Aloe Vera is a plant that originates from southern Africa. It is often referred to as a “miracle plant” or a “natural healer.” Aloe Vera is a green plant with long thick heavy looking leaves that resembles a cactus. It is not a cactus however, but is instead a member of the lily family. Aloe Vera is also sometimes referred to as being the lily of the desert, the burn plant, and the elephant’s gall.
Aloe Vera is well documented for its ability to heal, as well as for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is a very succulent plant that can be grown inside or out. During the summer months, it benefits from being outdoors. As a home remedy, Aloe Vera has been used for many centuries for everything from treating burns to cuts to helping the digestive system.
Aloe Vera is soothing, and it is full of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The healing quality of Aloe Vera is due to the 18 amino acids it contains. Aloe Vera forms a protective layer over damaged skin and acts quickly to facilitate the healing process. Aloe Vera also is full of moisture, and it therefore hydrates the skin and replenishes moisture that has been lost. This makes it especially beneficial when it comes to the treatment of a sunburn. Aloe Vera is useful for treating first-degree burns, as well as minor second-degree burns.
The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant house a clear gel. When a leaf is broken off from the plant, the gel runs out and can be applied directly to skin that has been burned, scraped or cut. The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant can also be used in another manner as well. They can be crushed up and then used as a salve.
The green part of the Aloe Vera leaf, which is the portion that surrounds the gel of the plant, can be removed from the plant and made into a juice or a dried substance that is called Aloe latex.
Aloe latex contains very strong laxative properties. This is good news if you are in need of a laxative but not so good if you are not. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulated the use of over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products such as aloin, aloe-emodin and barbaloin for many years. In 2002, the FDA required that all of these products either could no longer be sold or they had to be reformulated. The reason for this was because the manufacturers had not provided adequate data on the safety of these products for human consumption.
One such Aloe Vera product that contains no laxative whatsoever is the pill known as Aloeride. Aloeride is 100 percent pure pharmaceutical grade Aloe Vera and can be purchased by way of the Internet. Aloeride can also be obtained by way of a prescription from a doctor.
Aloe Vera gel is found in hundreds of skincare products, and in fact, the US FDA has approved it as a natural form of food flavoring.
