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Aloe Vera (Asphodelaceae)
Also Known as, Medicine Plant, Burn Plant, True Aloe

Aloe vera (syn. A. barbadensis) is a species of Aloe native to northern Africa. Formerly of the family Aloaceae and Liliaceae, the genus has been re-classified under the APG II system (2003) and assigned to the family Asphodelaceae. It is a succulent perennial that has a ‘cactus-like’ appearance with tough, fleshy, grey-green leaves that taper to a sharp point. The leaves have small spiny teeth along their margins, and arise directly from the root, and grow in circular clusters. The plant grows up to 100 cm tall with yellow, tubular flowers appear in spring to early summer, and are produced on a branching stalk.

Of over 300 species of the genus aloe, there are only a few that have been traditionally used in herbal medicine. These include A. barbadensis (Barbados or Curacoa aloe), A. ferox (Cape aloe) and A. perryi (Socotrine or Zanzibar aloe). A. barbadensis is the most popular commercially.

Aloe vera has an ancient medical history, and what is believed to be the first references to its healing powers were found written on a Sumerian clay tablet dating back to 2200 B.C. that was unearthed during the excavations of the ancient city of Nippur. Other early references to aloe as a medicinal plant can be found in the Ebers Papyrus, dating from 1550 B.C. that contained some 700 formulas and remedies, of which aloe was used to treat burns, ulcers, allergies, skin diseases, worms, headaches, and to soothe chest pains.

The Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality” which may account for the numerous drawings and paintings of the aloe vera plant that have been found in ancient temples and tombs. In both Egypt and Mesopotamia, aloe was believed to have the power to protect against evil influences, and it was common practice to hang a piece of aloe in the doorway of their houses to prevent evil spirits from entering.

Aloe vera was highly prized by the Greeks for its medicinal values. So much so that according to one legend, the Greek philosopher Aristotle urged Alexander the Great to conquer Socotra, a tiny island off the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean, where it was reported that aloes grew in great abundance, which meant that Alexander’s armies would have a plentiful supply to treat their wounds.

The first detailed description of the plant was by the Greek physician Dioscorides (A.D.40-90) who described the juices (aloe latex) as having the power to induce sleep, loosen the belly and cleanse the stomach. He also went on to note that it was good for healing bruises, mouth, throat and eye irritations and could stop bleeding from wounds. Later Pliny the Elder (A.D.23-79) confirmed Dioscorides findings and found that aloe vera also healed leprosy sores and appeared to reduce perspiration.

Arab traders were probably responsible for its spread to India and the Far East. The Chinese called it “the harmonic remedy” and used it for sinusitis and skin conditions. In India, the people thought the plant grew in the Garden of Eden. Women used it daily to maintain beauty and to counteract the signs of ageing, and even today aloe vera in Sanskrit is called Kumari meaning “goddess”. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was said to have attributed aloe to be one of the forces that sustained him during his long fasts. In Ayurvedic medicine, aloe gel is considered an important tonic for excess pitta meaning “fire”.

The plant was introduced into Europe during the 10th century, and over time became an important ingredient in many herbal remedies. Aloe arrived in the Americas during the 15th century with the Spanish missionaries, and in the West Indies at the beginning of the 16th century where it is still widely grown today.

By the end of the 19th century, aloe vera lost its popularity amongst the medical community in Europe and North America. Scientists found that the plant was only effective when it was fresh, and for countries that were unable to grow it, had to rely on imported plants. Unfortunately they didn’t have the processing techniques that we have today, and together with the length of time it took to ship from one country to another, the plant had degraded and lost most of its healing properties.

In 1953 the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission conducted experiments using aloe vera to treat atomic burns. After months of testing, it was found that aloe hastened the degenerative and reparative phases of the lesions, and complete healing was effected within two months.

The degradation of the fresh pulp had always been a major obstacle, and many processing techniques were tried but failed, until a Texas pharmacist, Bill C. Coats finally succeeded in the late 1950′s. He found that by incubating the pulp at different temperatures for three days and then adding vitamins C, E, and sorbitol, the pulp remained stable. This major discovery finally opened the doors for commercialization.

Medicinal Properties And Uses

Throughout history aloe vera’s value has been divided into two distinct therapeutic roles. The sap as a purgative and the leaf gel for healing wounds etc.

Aloe latex, which is also known as drug aloe, aloe sap, or aloe juice (not to be confused with products containing aloe gel which are also sold as a juice), is a bitter yellow liquid that is obtained from the outer layers of the leaf, and sold as a laxative. The sap contains twelve anthraquinones, phenolic compounds that stimulate the bowel, aid absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract, and have anti-microbial and pain killing effects. The two most important anthraquinones are Aloin and Emodin, which are antibacterial, antiviral and analgesic. Aloe latex should only be used sparingly and preferably under medical supervision, as high concentrations can be toxic to cells and will cause severe cramping and diarrhoea. It is not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Aloe Vera gel is the colourless mucilaginous gel found inside the fleshy leaves. Even though the gel is mainly made up of water, it is also rich in chemical compounds and these include :

• Amino Acids – Every cell in the body needs and uses amino acids and the human body requires 22 of them. There are two types of amino acids; essential and nonessential. The body can manufacture nonessential amino acids but must obtain the eight essential amino acids from the foods we eat. The gel provides 20 amino acids, 7 of which are essential amino acids.
• Enzymes – Proteins that act as catalysts and speed up specific chemical reactions and processes in the body, such as digestion and energy production. The gel contains a number of enzymes, the most active being; phosphatase, bradykinase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, catalase and lipase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation and therefore reduces pain.
• Vitamins – A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E, Folic acid and choline. Combination of vitamins A, C and E provides anti-oxidant effects.
• Minerals – Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Selenium, Sodium Potassium, and Zinc.
• Monosaccharides – Contain simple sugars which include glucose, and are readily broken down by enzyme action and absorbed by the body.
• Polysaccharides – These are more complex long-chain sugars involving glucose and mannose, or the gluco-mannans. These sugars have the ability to retain their structure when ingested and are not broken down like other sugars, and appear in the blood stream in exactly the same form. This process is known as pinocytosis. Scientists worldwide believe that this is the key to aloe vera’s unique healing and immuno-stimulating properties. Some of the polysaccharides are not absorbed by the body, and stick to certain cells that line the gut and form a barrier preventing absorption of unwanted material, so helping to prevent a “leaking” gut syndrome. One polysaccharide in particular, Acemannan, has now been shown to be highly effective as an immune stimulant, and as well as being antiviral, it also stimulates the production of macrophages (large white blood cells) and increases the capacity of T-lymphocytes by up to 50%.
• Lignin – This is a cellulose substance that seems to give aloe vera its powerful penetrative properties.
• Salicylic Acid – An aspirin-like compound with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and pain killing properties.
• Saponins – These are natural soapy substances that have both cleansing and antiseptic properties. Saponins are antimicrobial and act powerfully against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts.
• Sterols – These are naturally occurring plant steroids with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, and include Beta sitosterol, Lupeol, Campesterol.

Main Benefits of Aloe Gel

Traditionally, and many households keep a plant growing in the kitchen just for this purpose, it is used as a topical first aid treatment for minor burns, sunburns, cuts and abrasions. The gel is particularly helpful when applied to damaged skin. It provides an airproof seal to prevent the wound from drying out, and at the same time dilates the capillaries allowing increased blood flow to the injury, thus speeding up the healing process. It is also antibacterial and antifungal.

It has been shown to be an effective treatment for many skin diseases including, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and skin ulcers. The gel is beneficial for mild cases of frostbite, as well as relieving the pain and itchiness caused by shingles.

In my experience the ‘fresh’ gel works best, and I have also used it for nosebleeds (only mild to moderate type bleeds). If the bleed is not too far up the nostril, and you can reach the site of the bleed with your finger, I have found the gel stops the bleeding very quickly.

The other traditional use for the gel is for gastrointestinal problems. When taken internally (either the fresh gel or juice made from the gel) it helps to re-balance the intestines by regulating gastrointestinal pH whilst improving motility. It soothes the lining of the intestine, making bowel movements easier and reduces high levels of fecal micro-organisms, including yeast.

Research has shown that people who suffered from indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, colitis and excessive acid stomach have reported relief from these conditions by taking Aloe Vera juice. Improvements also seen include; reduced bloating after meals and reduced flatulence.

The use of aloe in dentistry has been reported to be extremely helpful in the treatment of various dental problems. It has been found to be an effective treatment for gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) by reducing swelling of the soft tissues and bleeding of the gums. It is highly antiseptic in gum pockets where normal cleaning is difficult.

It soothes and heals gum tissues that have been damaged by over-zealous brushing, sharp foods, dental floss and toothpicks. Applied to extraction sites, prevents dry sockets from developing. Its antifungal properties help with ‘denture stomatitis, a form of thrush suffered by denture wearers. It can also be used around dental implants to control inflammation. The various forms used in dentistry are, toothpaste, gel, gel juice (can be used as a mouthwash before swallowing), and spray (used for throat infections and painful wisdom teeth).

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints and the surrounding tissues, have found benefit from taking the gel juice internally, as well as applying the gel topically to the painful joint on a daily basis. They have found that they have been able to reduce the number of anti-inflammatory and pain killing drugs, to a level where they ceased to get the usual side-effects of abdominal pain and indigestion.

As with arthritis sufferers, some asthma patients have benefited also from the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe. Taking the juice internally on a daily basis, patients were able to cut down on their usage of inhalers including the steroid inhalers.

Ongoing research is being carried out on the anti-cancer effects of acemannan, a polysaccharide found in aloe vera. Although research is limited to animal studies at the moment, it shows that when acemannan is given as an adjuntive therapy whilst undergoing radiation, tumor shrinkage was accelerated and life expectancy extended. (http://www.jaaha.org/). Other studies show that acemannan increases cells’ production of nitric oxide (NO), an anti-cancer chemical strongly associated with the shrinking of cancer tumors.

Cultivation

Aloe vera is relatively easy to care for in frost-free climates, and requires well-drained sandy soil in full to partial sun. If planted in a pot, or other containers ensure sufficient drainage with drainage holes. The use of a good quality commercial potting mix is recommended, to which extra perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand is added. Alternatively, pre-packaged ‘cacti and succulent mixes’ may be used. Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. During winter, A. vera may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.

Once established, the mother plant will send off shoots, which may be transplanted when they are at least 1 to 2 inches tall. The plant takes approximately four years to reach maturity and has a lifespan of about 12 years. The leaves can be harvested every 6-8 weeks by removing 3 to 4 leaves per plant.

IASC Certified Logo The International Aloe Science Council is a non-profit trade organisation for the Aloe vera industry world-wide. It was set up in the 1980′s due to abuse in the representation of the true amount of aloe in aloe products. For the consumer, the Certification Seal indicates that quality aloe has been used to formulate the product. In addition, the finished product has also met all qualifications for certification. While there are many products on the market claiming to contain Aloe Vera, only those certified by the IASC have passed a third party verification of product purity. This is important to ensure that the product being used is pure and provides 100% of the natural benefits that consumers expect from Aloe Vera. Visit www.iasc.org to find the companies whose finished products have received IASC certification.

Applications

Fresh Gel – This is the best and the most effective application. It can be used topically and internally. The taste is slightly bitter on its own; to overcome this, mix it with juice or a fruit smoothie. Dosage: It is best to start off with two teaspoons of gel a day to ensure that you have no adverse reactions, then slowly increasing it to a maximum of six teaspoons a day. How to Harvest Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

Commercial Gel/Juice – If you are buying the gel or the juice made from the gel, ensure that the product contains at least 98% aloe vera gel. It can never be 100% because the product is stabilised and preservatives are added to increase shelf-life.

Cream/ointment – When buying a product containing aloe, make sure that it contains a minimum of 20% A.vera. In making your own skin care products you can use the gel to replace all or a portion of the water your recipe calls for. Just remember, if you are using fresh gel it will not keep for very long as it has not been stabilized, so make smaller amounts, store in the fridge, and use it as quickly as possible.

Capsules – These can either be powdered gel or powdered sap (aloe latex). It is essential that you make sure which one you are buying. As mentioned earlier, aloe latex is a powerful laxative and should be used under medical supervision.

Possible Side-effects

In very rare cases, some people get a mild allergic reaction using aloe gel topically in the form of a rash or itching. If this should occur, stop using it. The gel in the form of a juice may cause cramping or diarrhoea if it contains the laxative ingredient aloe latex, or it has passed its ‘use by’ date. Stop using it and buy a fresh supply. It is not to be taken internally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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