Overview

Aloe vera is a plant in the desert lily family with a long history of medicinal use. It’s referenced in both the Bible and in Egyptian records as a topical treatment to help speed healing, and as a digestive aid. The fleshy leaves of the aloe vera plant contain a medicinal gel that has been used for centuries to help promote wound healing, soothe burns and reduce inflammation from minor irritants.

Because of its long history of use and anecdotal evidence, aloe vera gel is one of the most widely accepted folk remedies by the traditional medical community. Research into its properties and chemical composition support the traditional health benefits of aloe vera gel, but the most exciting research is advancing the theory that aloe vera gel may help boost the body’s immune system functions, and provide important protections against many common ailments. There is additional preliminary evidence that suggests aloe vera gel and aloe vera extract may reduce the size of tumors, and help slow the process of AIDS.

What Aloe Vera Gel  Do:

The gel of the aloe vera plant is made up of amino acids, minerals, and sugars that help the body ward off infection, repair damage to tissues and reduce inflammation. Aloe vera gel contains nearly a full complement of B complex vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, as well as vitamin C, and choline. These vitamins help protect the body from damage and stimulate the immune system. Extract of the aloe vera plant also contains phytochemicals that may confer protection against cancer, inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract and ulcers.

Topically applied, aloe vera helps heal wounds by stimulating cell production and providing nutrients that the body needs to manufacture new cells. It’s reported that one teaspoon of aloe vera gel extract contains more than 75 different chemicals that stimulate some biological reaction in the body. These reactions include binding oxidative cells, creating new cell walls and retarding the growth of cancerous cells.

It’s speculated that aloe vera juice helps to clean the intestinal tract, and soothes inflammations, offering relief in cases of inflamed bowel such as those seen in irritable bowel syndrome. The various phytochemicals and minerals may provide a boost to the immune system which in turn help relieve symptoms of allergy and asthma due to allergy. It also seems to offer relief to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis when aloe vera juice is taken internally.

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel:

Speeds the healing of burns and other wounds

The most commonly reported use of aloe vera gel is to speed the healing of burns, abrasions and other skin injuries. The extract of the aloe vera plant contains many of the enzymes and amino acids that the body uses to heal and repair cells. In one study of 27 people with first degree burns, those who were treated with aloe vera gel healed in an average of 12 days. Those treated with a placebo took an average of 18 days to heal.

Relieve the symptoms of shingles

Topical application of aloe vera gel seems to ease the pain and inflammation caused by a shingles outbreak. There’s also evidence to suggest that it prevents infection of the blisters.

Reduce the symptoms of psoriasis

Aloe vera gel has been shown to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in several studies. In one group 83% of those whose psoriasis was treated with aloe vera gel three times a day showed significant improvement. Less than 6% of those treated with a placebo showed any improvement at all of their condition.

Relieves the pain and symptoms of digestive inflammatory diseases

While the use of aloe vera gel taken internally for the relief of heartburn, ulcers and inflammatory bowel syndrome goes back as far as the 6^th century BC, it is only recently that traditional medicine is catching up. The results of preliminary studies are promising and support the traditional uses of aloe vera gel. In one Japanese study, for instance, 17 of the 18 patients who were given an aloe vera supplement showed some improvement in the symptoms of their peptic ulcer.

Possible Side Effects of Aloe Vera Gel

There have been occasional reports of allergic reaction to aloe vera gel. Aside from those rare instances, there seem to be no side effects attributed to aloe vera gel, despite it’s long use.

Summary

Aloe vera juice and extracts have a long history of evidence to support their effectiveness at treating inflammation, helping to regulate and soothe the digestive system, treating intestinal and digestive ailments and boosting the immune system. The main caution in taking aloe vera internally is a warning to avoid internal preparations that may have been processed improperly.

Total Balance, a supplement from Xtend Life Natural Products, is a total nutritional supplement that is specially formulated to take all of your body’s needs into account. The inclusion of aloe vera extract in the Total Balance formula is carefully synergized to maximize the effects of each ingredient and provide you with the full benefit to be derived from each. We wholly recommend including Total Balance as a complete solution to your health supplementation needs.