ALOE VERA

Plant Source: Aloe barbadensis Miller (Family Liliaceae).

Part Used: Leaf gel.

Properties: Healing, pain-relieving, emollient, soothing, anti-inflammatory.

Most Common Traditional Uses:
Internal - General tonic, cleanser, detoxifier.
External - Minor burns, sunburn, skin irritations, insect bites, minor cuts, scratches and wounds.

The external healing and pain-relieving properties of fresh aloe vera gel have been well established. The polysaccharides are believed to be the active principles. However, its other properties, especially those internal, are still open to debate.

The internal uses of aloe gel appear to be of recent origin, and lack a long documented history. Despite its debated effects, aloe vera drinks (also called juices) are consumed in tremendous quantities for dozens of conditions. There is no lack of testimonials to aloe vera's marvelous benefits. However, aloe vera is probably the most adulterated product on the world market because most aloe drinks contain only a fraction of the claimed content of aloe vera gel.

One fairly widely advertised "award-winning" brand claims to have no taste, contain no preservatives and keep for years without spoiling; it actually tastes like water and looks like water and probably is water! Aloe vera, a common plant, has produced many millionaires in the United States, thanks to its name recognition and to the lack of testing methods to determine its quality. Greedy suppliers, brokers and manufacturers frequently stretch one gallon or one pound of genuine aloe vera gel liquid or powder to literally tens or hundreds of gallons or pounds of finished aloe drink that reap outrageous profits. The taste of the aloe juice or drink you experience is mostly due to citric acid and preservatives. Genuine fresh aloe gel has neutral taste.

Aloe vera cosmetics might require trying different brands to find one that contains enough aloe gel to achieve the effect you desire.

Aloe vera gel normally contains no laxative principles (anthraglycosides). These laxative compounds are only present in cells immediately beneath the skin of the leaf. After the leaf is cut crosswise, the yellow bitter latex containing these compounds drains out of the leaf. When this latex is dried, a dark resinous mass is produced which is commonly called simply aloe. This aloe is a drug and is used in many laxative preparations.

A milder form of laxative is also produced from the aloe vera plant by splitting the whole leaf, drying it and milling it to a powder. Since this product contains considerably lower amounts of anthraglycosides and high concentrations of the gel, its laxative action is considered much less harsh than the concentrated aloe latex.