Aloe Vera - Myth or Miracle

What Is Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant from the lily family with a variety of health benefits. Aloe vera has big fleshy leaves that contain a gel that can be used as a soothing agent to treat a variety of issues. Infact aloe vera has been in use as a medicinal herb as far back as ancient Egypt. Aloe vera grows wild in Africa but is now commercially grown in Australia, Japan, US and many other places.

Scientists have discovered that aloe vera gel contains a substance that can act as a soothing agent and contains natural anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful in treating pain and reducing swelling. Aloe vera can also speed external wound healing by dilating the capillaries and allowing more blood to get to the injury site. In addition to all this, some studies have shown that aloe vera has some anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is particularly helpful in speeding the healing of damaged skin, but aloe vera has many other health benefits:

• it may aid in the healing of burns
• can help relieve the discomfort of sunburn
• can speed the healing of minor surface skin wounds
• it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of dandruff
• has been used to treat psoriasis
• has been used to treat genital herpes

It has also been used in the treatment of mouth ulcers and to treat the skin irritation associated with radiation therapy (however only minor research has been done, so there is not much evidence to support this). Aloe vera has also been known to help with treating frostbite by increasing blood circulation to the affected area.

There is some evidence to suggest that taken internally, aloe vera can be used to treat IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and can help in the healing of stomach ulcers. There is some preliminary research going on as to the benefits of aloe vera as an immune-support agent for people with AIDS, it’s efficacy in the treatment of leukemia and other types of cancer, as well as it’s effectiveness in treating asthma and diabetes (however, research into these areas is very preliminary and no concrete evidence has yet been found one way or another).

Aloe Vera Side Effects And Contraindications

Topical aloe vera (applied to skin), is usually very safe to use. There have been some cases reported of people getting minor skin irritation when applying aloe vera, this cleared up as soon as they discontinued use.

You should not apply aloe vera to surgical wounds as it has been shown to increase the healing time significantly. Aloe vera has been known to interact with herbs that have similar properties as it does. As well as that aloe vera (taken internally) may interact with the following medications:

• blood sugar medications
• diuretics
• laxatives
• some heart medications
• some oral and topical corticosteroids
• some HIV medications

Aloe vera should not be taken internally by people with a history of diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and arrhythmia.

Aloe vera can sometimes be confused with yellow aloe latex. Yellow aloe latex is sold as a laxative and can cause intestinal cramping and diarrhea, in large doses it has been known to cause gastrointestinal bleeding as well as damage the heart and kidneys. Aloe latex is not the same as aloe vera and should not be treated as such!

Sometimes aloe vera juice can contain traces of aloe latex due to poor processing. You should stop drinking the juice if you get intestinal cramping, diarrhea or loose stools.

Aloe vera should not be taking internally by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  If you have a specific medical condition, remember to always consult your doctor before starting any new supplementation.

Supplementation

Aloe vera is available in a variety of forms for internal or topical use:

• cream
• capsule
• pill
• fresh herb
• fresh gel
• dried herb
• spray
• juice

When used externally, you should simply apply aloe vera cream/gel to the area affected and reapply when needed. Fresh gel, is the most potent form, however cream or ointment is a good substitute when fresh plant is not available.

For internal use you should follow the instructions on the product, unless given specific instructions by a qualified medical professional. Usually take aloe vera juice is taken between meals. Be careful not to confuse aloe vera juice with, yellow aloe extract!

To treat sunburn, you can add a cup of aloe vera juice to a warm bath and soak the affected areas, this should help soothe and speed healing.

Final Thoughts

Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years and has a variety of well documented medicinal properties. Like most herbs, the research into it’s medicinal properties is sketchy in parts, however empirical evidence would suggest that can certainly be helpful in treating a number of conditions. Aloe vera is usually safe to use and if you follow the manufacturers instructions and consult with your doctor when necessary, you should have no trouble.