Aloe vera, aloes or aloe vera syn. A. Barbadenis
(Liliaceae), or often called the miracle plant has been
known since the beginning of recorded history as one of
the most beneficial plants with medicinal properties on
the earth. Aloe vera has prickly, grey-green, succulent
leaves that can grow up to 60cm long. The aloe can also
produce a spike of yellow or orange flowers. Aloe Vera is
a succulent plant rather like the cactus but it is
actually part of the lily family also related to the
onion, garlic and asparagus.
It originates from tropical Africa and is native to
eastern and southern Africa, where it grows wild. Although
there are over two hundred species of Aloe Vera, there are
probably only four or five with medicinal properties. Of
these, Aloe Barbadensis Miller (also know as Aloe Linne')
is the most potent and it is really the only true aloe.
When mature, it can be harvested and the gel inside its
leaves can bottled and preserved.
In Africa the plant and its related spices are used as
an antidote to poison arrow wounds. The Greeks and Romans
knew it as a wound healer and one of Pliny's many
recommendations was to rub leaves on 'ulcerated male
genitals'! In the Middle Ages it was very popular as a
purgative and in China, similar uses developed to those in
the West, although only the gel was used. In India the gel
is a highly regarded cooling tonic and in Mexico the
ancient Mayans also knew about the plants medicinal
properties. Aloe vera reached the West Indies in the 16th
century and is widely cultivated there. In the West, the
plant first became popular in the 1950's, when its
ability to heal radiation burns was discovered.
In 1862 a man named George Ebers first discovered its
antiquity in an ancient Egyptian papyrus, dated around
3500 BC, together with a collection of other herbal
remedies.
In Cyprus I've found that the climate is also ideal
for aloe vera to be grown as a pot plant. It needs a bit
of shade, which enables valuable substances to develop
within the plant over the years. It does not like direct
sunshine all day long but it thrives in humidity, which is
ideal for its 'well being'. When in the right
situation aloe vera will then start to produce 'babies',
small rooted plantlets, sometimes several at a time. In
various books and literature on the plant, aloe vera is
usually described as a desert plant/cactus, which can
survive a long time with out water. This maybe true,
however, when it survives under this condition the aloe
starts to consume its own valuable substances to survive
so don't be afraid to water it!
Parts Used - the gel
The plant has two distinct types of medicinal use - the
leaves and the gel. The clear gel found in the leaf is
thick and ideal for home first aid cure for burns, wounds
and sunburn. It is also useful for any dry skin problems,
such as eczema and can be put around the eyes and the
sensitive area on the face. It can be used for treating
fungal infections, especially ringworm.
The leaves
The yellow sap from the base of the leaf when dried is
known as 'bitter aloes' and it is a strong laxative,
effective for chronic stubborn constipation. They
stimulate bile flow and the digestion and the appetite.
However, DO NOT use the bitter yellow juice on the skin
and DO NOT take internally during pregnancy or while you
are breast-feeding. DO NOT take it if suffering form
haemorrhoids or any type of kidney disease.
Research
Extensive research on the healing properties of
the aloe vera plant since the 1930's in the United
States of America and Russia has show that the clear gel
has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, burns and ulcers by
putting a protective coat on the affected area, thus
speeding up the rate of healing. This action is partly due
to the presence of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune
system.
Key constituents
There are quite a few constituents found in the aloe vera
plant, such as anthraquinones, (aloin, aloe-emodin),
resins, tannins, polysaccharides and aloectin B.
Beauty
The aloe vera plant has a long history as a skin
lotion - Cleopatra is said to have attributed her beauty
to it. The Egyptian queen Nefertiti also highly regarded
it as a beauty therapy.
If you have your own aloe vera plant growing outside
you could make your own beauty products. You just need the
gel from the plant; to do this you use the fingers and
thumb of each hand, carefully slice along the length of
the leave and peel back the edges. Collect the gel by
scrapping the inside of the leaf with a blunt edge of a
knife. You must use the gel immediately as it cannot be
saved.
Forever Living Products
Having tried many different Aloe Vera drinks and
products on the market and checked out the ingredients, I
found the best one by far was the Forever Living drink
Aloe Vera 'Gel'(1 litre £16 retail or £11.20 whole
sale) which contains the original water from the plant
(most important) and is naturally stabilised by a patented
process. It contains over 200 different components, 18
Amino Acids, 8 Essential Amino Acids, many vitamins
including B12 and 20 minerals. I have started to drink
50ml of 'Gel' every day after I have brushed my teeth
(you have to brush you teeth because of the bacteria in
your mouth - if you can try and scrape your tongue as
well.) I take it on an empty stomach and avoid food and
drinks for at least half an hour afterwards. Thousands of
people throughout the world have taken this Aloe Vera
drink and have relieved skin conditions such as eczema,
psoriasis, ulcers, burns, acne, even stings and bites.
Others have found for bowl disorders such as colitis,
diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Also
the anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera have helped
arthritic and asthma sufferers.
Aloe Liquid Soap is great for the hands and face and we
even use it in the shower because it is very economical
with its handy pump. It cleans well and it does not dry
out your hands either.
One of the most amazing products is the MPD Multi
Purpose Detergent it cleans everything from the windows,
the dishes, the clothes, the bathrooms including the
toilets, the floors and it is a great stain remover. I now
only use this product and have thrown everything else
away! What is truly amazing is the cost effectiveness of
MPD and that it is free of harmful chemicals.
The deodorant is another must it hasn't got an overpowering smell, it is kind and gentle and does not contain
aluminium. I was horrified to discover the links between
cancer and anti-perspirants/deodorants containing
aluminium. I was even more horrified when I checked the
label of my so called natural deodorant from a very well
know brand, as you can imagine I got rid of them
immediately!
There are so many products that I could mention but
really you have to experience them for your self. Forever
Living Products are not available from shops you have to
buy the product through a distributor or to save 30% of
the retail price you can become a wholesale
buyer/distributor your self.
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