Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera plant contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids. The bulk of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water. It is used as a remedy to a wide variety of conditions. With over 50 uses for Aloe Vera, the most commonly known use is to soothe burns.

1.  Aloe Vera Is High in Vitamins & Minerals:

The vitamins found within the Aloe Vera plant include A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6 and B12.

Aloe Vera contains over 20 different minerals. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, and manganese, just to name a few.

2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body. 9 of these are essential, meaning they cannot be made by the human body, and must be found in food sources. The Aloe Vera plant contains approximately 18-20 amino acids, and several essential amino acids.

Alove Vera also contains a wide variety of fatty acids. Aloe contains three plant sterols, which are important fatty acids- HDL cholesterol (which lowers fats in the blood), campesterol, and B-sitosterol. All are helpful in reducing symptoms of allergies and indigestion. Other fatty acids found in aloe include linoleic, linolenic, myristic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic, and  stearic.

3. Aloe Helps with Digestion

Aloe is used to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion. By ingesting Aloe Vera internally, it can help relieve both constipation and diarrhea, as well as reduce acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. Aloe also helps to maintain healthy intestinal flora.

4. Aloe Helps in Detoxification

Aloe Vera is gelatinous and moves through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins to be eliminated through the colon. This may lead to increased energy and help you lose a few extra pounds.

5.  Aloe Alkalizes the Body

Aloe Vera is an alkaline forming food. It alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits. (An alkaline body is a healthy body.)

6. Cardiovascular Health

According to a study published in the 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol helps to lower cholesterol. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and oxidation of the blood, lowering cholesterol, and making blood less sticky, Aloe Vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease.

7. Aloe Helps Boost the Immune System

The polysaccharides in Aloe Vera juice stimulate macrophages, which are the white blood cells of your immune system that fight against viruses.

Aloe also contains a high level of anti-oxidants, which help combat the unstable compounds known as free-radicals, contributing to the aging process. Aloe Vera has cooling properties which may help to reduce or prevent fever.

8. Great for the Skin

Aloe Vera is great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to bug bites. Aloe acts as a pain reliever and can relieve itching as well. Aloe Vera is also an astringent, which causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.

Aloe can be used as a moisturizer, and it increases the elasticity of the skin. It also helps supply oxygen to the skin cells, increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood flow to the skin through capillary dilation.

9. Disinfectant, Anti-biotic, Anti-microbial (Anti-bacterial, Anti-parasitic, Anti-fungal & Anti-viral):

Aloe Vera’s active ingredients are sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea, nitrogen, and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and to eliminate many internal and external infections.

10. Aloe Helps Reduce Inflammation

Aloe Vera contains 12 substances, including B-sisterole, which can help to slow down or inhibit inflammation.  This may be able to help with painful joints due to stiffness and help improve joint flexibility.

 

*Always consult a nutrition professional (Chiropractor, Nutritionist, Naturopath, etc.) if you have any health concerns. Aloe Vera may or may not be the right choice for you!