Aloe Vera: Confers a Plethora of Health Benefits

Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Plant

Research work carried out worldwide over the years found that toxic colon is the cause of a wide range of illness. A regular daily dose in limited amount of Aloe Vera juice may not only found that the effects are gradual gentle and with no irritant or harmful side effects, but also blood circulation will be improved due to aloe Vera’s ability to detoxify. As a natural healer, it can sooth and heal any internal ulcers or lesions (a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer or tumour). The list of benefits and effects for this miraculous plant are many. Here is a list of the Top 10 Benefits and Medicinal Uses for Aloe Vera. They are:

• Role of Aloe Vera in the digestive system : Aloe Vera soothes and cleanses the digestive tract and helps in improving digestion. It regulates the peristaltic (involuntary movements of the longitudinal and circular muscles, primarily in the digestive tract but occasionally in other hollow tubes of the body, that occur in progressive wavelike contractions) movements of intestines & promotes digestion. Aloe has been a great remedy for people with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux. Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria in our gut and maintaining a healthy intestinal flora balance. Aloe is also a vermifuge, which means it helps to rid the body of intestinal worms. Aloe contains three plant sterols named HCL cholesterol (which lowers fats in our blood), campesterol, and B-sitosterol which are helpful in reducing symptoms of acid indigestion and allergies.
• Aloe Vera helps in relieving Constipation : Aloe Vera is a well-known adaptogen and best part is as an adaptogen, it helps with either constipation or diarrhea. Aloe Vera also contains aloin that is responsible for its purgative (strongly laxative in effect) action so it is known to relieve constipation. The liver & spleen (an abdominal organ involved in the production and removal of blood cells and a part of the immune system) function are also stimulated by the use of Aloe Vera.
• Aloe Vera helps to Reduce Inflammation : Another substances named B-sisterole found in Aloe Vera can help in slowing down inflammation. This can help with painful joints due to stiffness and help improve joint flexibility. 
• Aloe Vera has a great role in treating infections : Some active ingredients like sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol found in Aloe Vera are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and act as a team to provide antimicrobial activity. Thus, aloe vera eliminates many internal and external infections. It also helps to treat fungal and viral infections.
• Aloe Vera helps in boosting our Immune System : The Polysaccharides found in Aloe Vera stimulate macrophages, which are the white blood cells of our immune system that fight against viruses. Aloe is also an immune enhancer because of its high level of anti-oxidants, which helps in combating the unstable compounds known as free-radicals, (Free radicals may be formed through natural human physiological processes as well as from the environment) contributing to the aging process. Aloe Vera is also act as an antipyretic which is used to reduce or prevent fever. 
• Aloe Vera Helps in Detoxifying our body : Aloe Vera is a gelatinous (having a jelly-like consistency) plant food, and as a gelatinous plant food, it moves through our intestinal tract with absorbing toxins along the way and get eliminated through the colon. This will help in proper eliminating of waste and helps to detoxify our body.
• Aloe Vera helps to Alkalize our Body : We must consume 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acidic foods in order to remain healthy, because disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. In this way, Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food. It alkalizes the body and helps to balance overly acidic dietary habits. 
• Aloe Vera acts as a stress buster : Adaptogen found in Aloe Vera is something that boosts our body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. Adaptogen balances our systems, stimulates the defense and adaptive mechanisms of our body. This allows us an increased ability to cope with stress (physical, emotional and environmental stress i.e. pollution). 
• Aloe Vera helps in Cardiovascular Health : When Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, it greatly multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of the red blood cells. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and oxidation of the blood, lowering cholesterol, and making blood less sticky and thick, Aloe Vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease. 
• Aloe Vera helps in loosing Weight : Proper digestion and detoxification helps in promoting weight loss. When we have proper digestion we naturally eliminate more efficiently toxins through defecation and urination. This lightens our toxic load on our body and also gives us more energy. 

Other works of Aloe Vera in our body?

We read from the above paragraph that the useful parts of Aloe Vera are the gel and latex. Aloe gel might cause changes in the skin and might help diseases like psoriasis. Aloe gel seems to be able to speed wound healing by improving blood circulation through the area and preventing cell death around a wound. Aloe gel has also properties that are harmful to certain types of bacteria and fungi. Whereas Aloe latex contains chemicals that work as a laxative.

Aloe Vera is equally good when used externally

• Aloe Vera is known as vulnerary i.e. it helps in healing wounds and is good for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to bug bites. 
• Aloe also acts as an analgesic, acting to help relieve pain of wounds. 
• Rubbing of aloe Vera juice on sun burnt skin gives immediate soothing effect. 
• Aloe Vera also acts as an antipruritic i.e. a substance that relieves or prevents itching. 
• As an astringent, Aloe Vera typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions. 
• Due to Aloe Vera’s high water content, it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate our skin.
• Aloe increases the elasticity of the skin making it more flexible through collagen and elastin repair. 
• Aloe is also an emollient, helping to soften and soothe the skin. 
• Aloe 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.

What studies revealed?

• According to a study published in the year 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol found in Aloe Vera helps in lowering cholesterol in humans. 
• Some Preliminary studies show benefit with Aloe Vera in controlling weight, but the mechanisms do not seem as potent as other anti-obesity supplements. 
• Studies also revealed that Aloe Vera has been implicated in multiple cases of liver problems (which are not too common, although resurgent) and has a lower toxicity threshold than other herbal supplements.
• Some research suggests that applying aloe gel on each side of the inner lining of the cheeks three times daily for 3 months improves burning, the ability to open the mouth, and cheek flexibility in people with a mouth condition called oral submucous fibrosis. 
• Research shows that using a mouthwash containing aloe gel three times daily for 12 weeks or applying a gel containing aloe gel twice daily for 8 weeks can reduce pain associated with itchy rashes in the mouth.
• Several animal and human studies in type 2 diabetics have actually found promising results from consuming Aloe Vera extract. However, the quality of these studies was fairly poor, so it is definitely premature to recommend Aloe Vera for this purpose.