Aloe Vera

Known to herbalists for centuries this cactus-like plant with green dagger-shaped leaves filled with a clear, viscous gel was brought from Africa to North America in the sixteenth century.

But long before this, aloe, whose name means "shining bitter substance," was widely regarded as a master healing plant. The ancient Egyptians referred to aloe as the "plant of immortality" and included it among the funerary gifts buried with the pharaohs. In recent decades, medical research has confirmed and extended many of the health claims for the shining bitter substance (used topically or consumed as a liquid) that is the heart of aloe.

Helps Heal Wounds

The bulk of the aloe leaf is filled with gel, 96% water with the other 4% containing 75 known substances. Applied to wounds, aloe gel is a mild anaesthetic, relieving itching, swelling, and pain: it also is antibacterial and antifungal, increases blood flow to wounded areas, and stimulates fibroblasts, the skin cells responsible for wound healing.

Supports Surgical Recovery

Aloe decreases surgical recovery time, according to a report in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology.

Soothes Burns

In a study 27 patients with moderate burn wounds were treated with a gauze coated in either aloe gel or Vaseline™ (petroleum jelly). The burns healed more quickly in the aloe group, with an average healing time of 12 days compared to 18 days for the group using Vaseline.

Other benefits are:

• Minimizes Frostbite Damage
• Screens Out Radiation
  Aloe protects against skin damage from X rays, according to researchers at Hoshi University in Japan publishing in the journal Yakugaku Zasshi.
• Heals Psoriasis Lesions
• Eases Intestinal Problems
  Aloe vera juice can be effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study in the Journal of Alternative Medicine.
• Reduces Blood Sugar in Diabetes
  Aloe reduced the blood sugar levels in diabetics, as reported in Hormone Research.
• Reduces Arthritic Swelling.