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Aloe Vera has a myriad of benefits. It has been used for centuries as a cosmetic means to beauty, but it also heals wounds in the mouth, burns both radiation, (thermal) and skin burns. It gets rid of plaque on teeth.
Aloe has antiseptic properties, anti-tumor effects, a laxative, a moisturizer, treats fungal diseases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials have been done, and many others are currently underway. The case reports and anecdotal evidence supports all the cosmetic claims and the health benefits. Aloe is a short plant with serrated edges on the leaves. The leaves are triangular, green and succulent. The flowers are tubular and yellow.
Each leaf has three parts: An aloe leaf contains a thick outer layer which serves as the rind and protects the leaf from the environmental factors. It also has a latex layer with a bitter sap that is yellow. This layer acts as the laxative. According to researchers, it has glycosides and anthraquinones. The third part is a clear gel-like liquid with 99% water and vitamins, amino acids, sterols, lipids and glucomannans (sugars).
Aloe Vera contains sugars such as fructose and glucomannans and a glycoprotein, aprogen, with anti-allergenic properties and C-glucosyl Chromone which is an anti-inflammatory compound. Aloe Vera is an antioxidant because it contains minerals that enable the proper functioning of various enzymes in metabolic pathways. Some minerals are antioxidants such as copper, selenium, and zinc which are all found in Aloe Vera.
Aloe also contains vitamin A, C, and E, which are antioxidants and help to keep the skin looking young by neutralizing free radicals. Anthraquinones act as laxatives. Aloe also has analgesic properties. Aloe is rich in bradykinase enzyme, which reduces inflammation. The presence of gibberellins and auxins hormones in Aloe Vera promote anti-inflammation and enhance wound healing processes. Aloe contains a chemical called saponin that has antimicrobial properties.
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ALOE VERA HAS BEEN proven to possess the following qualities. Aloe Vera promotes collagen synthesis which covers up wounds when the glucomannans and the gibberellin hormone interact with the body’s growth hormone. Aloe contains salicylic acid, sulfur, Lupeol and other chemicals that have inhibitory properties on microbes. It stimulates the immune system, and the anthraquinones present inactivates some enveloped viruses.
Aloe enhances the production of fibroblasts which in turn produce elastin and collagen fibers which reduce wrinkling and keeps the skin firm and elastic creating the desired youthful look. Aloe has Anthraquinones that increase intestinal peristalsis, enables mucous secretions and increases the water content in the intestines. The isolation of the anti-inflammatory compound, C- glucosyl Chromone is evidence to the anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe. Aloe Vera also inhibits the production of Arachidonic acid which is responsible for inflammation.
Aloe Vera gel is reported to protect the skin against radiation damage caused by UV rays and Gamma rays to the skin. Aloe Vera stimulates a chemical process that initiates an immune system attack on tumor cells.
Aloe Vera is hailed as a chief herb due to the evidence as mentioned earlier- based health benefits. It is a trusted herbal medication since it produces results over a broad scope of health niches.