Aloe Vera: The Ancient Modern Wonder Treatment

Most modern medicine cabinets are equipped with aloe vera in gel, lotion or capsule form. It's interesting to note, however, that there's nothing "new" about nature's age-old medical miracle.

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".

Aloe Vera Herb

Aloe vera is one of about 400 known species grown under the family known as "asphodelaceae". Classified as a succulent plant, aloe is naturally grown in the more arid areas of Africa, as well as in the mountainous zones of tropical Africa. The aloe vera plant, which is considered by many to be an herb, is distinguished by the large, thick, fleshy leaves. These leaves are shaped like lances, have sharp apexes and spines lining their margins.

Early Applications

Historians have traced the use of aloe vera as an herbal or medical treatment as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient Egyptians used the plant to treat parasites, burns and infections.

Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

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.

Aloe vera has been under medical scrutiny since the 1930s. Studies suggest that the clear gel of the aloe vera plant contain properties that have dramatic burn, wound and ulcer healing properties. When an affected area is coated with the gel-like substance, the wound is also safeguarded from infection-causing bacteria and other micro bodies, providing faster 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.

Supplements Based on Aloe Vera

The many naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals make aloe vera the ideal herbal food supplement. It helps aid digestion, and can assist in lymphatic and blood circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplements are also believed to improve liver, kidney and gall bladder functions.

With at least three fatty acids, the aloe vera plant also presents anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, aloe vera herbal supplements can be helpful for those with colon, stomach and small intestine difficulties. By naturally alkalizing digestive juices and preventing excess stomach acids, aloe vera supplements can help to prevent these common causes of indigestion.

Next time you're feeling discomfort, inside or out, reach for a piece of aloe. It's an easy-to-grow plant that looks beautiful in the bathroom, so keep one in a pot and have those remarkable healing properties at hand, any time you need them.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

Contributor Varian Sperks is a writer for several online magazines, on skin care products and health and wellness subjects.
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