Soothing Aloe Vera

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Soothing Aloe Vera

Filed under: Plant

By: Varian Sperks

When you suffer from sunburn, snap a piece of aloe vera. If you're bothered by acid reflux, take a little aloe vera juice. When it comes to soothing the body inside and out, aloe vera is the new wonder drug; but there's nothing new about this ancient medical secret.

The aloe vera plant has given us many popular herbal remedies. A native African plant, aloe vera plant is known as "lily of the desert", "plant of immortality" and of course, "medicine plant." The name aloe is derived from the Arabic word "alloeh", meaning "bitter taste".

The Herb

The aloe vera plant belongs to the family Asphodelaceae with about 400 known species currently grown. Classified as succulent plants, aloe grows in the more arid parts of Africa and in the mountains of tropical Africa. The most distinguishing part of the aloe vera herbal plant is its leaves which are large, thick, and fleshy. The leaves are shaped like lances with a sharp apex and spines lining their margins.

Ancient History

As early as 1500 BC, Egyptians have noted the use of the aloe vera plant as treatment for burns, infections, and parasites.

Aloe Believed to Aid Healing

Many believe that the juice of the aloe vera plant yields certain substances, called aloes, which are good purgatives. Great care must be taken before ingesting the aloe plant as some species, including the Aloe venenosa, can produce poisonous juices. Most species, however, including A. vera, chinensis, perryi, socotrina and vulgaris, contain aloes that provide soothing, therapeutic benefits.

Aloe vera has been under medical scrutiny since the 1930s. Studies suggest that the clear gel of the aloe vera plant contain properties that have dramatic burn, wound and ulcer healing properties. When an affected area is coated with the gel-like substance, the wound is also safeguarded from infection-causing bacteria and other micro bodies, providing faster healing.

Aloe Vera Juice

The aloe vera plant, like most succulents, contains about 96 percent water. The remaining 4 percent of aloe vera is a combination of active ingredients including amino acids, enzymes, essential oils, glycoproteins, minerals and vitamins. Because of the many active constituents present in the aloe vera plant, modern healers often implement it into their liquid health treatments. Juice from the aloe vera is usually combined with other medicinal plants to increase its potency. Those who use aloe vera juice believe that it is able to relieve digestive tract irritations caused by colitis, peptic ulcers and other disorders.

Aloe Vera Supplements

The many vitamins and minerals that are found in aloe vera make it an ideal herbal supplement. Aloe vera supplements can aid in digestion, and may assist in blood and lymphatic circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplements may also improve gall bladder, kidney and liver function.

The aloe vera plant contains at least three fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties, making supplements beneficial for those with stomach, colon and small intestine problems. By naturally alkalizing digestive juices and preventing excess acidity, aloe vera supplements may also prevent these common causes of indigestion.

When discomfort hits you next, why not grab a piece of aloe? It is easy to grow, and looks very nice in the bathroom, for example. Modern medicine cabinets would all benefit from the healing properites of this ancient plant.

Contributor Varian Sperks is a writer for a variety of web sites, on skin care products and health and wellness subjects.Get your own completely unique content version of this article.