Soothing Aloe Vera

Most people know that aloe vera can be used on skin cuts, abrasions, or sunburn. But did you know that it can also aid in healing your internal problems? There are some forgotten secrets to this ancient medicinal plant.

The aloe vera plant has given us many popular herbal remedies. A native African plant, aloe vera plant is known as "lily of the desert", "plant of immortality" and of course, "medicine plant." The name aloe is derived from the Arabic word "alloeh", meaning "bitter taste".

The Herb

The aloe vera plant belongs to the family Asphodelaceae with about 400 known species currently grown. Classified as succulent plants, aloe grows in the more arid parts of Africa and in the mountains of tropical Africa. The most distinguishing part of the aloe vera herbal plant is its leaves which are large, thick, and fleshy. The leaves are shaped like lances with a sharp apex and spines lining their margins.

Early Applications of Aloe Vera

As early as 1500 BC, Egyptians have noted the use of the aloe vera plant as treatment for burns, infections, and parasites.

Aloe Believed to Aid Healing

Many believe that the juice of the aloe vera plant yields certain substances, called aloes, which are good purgatives. Great care must be taken before ingesting the aloe plant as some species, including the Aloe venenosa, can produce poisonous juices. Most species, however, including A. vera, chinensis, perryi, socotrina and vulgaris, contain aloes that provide soothing, therapeutic benefits.

Since the 1930s, thorough research has been conducted on the aloe vera plant. Studies have indicated that the clear gel of the aloe vera herbal plant may hold dramatic abilities to heal burns, wounds and ulcers. By coating the affected areas with the gel-like substance, the wound may be safeguarded from infection-causing bacteria and other micro bodies, allowing for quicker healing.

Aloe Vera Juice

Like most succulents, the aloe vera plant is composed of about 96 percent water. The remaining 4 percent consists of active ingredients including essential oils, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and glycoproteins. The many active constituents present in the aloe vera plant have prompted many modern healers to implement it into their liquid health treatments. The aloe vera herbal juice is usually combined with other medicinal plants in order to increase its potency. Those who use it believe that the juice of the aloe vera produces a relieving effect on digestive tract irritations caused by peptic ulcers, colitis and other digestive disorders.

Herbal Supplements

With its many vitamins and minerals, aloe vera is perfect as an herbal food supplement. It helps aid digestion and assists in blood and lymphatic circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplement is also thought to improve kidney, liver, and gall bladder functions.

The plant has at least three fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids make the aloe vera herbal supplement beneficial for the stomach, small intestine, and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent an excess of acidity, which is a common cause of indigestion.

Aloe vera is an ancient plant, long respected for its many healing and soothing properties. For this reason, aloe is one treatment that no modern medicine cabinet should be without.

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Writer Varian Sperks loves writing for several web zines, on health and wellness products and alternative health care topics.