Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera, often called the Miracle Plant, the Silent Healer, the Burn plant or even the Medicine Plant, goes by many names which have survived the 4000 or so years during which this amazing herb has benefited mankind.

A history of healing

George Ebers in 1862 first discovered its antiquity in an ancient Egyptian papyrus, dated 3500 BC, which turned out to be a collection of herbal remedies. Other researchers have since found it was used by both the ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. Greek and Roman physicians such as Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder used it to great effect and legend suggests that Aristotle persuaded Alexander the Great to capture the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean to get its rich supply of aloe to heal his wounded soldiers on return from their successful campaign into Persia in 333 BC. The Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra also rated it highly as a beauty therapy.

Although there are over 200 species of Aloe, there are probably only 4 or 5 with medicinal properties. Of these Aloe Berbadensis Miller (also known as Aloe Linnes and Aloe Vulgaris), is the most potent. It is the only one entitled to be known as Aloe Vera or the true aloe.

Aloe is a succulent, looking rather like a cactus but is in fact a member of the lily family related to onions, garlic and asparagus. When mature the inner gel can be harvested, preserved and bottled to produce a product that is as near to the natural plant juice as we can get.

To benefit from Aloe Vera, the gel can be taken internally for its nutritional anti-inflammatory and immune balancing effect. It can also be combined with other ingredients to produce topical creams and lotions to nourish and improve the quality of the skin.

For a product to work properly, aloe needs to be the principal ingredient. So look for a product with a substantial Aloe Vera content.

Inside the leaf

Aloe Vera Gel contains at least 75 known ingredients, and maybe more, which are yet to be discovered. These ingredients can be divided into the groups shown below.

Vitamins - it contains a wide range, but the most important ones are the antioxidant Vitamins C and E and Beta-Carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A. It is also one of the very few plants in the world to contain Vitamins B12.

Minerals - these include magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium, calcium, sodium, potassium and iron.

Amino Acids - the human body requires 20 amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and Aloe Vera gel provides 19 of them. More importantly, it provides seven of the eight essential amino acids, that cannot be manufactured by the body and which therefore have to be consumed as food.

Sugars - these include the important long chain polysaccharides which act on the immune system to boost its effects.

Enzymes - lipases and proteases which break down food and aid digestion as well as a carbonoxypeptidase that is involved in the inflammatory process.

Plant Sterios - the three main types act as powerful antiinflammatory agents

Saponins - these are soapy substances that exert a powerful anti-mircobial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts such as candida or 'thrush'

Lignin - this woody substance bestows on Aloe Vera its penetrative ability to reach deep into the skin

Anthraquinones - the most important ones being aloin and emodin, but altogether they are strong painkillers, and are acknowledged to posses anti-bacterial and virucidal activity. In their pure form, they are very powerful laxatives.

Salycylic Acid - this aspirin-like compound is anti-inflammatory when taken orally and used topically it helps to break down dead tissue.

Which type of Aloe?

The filleted inner leaf gel is superior to Aloe 'Juices' produced by the whole leaf method because whole leaf products are filtered and often concentrated. This process using a powerful filter may remove ingredients we are not yet even aware of.

In terms of consumer products, the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) allows the term 'Juice' to be used for a liquid containing only 15% certified Aloe Vera. To qualify as 'Gel' the product must contain at least 85% certified Aloe Vera. Even when buying an inner leaf gel look for the Seal of Approval of the International Aloe Science Council.

Why does it work?

It works by providing a rich cocktail of nutritional elements whose combined action and balance produce a more powerful effect together than would be expected from the actions of the individual components. This is because they work as a team, enhancing each other's effect - known as synergism. It also has adaptogenic properties which means it is a substance which increases non-specific resistance of an organism to adverse influences such as infection or stress.

Where does it work?

Aloe Vera, because of its nutritional qualities and anti-oxidant properties, helps firstly to prevent injury to epithelial tissues, and when they are damaged, it promotes its healing.

Antioxidants fight the destructive 'free radicals', the unstable compounds produced by our metabolism and found in environmental pollutants. They are thought to cause various ailments including some cancers as well as contributing towards the ageing process.

An epithelium is an anatomical term defined as follow:- "An epithelium is a layer of cells that covers the body or lines a cavity that connects with it". Our largest epithelium is our skin but also included are the lining of the gut, the bronchial tubes and the genital tract. No wonder that aloe works just as well as damaged skin as it does, say, on an inflamed bowel or in asthma i.e. it works on surfaces and membranes rather than solid organs.

How does it work?

Its natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action combined within its nutritional constituents promote cell growth and therefore healing.

However, it is not only helpful for people with problems as most people taking it report a greater sense of wellbeing - they just feel 'better' or they report feeling calmer and less anxious.

Aloe Vera is not a panacea for all ills but there is no magic about it. It is reported to work primarily in the two areas mentioned previously - epithelial tissue and the immune system. This is supported by a considerable amount of anecdotal evidence but is now being backed up by clinical trials.

Many thousands of people over the centuries have reported benefit for various skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, burns, acne, even stings and bites. They have found relief for bowel disorders such as colitis, diverticulitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other conditions resulting from a disordered immune system such as arthritis, asthma and ME (post viral fatigue syndrome) and LE (lepus) have improved after regular ingestion of Aloe Vera gel.

Aloe Vera therefore has a complementary role to play in the management of various conditions. The positive effects are now being demonstrated in clinical trials, such as in the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

It is very important however that people always seek the advice of their doctor when a diagnosis is in doubt or where a condition does not improve. Self diagnosis can be extremely dangerous as many serious conditions can mimic the more simple ones.

By Dr. Peter Atherton

NB The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be used out of context. Always consult your doctor before use of any referenced product for medicinal purposes.

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