The Benefits of Aloe Vera

Sometimes dubbed as the “First Aid” plant because of the soothing gel inside the thick, succulent leaves, aloe vera has incredible, natural, skin care properties. Aloe vera is commonly used on sunburns, cuts, or even consumed. The 2011 2nd edition of Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects cites the extraordinarily long use of aloe vera for its therapeutic benefits, both internal and external. Its use extends as far back as biblical times and was mentioned in the New Testament as an herb for embalming.

Aloe Vera’s Active Ingredients
Aloe vera could be considered a superfood, the leaf is filled with a gel containing at least 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, and 200 active enzymes. These compounds have tremendous benefit and potential in external and internal applications.
Skin Care Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been anecdotally cited for quite some time for a topical burn or cut remedy. Multiple studies have examined aloe vera as an agent to speeds recovery of skin wounds and found it to be beneficial, supporting traditional folk use of aloe vera to stimulate cellular rejuvenation.

Additionally, The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology at the University in Belgrade, Serbia, published research in 2011 noting that gel from aloe is believed to promote and assist the growth of new cells.

Additional Benefits of Aloe Vera

1. Studies show aloe vera gel is effective at reducing the pain of canker sores and helps them to go away faster.
   

2. With regard to interaction with ulcers, aloe vera has a cytoprotective action, meaning it helps to increase stomach mucosal production. It is this trait that lead to the Sinhgad College of Pharmacy including it in the development of a medication for ulcers. 

3.  Has hypoglycemic activity and anti-obesity effects.

4.  Aloe vera gel has frequently been cited for its powerful antioxidant effect.

5. As may be expected, the beneficial components, including antioxidants, amino acids, and enzymes, increase as plant size increases.

6. Clinical studies at the Texas Children’s Hospital show that aloe vera offers a strategy to alleviate certain glucose related ailments associated with pre diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

7. Oddly enough, aloe vera may provide relief to persons experiencing symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.  

8. May have expanded pharmaceutical applications as a drug absorption enhancing agents in certain drug delivery systems.

9. Iran’s Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences discovered that because of aloe vera’s ability to help with wounds, provide mucous membrane protection, and its antioxidant characteristics, it was an effective agent for balancing oral candidiasis in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy.

Choosing the Best Aloe Vera Products
Purchasing an aloe vera product should be done with the same scrutiny you’d use when purchasing any supplement. Quality and purity should be your top priorities. If you’re buying aloe vera juice, organic is an absolute must. Unpasteurized is also mandatory to ensure enzymatic integrity. It’s a personal preference, but I also recommend a concentrated aloe vera juice. Many people find it easier to consume a more potently powerful small serving, as either a straight shot or juice/smoothie additive. Read and understand the labels to ensure you’re purchasing a quality product that’s both effective and pure.

A better idea is to grow your own aloe vera plant (or plants!). Aloe vera is a hearty succulent that is easy to grow as well as attractive. Nurturing your own plant is a great way to save money, have the freshest possible aloe vera gel on demand, and guarantee it’s additive free!


by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM Published on December 4, 2012, Last Updated on September 22, 2015
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com