Family Liliaceae   English Name Aloe, Barbadaos Aloe, Curacao Aloe, Indian Aloe   Indian Name Kumari, Gheekanvar, Lolesara   Species and Varieties A.barbadensis, A.ferox, A.perryi   Distribution India, West India, South Africa   Uses Drugs, Cosmetics
What is Aloe Vera? | Where does it work? | How does it work? | Inside an Aloe Vera leaf | Which type of aloe? | In conclusion | Uses of Aloe Vera
What is Aloe Vera? Aloe Vera, often called the Miracle Plant, the Natural Healer, the Burn Plant, goes by many names which have survived the 4000 or so years during which this amazing medicinal herb has benefited mankind. Although there are over 200 species of aloe, there are probably only three or four with medicinal properties. Of these, Aloe Vera Barbadensis (Miller), which is also known as Aloe Vera (linne), is the most potent Aloe Vera Barbadensis is a succulent, looking rather like a cactus but is in fact a member of the lily family related to the onions, garlic and asparagus. It reaches maturity in fourteen months in tropics, when the content of its leaves, a mixture of inner gel and outer sap can be harvested, preserved and bottled to produce a product that is as near to the natural plant juice as we can get. To benefit from Aloe Vera, the gel can be taken internally for its nutritional effect or it can be combined with other ingredients to produce topical creams and lotions to nourish and improve the quality of the skin.
Where does it work? Aloe Vera, because of its nutritional qualities and antioxidant properties, helps firstly to prevent injury to epithelial tissues, and when they are damaged, it promotes healing. Antioxidants fight the destructive 'free radicals, the unstable compounds produced by our metabolism and found in environmental pollutants. They are thought to cause various ailments including some cancers as well as contributing towards the aging process. An epithelium is an anatomical term defined as follows:- 'An epithelium is a layer of cells that covers the body or lines a cavity that connects with it'.Our largest epithelium is our skin but also included are the lining of the gut, the bronchial tract. No wonder that aloe works just as well on damaged skin as it does, say, on an inflamed bowel or in asthma.
How does it work? Its natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial action combined within its nutritional constituents promote cell growth and therefore healing. However, it is not only helpful for people with problems; most people taking it report a greater sense of well being - they just feel 'better' or they report feeling calmer and less anxious. I believe that this last comment is due to aloe's effect on their immune system which you may say becomes balanced or fine-tuned and therefore more efficient at defending the body from attack.