Aloe Vera is known for its healing and soothing qualities. An array of diverse uses has been reported such as treatment of sunburns, minor burns and bruises, skin afflictions such as eczema, improving the function of digestive systems by cleansing the body of digestive tract irritations, relief of back and neck pain, and arthritis, lessening the symptoms of asthma, allergies, flus and colds, treatment of all types of stings (wasp, bee), and use as a skin moisturizer. It’s also proven effective when relieving indigestion, constipation, heartburn, the pain of ulcers and even when used as a vaginal douche. In short, it seems Aloe Vera is useful in the treatment and early prevention of almost all of the illnesses and diseases that can attack the human body.
Aloe Vera comes in the forms of powders, gels, liquids, creams, lotions, soaps and sprays. It can be taken internally by ingestion and externally as a topical ointment. One of the most common forms of Aloe Vera is a juice which is said to be a tremendously efficient body cleanser.
Aloe Vera is a natural source of proteins, Vitamins A, B12, C and E, and it contains many minerals, such as zinc, calcium and magnesium, which are vital to the proper function of all body systems. The combination and perfect balance of all these compounds and elements apparently work together to promote healing and the reduction of pain. It plays a significant role in strengthening the immune system through stimulation, increasing the white blood cell count. A healthy immune system guarantees good health allowing escape from many of the ailments that infect the human body. Studies indicate that Aloe Vera has three important agents: an anti-inflammatory agent which fights infection and its symptoms, an anti-bacterial agent which fights bacteria, germs and disease, and an anti-viral agent which fights viruses.
The effectiveness of its use once serious illness has set in has not been proven. Thus, it appears that Aloe Vera works best when used as a preventive measure to aid in the maintenance of good health. More importantly, the elements incorporated in Aloe Vera are nutrients rather than drugs, a refreshing fact given the overwhelming use of drugs in our societies.
If Aloe Vera is Such a Potent Plant, Why Aren’t More People Using it?
The problem is likely that many of us have tried certain aloe products and found them to be ineffective at the very least. Some have even had unpleasant reactions and decided that Aloe Vera was of no use to them. Unfortunately, there are many products on the shelf with the sole purpose of taking our money because they aren’t processed with the care needed to protect the healthful consistency of the aloe plant. It’s most important that when processing the aloe plant, that the potency and effectiveness is maintain. Aloe plants that have been chemically treated and diluted with all types of synthetics and colorants, pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have lost much of its potency because the delicate balance of its ingredients have been disturbed or lost. When shopping, we must look for the products that contain the largest possible concentration of aloe, minus all the unnecessary additives.
To help and advise us on certified Aloe Vera products is an organization called the International Aloe Science Council (IASC). This organization is a combination of aloe industries that set standards for growing and processing Aloe Vera products. Finding the IASC’s Certification Seal of Approval on products is a start to finding effective products because this organization promises the integrity of the product has been protected. On their website under http//iasc.org, a complete A – Z listing of all certified Aloe Vera products is given.
It sounds like aloe is worth checking into because of its many stated benefits. However, we must be sure the product has been processed properly so that the quality and pure content has been preserved.