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Vera Aloe Vera (barbadensis miller) is one species of the genus Aloe. The genus Aloe contains about four hundred species of flowering, succulent plants. Despite looking like a cactus, the Aloe Vera is in fact a member of the Lily family (Liliaceae), which includes garlic. The name Aloe was derived from the Arabic alloeh meaning "bitter" because of the bitter gel in the leaves.  Photo by Fir0002 Aloe Vera is native to Africa and has been used by used by many different cultures including Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians and Spaniards for millennia. In 1500 B.C. Egyptians recorded use of the plant for treating burns, infections and parasites. The earliest record of Aloe Vera is on a Sumerian tablet dating from 2100 BC. Aloe Vera extract, juice and gel Aloe Vera extract is made by pulverizing the whole leaves of the plant, the juice is made from the inner leaf. Gel is the leaf pulp, a clear jelly-like material from the tissue that makes up the inner portion of the leaves. Aloe Vera is one of the most vitamin and mineral packed nutrition drinks around. Aloe Vera contains about 96% water, 18 amino acids, vitamins including vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin B-6, choline, essential oil, calcium, chlorine, sodium, potassium, manganese, monosaccharides and polysaccharides including uronic acid, mannose and glucose. Aloe Vera also contains aloin (barbaloin), ethereal oil, isobarbaloin, emoding lucosides of d-Arabinose, emodin, resitannol, ester of cinnamic acid and cinnamic acid. Acemannan is a major carbohydrate fraction of Aloe Vera gel, has been known to have antiviral and antitumoral activities in vivo through activation of immune responses. Cheongju 361-763, South Korea. Aloin (barbaloin) is an unwanted, harsh, irritant, bitter tasting, laxative contained in the yellow sap of Aloe, which is removed during processing. Aloin has strong laxative properties. Cinnamic acid has the formula C6H5CHCHCOOH and is an odorless white crystalline acid. It has a floral aroma, is found in the essential oil of cinnamon and in shea butter. Cinnamic acid is used in flavours, synthetic indigo, pharmaceuticals, and to manufacture esters for the perfume industry. Emodin is an orange crystalline compound, C14H4O2(OH)3CH3, obtained from rhubarb and other plants and used as a laxative. Emodin belongs to a family of compounds called anthraquinones, which have shown anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Mannose is a monosaccharide, C6H12O6. The word mannose is from Manna, the food the Israelites ate in the desert in the book of Exodus. D-mannose, this form is used as a remedy for urinary tract infections. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, glucose C6(H2O)6 is a monosaccharide. The Health Benefits Aloe Vera is a rather amazing plant. My great aunt did not know about acemannan but she did know about Aloe's ability to heal. She always said, "If it burns, stings, itches, hurts, or you want it to look like a baby's skin put the magic jelly on it". She called it, "the magic jelly" because fresh Aloe Vera gel heals burns like magic. The gel has been used topically for thousands of years throughout the world to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and numerous other dermatologic conditions. There are very few places where it has not been used. The Benefits to Skin Aloe Vera is well known as the supreme skin care regimen. It can aid in keeping the skin supple, and is used in the control of acne and eczema. It has a moisturizing effect and is a common remedy for sunburn and skin irritation due to insect bites and allergies. Aloe's healing power comes from increasing the availability of oxygen and strengthen the skin. My advice is to pamper your skin with a little fresh gel everyday. Keep a few plants healthy and you will always have a steady supply. Cut a leaf in half and smooth it on your skin. Intestinal Health Many traditional liquid health treatments are made from a base of Aloe Vera juice with other herbs included. Drinking the juice and gel is widely endorsed by herbalist for soothing digestive tract irritations and general gastrointestinal health. It is also used to alkalize the digestive juices to prevent over acidity. It is said to cleanse the digestive tract and exerte a soothing, balancing effect. The dried latex from the inner lining of the leaf can be taken orally as a laxative. Careful with this one, I tried it, it works. Drink lots of water and do not go far from the house. Gastrointestinal issues can be serious, not something you want to mess around with. Check with your doctor before you do anything. It is important to get a diagnoses.  Photo by Fir0002 Suggestions for Use When you are stressed and need a herb bath put a leaf in the freezer for 30 minutes to get it cold. When taking a hot herb steam bath cut it in half and rub it on your face to cool you down. It soothes the skin on contact. Add the juice or jell to orange or grape juice, an organic banana and a little ice and blend in a blender. This is a good drink to cool you down and sooth the plumming. If your stress is casing you digestive trouble add a spoon of Slippery Elm to the blend. If you have intestinal pain or menstrual troubles make a Yarrow tea and add this to the mixture. To make a salve, remove the thin outer skin and blind the leaves in a blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder to each cup add a tablespoon of honey to help preserve. It is best to use fresh but you can store it in your refrigerator for a couple weeks. This salve is great for skin. For stess, after the salve has been in the refrigerator and having cooled use it on your face during a hot bath or if you do not feel like a hot bath but want to cool down rub it on your feet. Even better get someone you love to rub it on your feet.  Photo by Fir0002 Growing Aloe Vera Light Most Aloe species make excellent house plants when they are given enough light. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade. Potted Aloes benefit from spending the summer outdoors. Because Aloe plants consist of mostly water, they are extremely sensitive to frost. Soil The soil should be sandy, moderately fertile, and drain well. Aloes have roots that are shallow and spread so when it is time to repot them pick a wide pot, they are better than deep ones. Fertilize yearly, in the spring with a half strength, bloom type fertilizer (10-40-10). Do not over fertilize. New plants may also be grown from seed or propagated from the offsets around the base of mature plants. Water Established plants will survive a drought quite well. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before giving the plant a cup or two of water. Classification of Aloe Vera Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Lilliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Asphodelaceae Genus: Aloe Species: A. vera The genus Aloe contains about four hundred species of mainly African plants, having the characteristics of cactus, rosettes of succulent, very thick fleshy leaves and long stalks bearing yellow, orange, or red tubular flowers. A succulent stores large quantities of water within its leaves and root system. They range in size from little one inch miniatures to massive plant colonies of hundreds of two foot diameter plants. Of all the species of Aloe, only four have nutritional value . Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe Vera species) is very much the best of the four. Other species of the Aloe genus: Aloe aageodonta, Aloe abyssicola, Aloe abyssinica, Aloe aculeata, Aloe acutissima, Aloe adigratana, Aloe affinis, Aloe africana, Aloe ahmarensis, Aloe albida, Aloe albiflora, Aloe albovestita, Aloe alfredii, Aloe alooides, Aloe ambigens, Aloe amicorum, Aloe ammophila, Aloe amudatensis, Aloe andongensis, Aloe andringritrensis, Aloe angiensis, Aloe angolensis, Aloe ankoberensis, Aloe antandroi, Aloe archeri, Aloe arenicola, Aloe argenticauda, Aloe asperifolia, Aloe audhalica, Aloe ausana, Aloe babatiensis, Aloe bakeri, Aloe ballii, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe barbertoniae, Aloe bargalensis, Aloe bella, Aloe bellatula, Aloe betsileensis, Aloe bicomitum, Aloe boehmii, Aloe boiteaui, Aloe boscawenii, Aloe bowiea, Aloe boylei, Aloe brachystachys, Aloe branddraaiensis, Aloe brandhamii, Aloe breviscapa, Aloe broomii, Aloe brunneostriata, Aloe buchananii, Aloe buchlohii, Aloe buettneri, Aloe buhrii, Aloe bukobana, Aloe bulbicaulis, Aloe bulbilifera, Aloe bullockii, Aloe burgersfortensis, Aloe bussei, Aloe calcairophila, Aloe calidophila, Aloe cameronii, Aloe camperi, Aloe canarina, Aloe candelabrum, Aloe cannellii, Aloe capitata, Aloe caricina, Aloe castellorum, Aloe catengiana, Aloe chabaudii, Aloe cheranganiensis, Aloe chlorantha, Aloe chortolirioides, Aloe christianii, Aloe chrysostachys, Aloe citrina, Aloe classenii, Aloe claviflora, Aloe commixta, Aloe compacta, Aloe compressa, Aloe compressa var. rugosquamosa, Aloe comptonii, Aloe confusa, Aloe congdonii, Aloe congolensis, Aloe conifera, Aloe constricta, Aloe cooperi, Aloe corallina, Aloe crassipes, Aloe cremersii, Aloe cremnophila, Aloe cryptoflora, Aloe cryptopoda, Aloe dabenorisana, Aloe davyana, Aloe dawei, Aloe debrana, Aloe decaryi, Aloe decorsei, Aloe decurva, Aloe decurvidens, Aloe defalcata, Aloe delphinensis, Aloe deltoideodonta, Aloe descoingsii, Aloe deserti, Aloe dewetii, Aloe dewinteri, Aloe dhalensis, Aloe dhufarensis, Aloe dichotoma, Aloe dispar, Aloe divaricata, Aloe doei, Aloe dolomitica, Aloe dominella, Aloe dorothea, Aloe duckeri, Aloe dumetorum, Aloe dyeri, Aloe ecklonis, Aloe elata, Aloe elegans, Aloe elgonica, Aloe ellenbeckii, Aloe eminens, Aloe enotata, Aloe eremophila, Aloe erensii, Aloe ericetorum, Aloe erinacea, Aloe eru, Aloe erythrophylla, Aloe esculenta, Aloe falcata, Aloe fibrosa, Aloe fievetii, Aloe fleurentinorum, Aloe flexilifolia, Aloe forbesii, Aloe fosteri, Aloe fouriei, Aloe fragilis, Aloe framesii, Aloe francombei, Aloe fulleri, Aloe gariepensis Aloe gerstneri, Aloe gigas, Aloe gilbertii, Aloe gillilandii, Aloe glabrescens, Aloe globuligemma, Aloe gloveri, Aloe gossweileri, Aloe gradicaulis, Aloe graciflora, Aloe gracilis, Aloe graminifolia, Aloe grandidentata, Aloe grata, Aloe greatheadii, Aloe greatheadii davyana Aloe greenii, Aloe greenwayi, Aloe grisea, Aloe guerrai, Aloe guillaumetii, Aloe haemanthifolia, Aloe hardyi, Aloe harlana, Aloe harmsii, Aloe haworthioides, Aloe haworthioides albiflora, Aloe helenae, Aloe heliderana, Aloe hemmingii, Aloe hendrickxii, Aloe hereroensis, Aloe hildebrandtii, Aloe hlangapies, Aloe howmanii, Aloe humbertii, Aloe ibitiensis, Aloe imalotensis, Aloe immaculata, Aloe inamara, Aloe inconspicua, Aloe inermis, Aloe integra, Aloe intermedia, Aloe inyangensis, Aloe isaloensis, Aloe itremensis, Aloe jacksonii, Aloe jucunda, Aloe juvenna, Aloe karasbergensis, Aloe keayi, Aloe kedongensis, Aloe keithii, Aloe ketabrowniorum, Aloe kilifiensis, Aloe kirkii, Aloe kniphofioides, Aloe komaggasensis, Aloe komatiensis, Aloe krapohliana, Aloe krausii, Aloe kulalensis, Aloe labworana, Aloe laeta, Aloe lateritia graminicola, Aloe lastii, Aloe lateritia, Aloe lateritia graminicola, Aloe latifolia, Aloe lavranosii, Aloe leachii, Aloe leandrii, Aloe leedalii, Aloe lensayuensis, Aloe lepida, Aloe leptophylla, Aloe leptosyphon, Aloe lettyae, Aloe leucantha, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe lineata, Aloe littoralis, Aloe longibracteata, Aloe luapulana, Aloe lutescens, Aloe macleayi, Aloe macloughinii, Aloe macrantha, Aloe macrocarpa, Aloe macroclada, Aloe macrosiphon, Aloe maculata, Aloe madecassa, Aloe marlothii, Aloe marsabitensis, Aloe massawana, Aloe mawii, Aloe mayottensis, Aloe medishiana, Aloe megalacantha, Aloe melanacantha, Aloe menachensis, Aloe mendesii, Aloe menyhartii, Aloe meruana, Aloe metallica, Aloe meyeri, Aloe microcantha, Aloe microdonta, Aloe microstigma, Aloe millotii, Aloe milne-redheadii, Aloe minima, Aloe modesta, Aloe moledarana, Aloe monotropa, Aloe monteiroi, Aloe monticola, Aloe morijensis, Aloe morogoroensis, Aloe mubendiensis, Aloe mudenensis, Aloe multicolor, Aloe munchii, Aloe murina, Aloe musapana, Aloe mutabilis, Aloe mutans, Aloe myriacantha, Aloe mzinbana, Aloe namibensis, Aloe ngobitensis, Aloe ngongensis, Aloe niebuhriana, Aloe nubigena, Aloe nuttii, Aloe nyeriensis, Aloe obscura, Aloe officinalis, Aloe ortholopha, Aloe otallensis, Aloe pachygaster, Aloe palmiformis, Aloe parellifolia, Aloe parvibracteata, Aloe parvidens, Aloe parviflora, Aloe parvula, Aloe patersonii, Aloe pearsonii, Aloe peckii, Aloe peglerae, Aloe pendens, Aloe penduliflora, Aloe percrassa, Aloe perfoliata, Aloe perrieri, Aloe petricola, Aloe petrophila, Aloe peyrierasii, Aloe pirottae, Aloe plowesii, Aloe pluridens, Aloe pole-evansii, Aloe powysiorum, Aloe pretoriensis, Aloe princeae, Aloe x principis, Aloe prinslooi, Aloe procera, Aloe pruinosa, Aloe pubescens, Aloe purpurascens, Aloe pustuligemma, Aloe rabaiensis, Aloe rauhii, Aloe reitzii, Aloe retrospiciens, Aloe reynoldsii, Aloe rhodesiana, Aloe richardiae, Aloe richtersveldensis, Aloe rigens, Aloe rivae, Aloe rivieri, Aloe rubriflora, Aloe rubroviolacea, Aloe rugosifolia, Aloe runcinata, Aloe rupestris, Aloe rupicola, Aloe ruspoliana, Aloe sabaea, Aloe salm-dyckiana, Aloe saundersdiae, Aloe scabrifolia, Aloe schelpei, Aloe schliebenii, Aloe schoellerii, Aloe schomeri, Aloe schweinfurthii, Aloe scobinifolia, Aloe scorpioides, Aloe secundiflora, Aloe sereti, Aloe serriyensis, Aloe sessilifora, Aloe sessiliflora vryheidensis, Aloe sheilae, Aloe silicola, Aloe simii, Aloe sinana, Aloe sinkatana, Aloe sladeniana, Aloe somaliensis, Aloe somaliensis marmorata, Aloe somliensis somaliensis, Aloe soutpansbergensis, Aloe spicata, Aloe splendens, Aloe squarrosa, Aloe steudneri, Aloe striatula, Aloe stuhlmannii, Aloe suarezensis, Aloe subacutissima, Aloe succotrina, Aloe suffulta, Aloe suprafioliata, Aloe suzannae, Aloe swynnertonii, Aloe tenuior, Aloe thompsoniae, Aloe thorncroftii, Aloe thraskii, Aloe tidmarshii, Aloe tomentosa, Aloe tororoana, Aloe torrei, Aloe trachyticola, Aloe transvaalensis, Aloe trigonantha, Aloe trothae, Aloe tugenensis, Aloe turkanensis, Aloe tweediae, Aloe ukambensis, Aloe umbellata, Aloe umfuloziensis, Aloe vacillans, Aloe vallaris, Aloe vanbalenii, Aloe vandermerwei, Aloe vaombe, Aloe vaotsanda, Aloe venenosa, Aloe venusta, Aloe Vera, Aloe verdoorniae, Aloe verecunda, Aloe verrucosospinosa, Aloe versicolor, Aloe veseyi, Aloe viguieri, Aloe viridiflora, Aloe vituensis, Aloe vogtsii, Aloe volkensii, Aloe vossii, Aloe vryheidensis, Aloe vulgaris, Aloe whitcombei, Aloe wickensii, Aloe wildii, Aloe wilsonii, Aloe wollastonii, Aloe woolliana, Aloe wrefordii, Aloe yavellana, Aloe yemenica,  Photo by Fir0002 Identification of five phytosterols from Aloe Vera gel as anti-diabetic compounds. Findings suggest that Aloe Vera gel and phytosterols derived from Aloe Vera gel have a long-term blood glucose level control effect and would be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Jul;29(7):1418-22. Determination of aloenin, barbaloin and isobarbaloin in aloe species by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 2001 Mar 5;752(1):91-7. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Volume 19 Issue 7 Page 739 - April 2004 Conclusion: Oral Aloe Vera taken for 4 weeks produced a clinical response more often than placebo; it also reduced the histological disease activity and appeared to be safe. Further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Aloe Vera gel in inflammatory bowel disease is needed. By Harvey Robinson, longtime herb grower and user. Webmaster of Eatmoreherbs.com and Yearstoyourhealth.com . Nothing in this essay is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Aloe Vera has not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of any disease. | |
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