The Science of Aloe Vera

The Science of Aloe Vera

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“If Aloe Vera were to be discovered today, and its remarkable healing properties investigated, it would be hailed as the ‘wonder drug of the century’.”

– Dr. Ivan Danhof, Ph.D., M.D.

General Properties of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural product derived directly from the plant’s leaves. It is so effective in its natural state that no compelling reason has been found to lavish time and money on developing a synthetic version.

In fact, Aloe Vera is so chemically complex that it would be extremely difficult to make it artificially. It is an amazing mixture of more than 200 constituents, including polysaccharides (a complex carbohydrate), enzymes (complex proteins), glycoproteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

Aloe has been proven to:

  • reduce inflammation
  • speed the healing of wounds
  • ameliorate pain
  • improve vascular flow
  • reduce scarring

Its healing properties are linked to the high concentration of large molecular weight polysaccharides.

Benefits for the Skin

  1. Pain Inhibitor

    It penetrates deeply and eases inflammation.

  2. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

    Aloe’s anthraquinones and salicylates has the same anti-inflammatory and pain-killing agents found in aspirin.

  3. HEALING ACTION

    High levels of calcium, potassium, zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin E accelerate the healing process by promoting the formation of a net of fibres that trap the blood’s red corpuscles.

  4. KERATOLYTIC ACTION

    This means damaged skin is replaced with new skin cells. Aloe also helps the free flow of blood through veins and arteries, clearing them of small blood clots.

  5. Antibiotic Action (Antimicrobial Activity)

    Aloe can stop many bacteria, such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus, that produce pus.

  6. CELL REGENERATION

    The presence of calcium in Aloe regulates the amount of liquid in the cells, thus maintaining internal and external equilibrium and creating healthy cells in all body tissues.

  7. REHYDRATION OF SKIN

    Aloe restores lost liquids and repairs damaged tissue resulting from burns and sunburns. The work of Dr. Faith Strickland of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas even suggests that it not only stops the damage done to the immune system, but can actually restore the system to full working order.

Summary of Benefits

Aloe has been proven to:

  • Treats pimples & acne and reduces the possibility of scars
  • Reduces or removes scars & brown skin spots
  • Makes hair more manageable and improves condition of scalp
  • Cures mouth ulcers
  • Stops bleeding and itching for hemorrhoids & piles
  • Treats rashes, cuts, wounds, bruises
  • Controls itching by inhibiting histamine reactions produced by insect bites
  • Alleviates pain from burns and prevents blisters
  • Reduces pain, stiffness and peeling from sunburn
  • Helps to improve stretch marks
  • Relieves arthritis

Supporting Research on Aloe Vera Gel

In one study that involved 18 people with facial dermabrasion, researchers applied the usual wound dressing on one side of each face, and the same dressing soaked in Aloe gel on the other.

The Aloe dressing produced less swelling after two days, less crusting by day four and 90% skin regrowth by day six, compared to only 40%-50% on the Aloe-free side. Aloe also appeared to reduce throbbing. The researchers believe that Aloe speeded up overall wound healing time by three days.

According to Dr. Varro Tyler, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacology at Purdue University, “Evidence seems to indicate that something in Aloe Vera inhibits the action of bradykinin, a peptide that produces pain in injuries like burns. It also inhibits the body’s production of thromboxanes, chemicals detrimental to wound healing.”