The aloe vera plant has long, spiked leaves, which are thick-skinned and contain a clear gel-like substance. It is used today in cosmetics, skin creams, burn gels and sun screen creams. The juice of the aloe vera plant may be consumed internally and is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years, in fact one of the first documented users of aloe vera was by Cleopatra, who lived from 68 to 30 B.C. She is said to have used the gel on her skin to keep it young-looking.
There is much anecdotal evidence about the health benefits of aloe vera. Let’s examine some research.
Better absorption of nutrients
A recent study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 showed 300% better absorption of Vitamins C & E when taken with Aloe Vera Juice.
Psoriasis
A placebo controlled study involving patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Some patients used a cream containing 0.5% aloe vera extract; others were given a placedo. After the 16 week study, 83% of patients using the aloe vera were cured compared to 6.6% of patients using the placebo. There were no adverse affects.
Cancer
Aloe vera taken internally is thought to be helpful for cancer. The effect of aloe vera on a pleural tumor in rats showed positive results. Rats with induced liver cancer showed improvement when given vitamin C and aloe vera.
Diabetes
A study conducted at the Mahidol University of Bangkok, Thailand and published in the journal of Phytomedicine in 1996, showed significant improvement of blood sugar levels of diabetes patients taking 15 mL of aloe vera twice daily over 42 days. No adverse side effects were reported.
Bowel disease
A trial in 2004 conducted by the Department of Gastroenterology at the Royal London Hospital showed an improvement by patients suffering ulcerative colitis, a serious inflammatory bowel disease.
Healing the effects of radiation
In 1953 the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission conducted experiments on beta irradiation. After months of testing it was concluded that aloe vera was found to hasten both the degenerative and reparative phases of lesions, enabling complete healing to be effected within two months.
Decreased total cholesterol
Research in India in 1986 showed that rats fed a high cholesterol diet, showed decreased total cholesterol levels and increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels when fed aloe vera gel.
HIV
Perhaps the most remarkable research concerns the effect of aloe vera on the status of patients with HIV which causes AIDS. McDaniel & McAnalley administered a polysaccharide fraction of aloe vera orally to 8 patients with HIV/AIDS. All 8 showed an improvement within 90 days of treatment. Fever and night sweats were eliminated in all patients. Diarrhea was alleviated in 2 of 3 patients. Opportunistic infections were controlled or eliminated in 6 out of the 8 patients. Two patients, unemployed because of their symptoms, were able to return to full employment.
Conclusion
There is overwhelming anecdotal evidence and promising early research of the health benefits of aloe vera.
Aloe vera may be useful for many purposes, but it is not legal in some countries to make such claims. It seems strange that it is ok to make extravagent claims about breakfast cereals.
Mr Cabbage Head uses Aloe Vera juice in his daily diet to aid in nutrient absorption, but cautions people to seek medical advice before making a radical diet change.
References:
Corsi, M. M., et al. The therapeutic potential of Aloe Vera in tumor-bearing rats. Int J Tissue React. 20(4):115-118, 1998.
Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, 358-8.
Joshi, S & Dixit, V.P. Hypolipidemia effect of Aloe barbadensis (Aloe fraction I) in cholestorel-fed rats. Proc Nat Acad Sci India, Sect B 56:339-342, 1986.
McDaniel, H.R. & McAnalley, B.H. Evaluation of Acemannan in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Scientific Poster Presentation, Texas Society of Pathologists, University of Texas Health Science Center, Galveston, Texas, 29-31 January 1988.
Shamaan, N. A., et al. Vitamin C and Aloe vera supplementation protects from chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Nutrition. 14(11-12):846-852, 1998.
Syed TA, Ahmad SA, Holt AH, et al. Management of psoriasis with Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Trop Med Int Health 1996;1:506-9.
