What is Aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant used for a wide variety of health conditions.
It has a long history of use, with written records dated 1750 BC.
You can get the gel from the Aloe leaf.
The mucilaginous gel that is most widely associated with aloe vera comes from the inner part of the leaf.
It is separated from the pericyclic tubules, specialized cells that are under the epidermis of the leaf.
Aloe vera gel is used for conditions like wound healing – both internal and external.
It is known to speed the healing of many skin injuries, including ulcers, burns, frostbite, and abrasions.
While used in juice form it relieves constipation because it can cause painful cramping, it should not be often used as gentler herbal laxatives.
Lower doses of aloe can be effective in preventing kidney stone formation or reducing their size.
Aloe vera is also known to be helpful in conditions like piles, where it can be effective as a stool softener.
Aloe vera juice also improves digestion by destroying many bacteria that cause infection.
As of now, you can find many commercial products using aloe in shampoos, conditioners & skin care.

What are the uses of Aloe vera?

Aloe vera is known to be a great source of vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin E, which are all important for wound healing.

Glycoproteins in aloe gel inhibit and break down bradykinin, a mediator of pain and inflammation.
Aloe gel also inhibits thromboxane, which also causes inflammation.

Aloe gel works by stimulating fibroblast and connective tissue formation, resulting in skin growth stimulation and repair as well.
It also increases blood flow to burned tissue, which helps it heal.

Along with other wound healing properties, Aloe gel is effective in healing diabetic leg ulcers.
Aloe also benefits by lowering blood sugar levels.

Aloe has an active component called anthraquinones, known to prevent kidney stone formation.
It works by binding calcium in the urinary tract and reducing the growth rate of urinary calcium crystals, resulting in less kidney stone formation.

Aloe juice heals peptic ulcers by inhibiting pepsin when the stomach is empty, releasing it only to digest food.
It also heals and prevents other irritants from reaching the ulcer.
Aloe juice aids the digestive process by increasing gastric pH, reducing yeast infections, and improving water retention.

Aloe has an antiviral compound named Acemannan.
Also known as a powerful immune system stimulant.
It enhances macrophage activity, the function of T cells, and interferon production.

The dosage for dry aloe extract is very small (50 to 200 mg).
General use – dosage of gel or juice 2 tbsp
Kidney stone prevention – 2 to 3 tbsp daily
Laxative purposes – 500 to 1,000 mg daily (care should be taken that laxative doses of aloe are accompanied by carminative herbs to prevent griping)
Burns or wound healing, topically – aloe vera gel applied liberally (fresh gel from aloe plant is best)
Hemorrhoids – as a stool softener dry aloe extract, 0.05 to 0.2 g
Constipation – 20 to 30 mg

Aloe gel is safe for external use unless it causes a rare allergic reaction.
If you are using aloe vera for the first time you can check the reaction on your skin, by applying a small amount of topical aloe on your forearm.
Keeping it there for at least 2 hours will give you an idea about allergic reactions.
Discontinue aloe if it irritates the skin.
Aloe is not useful for the treatment of deep, vertical wounds (e.g. cesarean incision).
Its latex use may cause severe intestinal cramps or diarrhea.

Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not consume aloe without a doctor’s consultation.
It may cause uterine contractions and trigger miscarriage.
Contraindicated for gastrointestinal illness, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin.
May aggravate ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
If taken over a long time, it can cause dependence or disturbance of electrolyte balance.
May cause urine to turn a harmless red color.
Should not be used for children under 12.

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