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Soothing Aloe Vera

By: Varian Sperks

Most people know that aloe vera can be used on skin cuts, abrasions, or sunburn. But did you know that it can also aid in healing your internal problems? There are some forgotten secrets to this ancient medicinal plant.

The herbal remedy aloe vera comes from the plant, aloe. Originally found in Africa, the aloe vera herbal plant is also called the "lily of the desert," the "plant of immortality," and the "medicine plant." Liquid that comes from the plant has a bitter taste or "alloeh" in Arabic, hence the name.

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.

Early Applications

The use of aloe vera as an herbal or medical treatment is evident as early as 1500 BC. It's believed that Egyptians used the plant to treat burns, parasites and infections.

Aloe Believed to Aid Healing

Evidently, the juice of the aloe vera plant yields certain substances, called aloes, which are good purgatives. Some species of the aloe, including the Aloe venenosa, are not recommended as they may produce poisonous juices. Most species, however, such as the A. vera, vulgaris, socotrina, chinensis, and perryi contain aloes that offer 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.

Herbal Juice

Like most succulents, the aloe vera plant is composed of about 96 percent water. The remaining 4 percent consists of active ingredients including essential oils, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and glycoproteins. The many active constituents present in the aloe vera plant have prompted many modern healers to implement it into their liquid health treatments. The aloe vera herbal juice is usually combined with other medicinal plants in order to increase its potency. Those who use it believe that the juice of the aloe vera produces a relieving effect on digestive tract irritations caused by peptic ulcers, colitis and other digestive disorders.

Herbal Supplements

With its many vitamins and minerals, aloe vera is perfect as an herbal food supplement. It helps aid digestion and assists in blood and lymphatic circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplement is also thought to improve kidney, liver, and gall bladder functions.

The plant has at least three fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids make the aloe vera herbal supplement beneficial for the stomach, small intestine, and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent an excess of acidity, which is a common cause of indigestion.

Aloe vera is an ancient plant, long respected for its many healing and soothing properties. For this reason, aloe is one treatment that no modern medicine cabinet should be without.

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

Author Varian Sperks enjoys writing for some of today's popular web zines, on family health and health product issues.
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