DRINK IT.

Aloe is related to the lily family which includes turnips, onions, garlic, etc. The minerals and nutrients in aloe that are beneficial to human health are damaged and become inactive below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why aloe plants love the hot and arid climates that they grow in, like Southern California, Mexico, Australia, Africa, etc. Here they grow thousands of plants at once on aloe farms.

Most people know aloe for it’s abilities to help heal cuts and burns. Lignins in aloe help it penetrate the skin. Properties that influence aloe’s healing properties include:

Anti-Viral

Anti-bacterial

Anti-Cancer

Anti-inflammatory

Analgesic

There are so many useful components of aloe that these properties are attributed to.

The vasoactive substances that are in aloe help it to dilate the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the area.

The Lectins help in cell communication which influences processes on a cellular level, encouraging healing.

The enzymes in aloe are very beneficial to digestion and restoration of normal flora. This normal flora, or bacteria, in the gut is responsible in part for the absorption of nutrients.

Vitamins and minerals are very abundant in aloe, encouraging antioxidant activity.

Although aloe is great for external use, it is also great for internal use! The enzymes that promote digestion can be used for detoxifying the intestinal track when taken as the whole leaf juice. Also, research has shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe are great for reducing gastric ulcers and healing those that may already exist.

Also, Emodin, one biologically active component of aloe, was shown in research to induce the death of gastric carcinoma cells. This is one example of the anti-cancer effects of aloe.

Overall, aloe can be used internally and externally for healing.

When taking it internally, it can have laxative effects, and pregnant females are advised to avoid internal use of aloe during pregnancy.

By: Kaylee Hamar