Herbs have been used as medicines for thousands of years. Till recently people relied on traditional systems of medicine that were based on observational analysis, It is only now that scientific methods have evolved enough to allow experimental research. However, this does not denigrate the observations made over centuries. Plants used in folk medicine are still the main source of drug discovery and development. Modern medicine may have the tools but nature still has all the compounds.
One promising herb that is often unrecognized for all its medicinal properties is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera Leaf is also known by the names Indian Alces, Kumari, Ghirita, Gawarpaltra, and Cape Aloes. This herb seems to be the complete package for a good life. Its active ingredients can not only detoxify the body of harmful toxins but also rid the body of excess adipose tissue in a harmonious way. Aloe Vera is an excellent choice for a clean and healthy life. The herb also has appreciable beneficial effects that protect the skin from the elements.
Aloe Vera draws the heat out of burns, soothes and softens the skin just minutes after being applied. Sunburnt, dry or cracked skin and scrapes can all benefit from a slathering of Aloe Vera gel. It is said to maintain beauty, smoothen wrinkles, and brighten the face. Nature packs Aloe Vera in ready-to use leaves, (just break off a leaf and squeeze the gel onto a burn or bruise) but its effectiveness and quick action is greatly facilitated by processing its active principle.
Aloe Vera Description:
Aloe Vera has a long history as a multipurpose folk remedy. It has been exceptionally recognized for its healing properties for over eighteen centuries. Being a desert plant it needs very little water and is an ideal houseplant. While it grows wild in the dry mountains of Yemen, commercial cultivation of Aloe Vera is done in the high deserts of Texas and Mexico. Worldwide, there exist hundreds of species of this succulent, yucca-like plant, but those most often used are Aloe Perryi Baker, Aloe Ferox and the most effective species Aloe Vera barbandensis, simply known today as Aloe Vera.
Components of Aloe Vera:
The plant can be separated into two basic products - The Gel and the Latex.
Aloe Vera gel is the leaf pulp, or mucilage, a thin clear jelly-like substance obtained from the tissues that make up the inner portion of its leaves. The gel contains carbohydrate polymers, such as gluco-mannans or pectic acid, plus various other organic and inorganic compounds. It relieves pain, speeds-up healing, protects from frostbite and is used to control eczema and psoriasis. It is widely used in a variety of forms such as lotions, moisturizers, cosmetics, and shampoos.
Aloe Vera latex, commonly referred to as "Aloe juice," is a bitter yellow exudate from the pericyclic tubules just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. For pharmaceutical use as a laxative (to promote bowel movement), the juice is often dried to produce "Aloe Vera" granules that are dark brown from exposure to air. In the past, exclusive use of the Aloe latex led to the widespread belief that Aloe Vera was no more than a laxative.
The terms "gel" and "juice" are not always clearly defined by manufacturers and often are confused by consumers. The juice of the Aloe Vera leaves has efficacious cleansing agents that help in detoxifying and excretion of toxins. It is only now that we are beginning to realize its potential to effectively control weight loss on a long-term basis.
Aloe Vera in Weight Loss:
Obesity has become an epidemic in our times. Up till now weight loss remedies had numerous problems. Weight loss diets used to involve distressing diets and workouts that involved a major disruption of daily living. A greater problem was to maintain the ideal body weight for any length of time. An increasing appreciation of nature’s potential and relentless research into age-old wisdom has finally found an ideal weight loss supplement: Aloe Vera.
Aloe Vera is increasingly being recognized as one of the best agents to promote weight loss. The Aloe Vera gel is an effective agent not only to reduce but also to stabilize the body mass index. The Aloe Vera gel action on body weight is multi-pronged, making it suitable for varied population groups and individuals. Aloe Vera has something to offer to everyone.
Aloe Vera stimulates the metabolic rate in the liver cells helping us to burn more energy. The activity of each cell rises and more heat is generated. The increasing amount of fuel required for this task is derived from fat and carbohydrate stores of the body. This has a direct effect on the body mass index. Thus taking Aloe Vera supplements is akin to doing multiple workouts over a week.
Aloe Vera also has a high content of "Collagen Protein". Supplementing Aloe Vera in the diet increases protein intake. Proteins are difficult to digest and the body spends more energy assimilating them into the system. This additional expenditure of energy is well suited for someone who wants to exchange flab for brawn. Imagine a supplement that builds you up while burning your fat stores at the same time.
As mentioned above, Aloe Vera decreases the transit time that food spends in the intestine. The faster food moves the less is absorbed, enhancing the above actions of Aloe Vera on the body mass index. Little wonder then that some of the names ascribed to this medicinal herb over the years include "The Dietary Plant" and "The Harmony Remedy"!
Aloe Vera in Diabetes:
Many Studies have shown that regular consumption of Aloe Vera leads to lowering blood glucose level with no toxic effects on kidney or liver function as assessed by blood chemistry. Aloe Vera helps toning up of the Pancreas, thus regularizing insulin flow.
Aloe Vera helps accelerate the healing of Diabetic wounds. It dramatically lessens inflammation and improves pain response.
Aloe Vera in Digestive Problems:
Aloe Vera helps in treating indigestion, irritable bowl syndrome, ulcerative colitis, esophagitis, peptic ulcer, chronic colon problems including constipation, hemorrhoids, colitis and Crohn's disease. It helps in the removal of excess acid and cough.
Aloe Vera in Allergies:
Aloe Vera is a rich source of vitamins E and C. These help in boosting the immune system tremendously. Thus it's an ideal solution to many common allergies such as colds, asthma. Serine maintain a healthy immune system. Aspartic acid helps increase stamina.
Aloe Vera in Aging:
Aloe Vera is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants, vitamins E and C and Vitamin B-12 (only known natural source). Recent studies are demonstrating the remarkable benefits of antioxidants. Oxidation in cells can damage DNA, leading sometimes to cancer, other diseases and to the changes associated with aging. The antioxidant compounds counter the aging effects wrought by the free radicals.
Other Properties of the Aloe Vera Principle:
Other active ingredients of the Aloe Vera plant include Salicylates, which control inflammation and pain, and an enzyme that inhibits Bradykinin, the chemical messenger responsible for transmitting pain signals through the nerves. Aloe Vera also contains Magnesium Lactate, a chemical known to inhibit the release of histamines responsible for skin irritation and itching.
Aloe Vera is thus rightly called "The Miracle Herb" due to its many medicinal and useful properties.
When choosing an Aloe Vera product for topical application, look for a product high in Aloe Vera content, which should appear as the first item listed on the ingredients panel.
To summarize, Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera helps to promote digestion because it contains enzymes that assist in
Digestion
Helps to cleanse the digestive tract
Improves circulation
Reduces allergies
Helps with metabolic disorders
Acts as a general tonic, giving energy and nutrients while on a program
Helps to stabilise blood sugar
Has no known side effects
Thus, scientific evidence proves that Aloe Vera is your herb of choice for a clean and healthy lifestyle. It has the potential to undo the adverse effects of all the pollutants that we expose ourselves to, including saturated fat and toxic byproducts of industralisation and automobile emissions.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice provided by a healthcare professional. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing, treating or prescribing medication for treatment of a disease or health-related condition. You should carefully read all information provided in product packaging and follow the appropriate directions for use. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare professional.
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