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Aloe vera is a plant well-known for centuries to have healing properties. Aloe contains the major carbohydrate fraction, acemannan, which also has antiviral properties.
Source
It is used fresh, added to lotions, dried, and as extracts (even to 200:1).
Function; Reasons For Use
Aloe vera is best known for the mucilaginous gel in the outer portions of the leaf tissues. This clear, jelly-like substance is used primarily as a topical agent for burns and wound-healing. The gel is also concentrated for its composition of glucomannans, galactans, and arabinans. Some of these components have been implicated with the ability to stimulate the immune system generally and against tumor cells specifically.
Aloe vera contains up to 200 different substances beneficial to the human body. These substances include enzymes, glycoproteins, growth factors, vitamins, and minerals. Long-chain sugars, or mucopolysaccharides (especially acemannan), have been of particular interest for their remarkable properties. Aloe vera is commonly considered a general tonic for increasing well-being and longevity.
The bitter yellow juice (different from the gel) of the leaves can also be used to make aloes, used as a laxative. More often, the related species Aloe ferox (The Cape Aloe) is used for this purpose.
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Aloe Vera can help with the following: | | | | | Circulation |  Poor/Slow Wound Healing | Aloe vera provides the micronutrients required for protein synthesis. Its many components work together to reduce inflammation and pain, promote healing, and stop infection. Some of these components cause cells to divide and multiply; some stimulate the growth of white blood cells. Aloe vera also enhances cell wall permeability, increasing cell access to nutrients and facilitating the removal of toxins from the cells. Aloe vera can be used on the skin and can also be taken internally as a juice (2 ounces of concentrate in a 6-ounce beverage).
Aloe can be applied topically to wounds and taken internally for both skin wounds and gastrointestinal ulcers [Chithraet al. 1998]. Aloe's mode of action may be through modulating macrophage function in the wound, enabling an immune response that ingests and destroys foreign pathogens [Zhang et al. 1996]. It has been suggested that aloe works as a free radical scavenger and improves blood flow to the wound [Heggers et al. 1997]. |
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Environment / Toxicity |
 Tendency to Sunburn Easily| | Aloe vera is a natural way to cool burning skin. Keep an aloe vera plant in your house, and when you have a sunburn, break open a leaf and apply the clear gel inside directly to your tender skin. Apply as often as needed for relief. For convenience, use the aloe vera sunburn products available in most drugstores and health food stores. Just be sure that the product you're buying contains more aloe vera gel than water. |
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Infections |
Athletes Foot| | Apply aloe vera gel twice daily. |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help |
GLOSSARY
Antiviral
Any of a number of herbs, drugs or agents capable of destroying viruses or inhibiting their growth or multiplication until the body is capable of destroying the virus itself. Most antiviral agents are members of the antimetabolite family.
Carbohydrates (Carbohydrate)
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Free Radical (Free Radicals)
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron. Because another element can easily pick up this free electron and cause a chemical reaction, these free radicals can effect dramatic and destructive changes in the body. Free radicals are activated in heated and rancid oils and by radiation in the atmosphere, among other things.
Gastrointestinal (GI, GI Tract)
Pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Laxative (Laxatives)
A substance (food, herb, chemical) that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Examples include cascara sagrada, senna, castor oil, aloe vera, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and many others.
Macrophage (Macrophages)
An immune system cell that scavenges bacterial and other foreign material in the blood and tissues. It is a mature form of what is released from the marrow as a monocyte. A macrophage lives long, can digest much detritus, and is able to wear particles of odd food on its outer membrane. This allows T-cell and B-cell lymphocytes to taste the particle (an epitope) and form an antibody response. Further, these macrophages, traveling as monocytes, will take up permanent residence in many tissues, providing them with immunity. They line the spleen, form the cleansing Kupffer cells in the liver, make up the "dust cells" that protect the lungs, protect the synovial fluids of the joints, and form the microglial cells that provide protection to the brain and nerve tissues. Essentially the macrophages clean up messes and act as the intermediates between innate and acquired immunity.
Mineral (Minerals)
Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.
Mucopolysaccharides (Mucopolysaccharide)
Carbohydrates that act as support structures in connective tissue in the body.
Ounce (Ounces, oz)
Approximately 28 grams.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Topical
Most commonly 'topical application': Administration to the skin.
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
White Blood Cell (WBC, White Blood Cells)
A blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin: a blood corpuscle responsible for maintaining the body's immune surveillance system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. White cells become specifically programmed against foreign invaders and work to inactivate and rid the body of a foreign substance. White blood cells are composed primarily of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are either T-cells or B-cells. T-cells (CD3 cells) are divided into T-helper (CD4 cells) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8 cells) cells.
Last updated: Oct 08, 2008
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