Aloe vera

introduction

The real aloe vera is one of the Affodill family / Grass lily family. There are more than 200 species of the Affodilla family.

Originally probably on the arabian peninsula at home, you can also find them in the Mediterranean area and in India. Main growing area is today Mexico.

She is one of the oldest and Medicinal plants very well known today. She will too Desert lily called.

The Aloe ferox is a stately plant that grows up to 5 m can get high. At the top of the sturdy stems grows a wreath of lanceolate, fleshy leaves that can be up to 50 cm long. There are purple-colored spines on the edge, long, cylindrical flower clusters grow in the middle, the individual flowers are up to 3 cm long, usually pale pink.

The special thing about wild aloe vera is that it without water for months can get along. Your fleshy leaves can store a lot of waterwhat the plant feeds on in periods of drought.

The aloe's ability to store large amounts of water goes down to one gel-like structure back inside the leaves. This gel Not only does it store water, it also helps the plant to close up injuries to the bark.

Plant parts used medicinally

Is collected the bitter juice, which flows off when the leaves are cut. Layer the leaves in a jar and collect the juice (Aloe latex). This is then, usually in Water bath, thickened. When it cools, the juice solidifies and is then sold.
It is hardly ever needed in its pure form drops, Pills, or Suppositories added that as laxative are in trade.
The Gel from the inside of the leaf is not used as a medicine.

Ingredients

A yellow juice is squeezed out of the outer leaf parts (bark), too Aloe latex or Aloe juice called. It contains aloin and aloe emodin, both of which have a very bitter taste.
Inside the leaf (aloe vera gel) are found Single and multiple sugars, water-soluble vitamins, Amylase, alkaline phosphatase, Lipase and Salicylic acid, the Polysaccharide acemannan.

Those contained in the plant amino acids (Protein building blocks) are vital (essential), but cannot be produced by the body itself and must be supplied from outside with food. There are Leucine (promotes healing), Isoleucine (improves the immune system and promotes Muscle building), Valine (strengthens the annoy) and Lysine (promotes the formation of collagen in the skin, improves their elasticity and should Aging processes slow it down).

Included Enzymes should the Promote digestion and so-called make free radicals harmless.

Small amounts of essential oils how Saponins, Tannins and Salicylic acid have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Sterols can help the Cholesterol levels naturally lower.

The active ingredients contained in the leaf bark of the aloe Aloin A and B have a strong laxative effect, develop their effect in the Large intestine and can be part of laxatives, usually together with other laxatives. Due to the bitter substances they contain, both active substances can also stimulate bile secretion. Aloin A and B are very irritating.

Use in homeopathy

The homeopathy uses aloe from the dried juice of the leaves at Diarrhea and Flatulence with liver involvement, especially with morning diarrhea. Typical for those affected is the perceived great weakness after the diarrhea.
It is common to give potencies from D4 (D-potency = "dilution" in the range 1:10).

Side effects

In case of aloin overdose the kidneys can be damaged, the substance is also suspected carcinogenic to be. It comes to Symptoms of intoxicationthat are in cramping pain and severe diarrhea express. This can lead to life-threatening electrolyte and water losses. Also Pregnant women should not ingest aloe.

Plus, like everyone else Laxativesto avoid long-term use.

Most aloe vera products on the market contain only the gel and not the yellow juice, which can be thickened into a resin and contains the glycoside aloin.

From old records we learn that the aloe vera does 5000 years ago as a remedy has been used. The ability of the plant to survive long dry periods undamaged and Reseal injuries independently quickly led to the belief that this was a Medicinal plant had to act. It was believed in a special relationship to human skin.

The Egyptians referred to them as Plant of immortality or as Blood of the gods. Here the gel has already been used to treat the To care for skin.

Later, the warriors under Alexander the Great are said to have used the gel Heal Injuries.

Aloe vera gel

The gel comes from real aloe and is obtained from the water reservoir of the leaves. It contains Multiple and single sugars, water-soluble vitamins, amino acids, Lipase and Salicylic acid. With careful extraction and removal of the thick bark, the gel is free of the laxative aloin. This occurs outside of the water storage tissue in the yellow sap under the leaf bark.

For shelf life, methods like that are used Spray or freeze drying applied. In any case, follow the instructions for use for the individual products, because not every gel is automatically suitable for internal use.

In folk medicine, very many are used for aloe vera gel Possible applications described. For external use, for example:

• sunburn
• Burns and injuries
• Skin disorders such as Eczema, psoriasis, Herpes
• Insect bites
• Abrasions
• Badly healing wounds
• itching
• Inflammation of the gums

At sunburn the effect of the Aloe Verse gel is compared with that of Cortisone compared. It should be quick relief bring, have a cooling effect and the Accelerate the resolution of redness and pain.

The gel is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect, it should Promote cell reproduction effect and the Accelerate healing.

At Burn injurieswhich are extremely painful, the gel is said to promote healing and alleviate the discomfort.

Aloe vera gel is supposed to do that Wound healing after surgery promote. Here it should have a pain-relieving effect, the wounds should heal faster and become inflamed less often.

Radiation therapies often lead to significant Skin irritationthat worsen the quality of life of seriously ill patients.

By externally treating the irradiated areas with aloe vera gel from the start, they should Skin changes occur later and be less severe. It should also pain reliever Act.

When treating the psoriasis and Genital herpes positive results are said to have been achieved with aloe vera gel.

When used externally, you can Side effects such as burning and itching occur.

Internal use of aloe vera gel only after carefully studying the instructions for use; not all gels are suitable for ingestion.

Internal application is advertised at:

• Increased fat levels in the blood
• Irritable bowel syndrome, Flatulence
• Irritable stomach
• heartburn
• Vascular calcification
• immunodeficiency
• Elevated blood sugar levels

Aloe vera juice

That with water diluted aleo-vera gel is called juice. Most often the gel is obtained first and then water is removed from it. This dry concentrate has a long shelf life. The aloe vera juice is then created by adding water. Fresh juices, not made from concentrate and often in organic quality, are also available in stores.

The only scientifically proven effect of aloe vera is in the internal application as laxative in the anthraquinone-containing (aloin and aloe-emodin) preparation. Aloe is also approved as a drug. The strong irritant effect and the assumption that the active ingredient could be carcinogenic will lead to the recommendation to resort to other laxatives.

Aloe vera gel is called Anthraquinone-free product the Nutritional supplements assigned.

A wide variety of products that contain extracts from aloe vera are available in stores. From Tip in different flavors up to Body care cream , Sun cosmetics and Animal care product.