Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a common plant with a home in many households. Used mainly for burns, cuts and minor skin abrasions, Aloe may be the perfect complement to any detoxification program; with the cooling, soothing, emulsification properties, aloe helps heal the stomach and bowel walls, providing powerful anti-inflammatory and hydration actions. Aloe helps to increase peristaltic action while soothing and calming inflamed tissue.
Aloe is also an excellent cosmetic. As an Esthetician I am always on the lookout for exceptional skin and when I see it if it’s appropriate I ask about the person’s diet, skin care routine, and inquire what their “secrets” may be. I once had a client with quite youthful skin and she revealed to me her secret was using aloe on her face day and night. She kept several aloe plants in her home and used it fresh. I think this must have contributed to the effects; the fresh leaf contains the life force, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids in intact.
Keywords:
* Nutrient Rich * Anti-Inflammatory * Promotes Youthfulness * Soothing and Moisturizing * Spiritual Upliftment * Protection and Good Luck * Improves Digestion * Relieves Inflammatory Skin Conditions* Spiritual Rejuvenation *
Uses: Externally: Use gel on dry, inflamed skin, or for increased collagen production and more youthful skin. Internally: Scoop out gel and use internally for improved digestion and.
Spiritual Uses: The frequency vibration that aloe Vera has is mystical. The main use of Aloe Vera is to re-calibrate the body’s frequency system. This is done on a DNA level. It gets the body’s cells to follow the normal instructions within the DNA. Aloe Vera is used to turn off incorrect DNA instructions. (Parke)
Botanical Name: Aloe Vera
Sanskrit Name / Ayurveda Name: Kumari
Family: Lilliaceae
Parts Used: Leaves
Native Region and Geographic Distribution: Originally found on Canary Islands; grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. In India, it is found in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Can be grown in any kitchen window around the world.
Anatomy
The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers: 1) an inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. 2) The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides. 3) The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem).
Cultivation: Aloe prefers a gravelly, well-drained, infertile soil. It likes full sun but is tolerant of shady windowsills. It requires very little water. Offsets at the plant base can be separated and repotted.
Harvesting Guidelines: Use a knife or scissors to remove what you intend to use. Slice open the leaves and scoop the gel out with a spoon or knife. The leaves may be opened up and used to massage the gel straight onto the skin.
History
The Aloe Vera plant has been known and used for centuries. It is a true gift from nature. Ancient Records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known for centuries with its therapeutic advantages and healing properties. Many ancient works including the Bible refer to the use of Aloe. 6000 years old carvings of the Aloe Vera plant were discovered in Egypt. It was considered the “Plant of immortality”, and was offered as a burial gift to the deceased Pharaohs. The medicinal use of Aloe was mentioned more than 4000 years ago in a collection of Sumerian clay tablets dated 2100 B.C. The first detailed discussion of Aloe’s medicinal value is likely that which is found in the Papyrus Ebers, an Egyptian document written around 1550 B.C. Egyptian queen Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldier’s wounds. Celsius, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder and many other writers have described the properties of Aloe Vera in their books.
The name Aloe Vera derives from the Arabic word “Aloe” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “Vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe Vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.” Today, the Aloe Vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. Aloe Vera has been used for medicinal purposes in several cultures for millennia: Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan and China. The first reference to Aloe Vera in English was a translation by John Goodyew in A.D. 1655 of Dioscorides’ Medical treatise De Materia Medica.2 By the early 1800s, Aloe Vera was in use as a laxative in the United States, but in the mid-1930s, a turning point occurred when it was successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation dermatitis.
Active components with its properties: Aloe Vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
Actions:
Healing properties: Glucomannan, a mannose-rich polysaccharide, and gibberellin, a growth hormone, interacts with growth factor receptors on the fibroblasts, thereby stimulating its activity and proliferation, which in turn significantly increases collagen synthesis after topical and oral Aloe. Aloe gel not only increased collagen content of the wound but also changed collagen composition (more type III) and increased the degree of collagen cross linking.
Anti-inflammatory action: Aloe Vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Recently, the novel anti-inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from gel extracts.
Laxative effects: Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative. It increases intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretion and increases intestinal peristalsis.
Antiviral and anti-tumor activity: These actions may be due to indirect or direct effects. Indirect effect is due to stimulation of the immune system and direct effect is due to anthraquinones. The anthraquinone aloin inactivates various enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster and influenza.
Moisturizing and anti-aging effect: Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblasts which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where aloe Vera gel gloves improved the skin integrity, decreases appearance of fine wrinkle and decreases erythema. It also has anti-acne effect.
Antiseptic effect: Aloe Vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family.
(Nicholson, 2017)
Aloe is also an excellent cosmetic. As an Esthetician I am always on the lookout for exceptional skin and when I see it if it’s appropriate I ask about the person’s diet, skin care routine, and inquire what their “secrets” may be. I once had a client with quite youthful skin and she revealed to me her secret was using aloe on her face day and night. She kept several aloe plants in her home and used it fresh. I think this must have contributed to the effects; the fresh leaf contains the life force, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids in intact.
Keywords:
* Nutrient Rich * Anti-Inflammatory * Promotes Youthfulness * Soothing and Moisturizing * Spiritual Upliftment * Protection and Good Luck * Improves Digestion * Relieves Inflammatory Skin Conditions* Spiritual Rejuvenation *
Uses: Externally: Use gel on dry, inflamed skin, or for increased collagen production and more youthful skin. Internally: Scoop out gel and use internally for improved digestion and.
Spiritual Uses: The frequency vibration that aloe Vera has is mystical. The main use of Aloe Vera is to re-calibrate the body’s frequency system. This is done on a DNA level. It gets the body’s cells to follow the normal instructions within the DNA. Aloe Vera is used to turn off incorrect DNA instructions. (Parke)
Botanical Name: Aloe Vera
Sanskrit Name / Ayurveda Name: Kumari
Family: Lilliaceae
Parts Used: Leaves
Native Region and Geographic Distribution: Originally found on Canary Islands; grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. In India, it is found in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Can be grown in any kitchen window around the world.
Anatomy
The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers: 1) an inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. 2) The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides. 3) The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem).
Cultivation: Aloe prefers a gravelly, well-drained, infertile soil. It likes full sun but is tolerant of shady windowsills. It requires very little water. Offsets at the plant base can be separated and repotted.
Harvesting Guidelines: Use a knife or scissors to remove what you intend to use. Slice open the leaves and scoop the gel out with a spoon or knife. The leaves may be opened up and used to massage the gel straight onto the skin.
History
The Aloe Vera plant has been known and used for centuries. It is a true gift from nature. Ancient Records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known for centuries with its therapeutic advantages and healing properties. Many ancient works including the Bible refer to the use of Aloe. 6000 years old carvings of the Aloe Vera plant were discovered in Egypt. It was considered the “Plant of immortality”, and was offered as a burial gift to the deceased Pharaohs. The medicinal use of Aloe was mentioned more than 4000 years ago in a collection of Sumerian clay tablets dated 2100 B.C. The first detailed discussion of Aloe’s medicinal value is likely that which is found in the Papyrus Ebers, an Egyptian document written around 1550 B.C. Egyptian queen Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldier’s wounds. Celsius, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder and many other writers have described the properties of Aloe Vera in their books.
The name Aloe Vera derives from the Arabic word “Aloe” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “Vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe Vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.” Today, the Aloe Vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. Aloe Vera has been used for medicinal purposes in several cultures for millennia: Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan and China. The first reference to Aloe Vera in English was a translation by John Goodyew in A.D. 1655 of Dioscorides’ Medical treatise De Materia Medica.2 By the early 1800s, Aloe Vera was in use as a laxative in the United States, but in the mid-1930s, a turning point occurred when it was successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation dermatitis.
Active components with its properties: Aloe Vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
Actions:
Healing properties: Glucomannan, a mannose-rich polysaccharide, and gibberellin, a growth hormone, interacts with growth factor receptors on the fibroblasts, thereby stimulating its activity and proliferation, which in turn significantly increases collagen synthesis after topical and oral Aloe. Aloe gel not only increased collagen content of the wound but also changed collagen composition (more type III) and increased the degree of collagen cross linking.
Anti-inflammatory action: Aloe Vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Recently, the novel anti-inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from gel extracts.
Laxative effects: Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative. It increases intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretion and increases intestinal peristalsis.
Antiviral and anti-tumor activity: These actions may be due to indirect or direct effects. Indirect effect is due to stimulation of the immune system and direct effect is due to anthraquinones. The anthraquinone aloin inactivates various enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster and influenza.
Moisturizing and anti-aging effect: Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblasts which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where aloe Vera gel gloves improved the skin integrity, decreases appearance of fine wrinkle and decreases erythema. It also has anti-acne effect.
Antiseptic effect: Aloe Vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family.
(Nicholson, 2017)
Resources & Recommended
Additional Sources Cited:
Amar Surjushe, R. V. (2008, March Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai - 400 008 Maharashtra, India). Aloe Vera: A Short Review. Retrieved December 1, 2018, from Indian Journal of Dermatology: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/?report=printable
Nicholson, B. (2017, December 11). Materia Medica Aloe Vera. Retrieved from http://www.sunoven.com/materia-medica-aloe-vera/
Parke, M. (n.d.). Hub Pages. Retrieved from https://hubpages.com/health/Spiritual-Uses-of-The-aloe-Vera-Plant
Amar Surjushe, R. V. (2008, March Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai - 400 008 Maharashtra, India). Aloe Vera: A Short Review. Retrieved December 1, 2018, from Indian Journal of Dermatology: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/?report=printable
Nicholson, B. (2017, December 11). Materia Medica Aloe Vera. Retrieved from http://www.sunoven.com/materia-medica-aloe-vera/
Parke, M. (n.d.). Hub Pages. Retrieved from https://hubpages.com/health/Spiritual-Uses-of-The-aloe-Vera-Plant