Awesome aloe

The health benefits of the aloe vera plant (Aloe barbadensis) have been well known for over 5,000 years. Today, aloe is popularly used for a variety of ailments, although its value has been largely ignored by Western medicine because of a perceived lack of scientific evidence about its use.

Part of the problem is that the aloe plant is complex. When a leaf of aloe vera is sliced across, you will see three distinct parts: an outer rind covered with a thick cuticle, a thin layer beneath that exudes a yellow sap, and the interior of the leaf filled with a clear mucilaginous gel called aloe gel. These different areas all have different properties.

Various formulations of whole aloe leaves, the sap or the aloe gel have been used for a variety of problems without a clear understanding of the plant. Because of ignorance, most methods of processing the plant create products that do not consistently produce desired results. For example, the yellow sap contains anthraquinone, a laxative with a sometimes irritating effect. In addition, the healing properties of fresh aloe decreases very rapidly, especially when exposed to air and heat. Fresh home-made preparations should be used immediately and should not be heated. I recommend using high quality, scientifically prepared aloe vera products for convenience and for their potency.

What's in Aloe

The plant carries substantial amounts of essential vitamins, minerals and eighteen amino acids, but it also contains some unique polysaccharides and glyconutrients with special properties. There may be no single ingredient that makes Aloe so useful. Researchers believe that many different groups of nutrients work together to make the plant effective. This means that Aloe's effects cannot be synthesised easily in a laboratory but this also makes the plant useful in a wide variety of situations.

Aloe has healing, soothing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It improves the function of the digestive and immune systems and has powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

The Health Benefits of Aloe

Digestive System Disorders: Many digestive disorders including gastritis, peptic ulcers, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, colitis and Crohn's disease, benefit from aloe used internally. I use a high-quality aloe drink, specially formulated to retain its potent healing properties while removing any unpleasant taste. It is also a useful colon cleansing agent while improving the digestion and absorption of food.

Skin and hair care

Skin disorders like eczema, skin rashes, acne, burns, cuts, bruises, insect bites, ulcers and sores all benefit from the application of aloe gel. I use a formulation that is odourless, does not discolour or stain and is stabilised to retain its potency.

Aloe gel's anti-inflammatory properties as well as its cool and soothing effects can bring instant relief to painful or irritated skin conditions.

I also strongly recommend natural aloe-based skin and hair products ranging from aloe soaps, gels, shampoos and conditioners to facial cleansers, toners and moisturisers.

Immune System Problems

Because it enhances immune function, aloe is useful in all kinds of inflammatory disorders, allergies, autoimmune diseases, chronic infections and cancer. Researchers have particularly focused on using special polysaccharides and glyconutrients found in aloe for these conditions. Interestingly, some cancer patients report that consuming aloe seems to reduce nausea, increase their energy, and help to minimise low blood counts caused by chemotherapy or radiation.

Side Effects of Aloe

Aloe is extremely safe and non-toxic. Although it should be removed, some aloe vera juice preparations may contain some of the laxative compound found in the aloe sap. This may produce cramps or diarrhoea and should not be used.

Jeremiah Herlihy, PhD, of the University of San Antonio, in 1997 studied the side effects of drinking aloe. Tests in animals receiving daily aloe showed no negative effects but rather a remarkable reduction in cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease. Aloe-drinking animals actually lived 25 per cent longer than those in the control group (IASC Conference, Texas, 1997). The various elements in aloe are nutrients, not drugs. Aloe may safely complement medical treatments.

You may email Dr Tony Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. The programme streams live on the Internet.