Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has attracted lots of attention over the centuries and been seen as a cure-all by some civilisations! But it is only relatively recently that it has come back under scrutiny and been treated again with the respect that it deserves. 

After all, it is an incredibly versatile plant, which has been given many labels including Plant of Life. 

Heaven's Blessing and Wand of Heaven are two more of its sobriquets, as well as Potted Physician. 

I think this says plenty about why aloe vera has been used as a medicinal plant in many cultures, including the ancient Greeks, Babylonians, Romans, Chinese and Indians.

Mahatma Gandhi, in a letter to his biographer Romain Rolland, wrote: 'You ask me what were the secret forces which sustained me during my long fasts. 

Well, it was my unshakable faith in God, my simple and frugal life style, and the Aloe whose benefits I discovered upon my arrival in South Africa at the end of the 19th century.'

Although indigenous to Africa, aloe is now grown globally - chiefly in warm, dry climates - and while botanists have identified around 300 types, these are the five demonstrating medical benefits:

-Barbadensis Miller, -Perryi Baker, -Ferox (often called Cape Aloe), -Arborescens and -Saponaria. (The last two of these are the least popular and are mainly used in Japan.)

Aloe Barbadensis Miller is the most potent. It takes four to five years to reach maturity, when its leaves (which grow from a short stem) are about 60 cm in length and about 8-10 cm in width at the base. 

The outer leaves are usually harvested (up to three times a year) at about 4 years of age - and when they are removed this adaptable plant 'seals' itself within seconds against water loss!

How does it do this? As the wound is inflicted it films over and then, during the next few minutes, a rubbery protective coating stops further loss of sap.

Thus the stem avoids dessication and quite soon the wound heals completely. A perennial, Aloe Barbadensis Miller has approximately a 12-year lifespan. 

So as well as helping to heal us, clever aloe vera heals itself!

Some lesser known facts are that Aloe Americana is used by the Mexicans to produce their Tequila, while Aloe Sisalina's fibres are often used to make scratching posts for cats!

But back to Barbadensis Miller, where aloe vera's natural nutrients exist in perfect balance. It is likely to be this synergistic relationship between the elements found in the plant's gel that gives it its potent power to heal.

'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".'

There are no less than 75 ingredients within an aloe leaf. These are their categories:

Lignin, Saponins, Anthraquinones (Aloin, Isobarbaloin, Anthracene, Emodin, Ester of Cinnamonic acid, Chrysophanic acid, Barbaloin, Anthranol, Aloetic acid, Aloe Emodin, Ethereal oil and Resistannol. 

Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Sodium, Copper, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Chromium and Iron.

Vitamins: Vitamins A, C & E, Vitamin B & Choline, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid.

Amino Acids: Aloe vera provides 20 amino acids and 7 essential ones (of the 22 amino acids and 8 essential ones that the human body requires!)

Enzymes: These are some of the most important enzymes in this remarkable plant: Peroxidase, Aliiase, Catalase, Lipase, Cellulase, Carboxypeptidase, Amylase and Alkaline Phosphatase.

Sugars: Both monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose,and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are the most important types of sugars.

Sterols: Cholesterol, Sitosterol, Campesterol and Lupeol.

Aloe vera is very safe and has no known side effects. For more comprehensive information visit http://www.my-aloe-vera.com

Article Source: 

http://www.articlealley.com/http://pgglynn.articlealley.com/aloe-vera-1370464.html

About the Author:

http://www.my-aloe-vera.com