sum total of each
individual item) is one which is supportable by both history and science.
For info or to order the book, "Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements"
Aloe Vera
by
Toby Balter
Aloe Vera called Nature's
Miracle has been associated with myth, magic, and medicine since
pre-biblical times. All over the world today, Aloe Vera is a common
household plant. It is one of the most talked about, yet most
misunderstood plants in history.
Most botanists agree that
the plant originated in the warm, dry, climate of Africa. According to
African folk lore, many tribes required everybody in the village to bathe
in an infusion of Aloe in case of an epidemic of colds. Legends state that
the Pharaoh, and the royal family of Egypt, kept Aloe as a palace plant,
assigning it a very high status.
The Aloe Vera plant
produces at least 6 antiseptic agents: lupeol, salicylic acid, urea
nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenol, and sulphur. All of these substances
are recognized as antiseptics because they exhibit antimicrobial activity.
Aloe has been used to eliminate many internal and external infections,
wounds, and ulcers. Lupeol, salicylic acid, and magnesium are very
effective analgesics. This explains why Aloe is effective in alleviating
pain.
A 1950 Russian study cites
the presence of cinnamonic acid and salicylic acid in Aloe, two substances
known as antimicrobial and antiinflammatory. In 1978, other studies found
many other anti-inflammatory agents in Aloe.
In 1982, several studies
compared Aloe to Prednisolone and Indomethacin (common antiinflammatory
drugs) and were found to be as effective as the drugs without the
long-term toxicity and side effects. This also explains why Aloe is
effective treatment for arthritis, colitis, ulcers, burns, cuts,
abrasions, and many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system. Aloe
juice has also been effective in allergic reactions, acid indigestion, and
in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
Other properties of Aloe
Vera:
-
natural cleanser;
-
detoxifier;
-
blood alkalinizer;
-
penetrates to 7
layers of tissue;
-
anesthetizes tissue, relieving joint and muscle pain;
-
dilates capillaries, increasing circulation;
-
breaks down and digests dead
tissue;
-
enhances normal cell growth and hastens healing;
-
moisturizes
tissue;
-
antipruritic, stops itching;
-
antibacterial and antibiotic;
-
antifungal, helps control Candida;
-
anti-inflammatory; antiyretic, reduces
heat of sores;
-
eliminates excessive water from tissue;
-
reduces or
eliminates scarring;
-
regenerates hair follicles and heals seborrhea;
-
aids
digestion;
-
settles nerves;
-
calms the nervous system;
-
virucidal when in
contact for long periods;
-
treats bleeding gums, root canal;
-
periodontitis,
promotes healthy gum tissue;
-
treats many skin disorders in animals as well
as feline leukemia;
-
normalizes metabolism and regulates blood sugar;
-
boosts the immune system;
-
reduces food allergies;
-
cleanses the lymphatic
system and intestinal walls;
-
enables better assimilation, absorption and
elimination;
-
boosts T-cell production;
-
nutritional: provides minerals,
vitamins, and enzymes.
It is important to
remember that the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents are found in
the sap and the rind of the plant, not in the gel. The basic nutrients and
other agents are widely dispersed throughout the Aloe plant meaning the
sap, the gel, and the rind -- about 98% water is confined to the gel. This
knowledge should help dispel widely held myths that the gel is totally
responsible for the healing abilities of Aloe Vera.
Research has shown that
Aloe Vera works without toxic or allergic effects because its nutrient and
water content act as buffers. Therefore, the theory of synergistic
relationship (all chemical and physical components of the plant work
together to add up to a greater benefit than the sum total of each
individual item) is one which is supportable by both history and science.
For info or to order the book, "Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements"
by Michael T. Murray.
About the
Author
Information
researched by Toby Balter, L.M.T., M.Ed.
by Michael T. Murray.
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