ALOEALLOE
While parts of my Aloe Vera website are lighthearted and even quirky, it occurred to me that I could also be serious and give you some in-depth aloe data that I think you’ll find interesting. As I’ve already mentioned elsewhere, this versatile plant has been used over the centuries by many different cultures. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Babylonians, Indians and Chinese have all used it as a medicinal plant. So it isn’t surprising that it has been described in many different ways: e.g. Heaven’s Blessing, Plant of Life, Wonder Plant, Wand of Heaven and Potted Physician. Two to three hundred different types of these plants have been identified by botanists, with just five demonstrating medical benefits: -Barbadensis Miller, -Perryi Baker, -Ferox, -Arborescens and -Saponaria. The first of these is the most potent (and the only one used by Forever Living). Although indigenous to Africa, Alloe Vera is now grown globally – specifically in warm, dry climates. Most Alloe plants are similarly structured and mature in approximately four years, which is when the leaves begin sprouting. These have soft spines every few inches lining their silhouette and taper to a point near the top of the plant. The Barbadensis Miller has about a twelve-year lifespan. N.B. Click on any picture for still further info!
'The structure of the leaf shows the outer-rind about fifteen cell layers thick. This is dark-green in colour and has a hard, waxy surface. The hardness is due to the large amounts of calcium and magnesium present in it. The greenness comes from chlorophyll, which uses sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to manufacture the Aloe Vera gel. Below the rind are vascular bundles or tubes of xylem and phloem. The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots upwards into the leaves, providing ingredients for the manufacturing process. The phloem transports the synthesised materials down to the roots and other parts of the leaf.’ Studies have shown that there are 75 ingredients within the plant's leaf. These have a variety of medical benefits and are divided into the following categories: Aloin, Isobarbaloin, Anthracene, Emodin, Ester of Cinnamonic acid, Chrysophanic acid, Barbaloin, Anthranol, Aloetic acid, Aloe Emodin, Ethereal oil and Resistannol. These act as natural laxatives, painkillers and analgesics, and they contain powerful antibacterial, antifungal and virucidal properties. - Calcium (essential for proper bone and teeth density) - Manganese (a component of enzymes necessary for the activation of other enzymes) - Sodium (ensures that the body fluids do not become too acidic or too alkaline) - Copper (enables iron to work as oxygen carriers in the red blood cells) - Magnesium (used by nerves and muscle membranes to help conduct electrical impulses)
- Potassium (regulates the acidic or alkaline levels of body fluid) - Zinc (contributes to the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats) - Chromium (necessary for the proper function of insulin, which in turn controls the sugar levels in the blood) - Iron (controls the transportation of oxygen around the body via the red blood cells) - Vitamins A, C, & E (crucial antioxidants that combat dangerous free radicals in the body) - Vitamin B & Choline (concerned with the production of energy, amino acid metabolism and developing muscle mass) - Vitamin B12 (responsible for the production of red blood cells) - Folic acid (helps develop new blood cells) Enzymes help to break down food and assist in digestion. Some enzymes help break down fats while others break down starches and sugars. They aid in proper digestion, maintain cholesterol levels, improve liver functions and promote the strengthening of bones. Cholesterol, Sitosterol, Campesterol and Lupeol. These sterols contain antiseptic and analgesic properties. They also have pain killing properties similar to aspirin.
While this might seem like a small percentage to contain so many ingredients, its helpfulness has been proved to be significant. Dr Peter Atherton states that this is due to synergistic actions, writing: 'Synergism is defined as “the working together of two or more drugs, muscles etc. to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects”.’ Aloe Vera has the ability to provide essential nutrients, kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and reduce inflammation.
‘Tissues that die and are renewed rapidly such as the lining of the gut, which renews itself about every four days, and the skin every 21 to 28 days or so, need a rich and ready supply of building materials to produce and maintain healthy, efficient cells.’ (Atherton, P. (1997) THE ESSENTIAL ALOE VERA. Newport Pagnell: Mill Enterprises) A proper diet supplemented with Aloe Vera is an effective way to get these essential nutrients. Aloe Vera can also reduce inflammation to injured tissue. Inflammation occurs when healthy tissue is injured and blood begins to clot around the tissue to repair the injured tissue. The benefits of this plant have been tested throughout history. It is only in recent years that studies have scientifically proven many of its medicinal benefits. Perhaps the longer that scientists and botanists study the benefits of Aloe Vera, the more improvements it will create to human health and well being.
I hope you share my feeling that no additional comment is needed from me!
Go from Aloe to Aloe Vera Home
|
