by S. Lee

 

Christopher Columbus called it “the doctor in the pot” and attempted to have aloe vera plants on all his ships. The Mayans considered it a magic plant. For centuries it has been used in many countries, including the United States, to treat both internal and external ailments. The American Indians included it among their sixteen sacred plants, cooking the leaves over hot coals and eating them. They also used the pulp to stop bleeding and heal wounds. The fermented gel was used to calm stomach pain, to clean the kidneys and bladder, to dissolve stones, stop coughs and ease pneumonia, and the Egyptians used aloe vera gel on their faces as a beauty treatment.

For years I have known aloe vera was beneficial and usually had an aloe plant in my home. I would cut off a piece of one of the leaves, cut the piece open and rub it on cuts, burns and insect bites. I knew it would promote healing and prevent scars, and I knew it would relieve the itch or pain of insect bites. But now that I have researched aloe vera, I am in awe of it!

The aloe vera plant is a member of the Lily family, but looks somewhat like a cactus. This succulent is usually 80 to 100 cm tall with thick fleshy leaves that are long and narrow. Aloe Vera makes a good houseplant and requires very little care. It is from the mid and lower portion of the leaves that the gel is harvested. When the leaf is cut open it will ooze a clear gel-like liquid within a few minutes. Simply rub the opened leaf on the infected area of the skin for most external uses. Refrigerate leaves after cutting them open if you plan to use them again. If you don’t happen to have an aloe plant handy, the next best thing is to use pure aloe vera gel, such as that in Beeyoutiful’s Aloe Vera Gelcaps. Simply puncture the gelcap and squeeze out the gel.

Aloe vera is so amazing there is an abundance of research showing the antibacterial, antifungal and antibiotic properties of it, as well as how it acts to reduce in?ammation and heal and regenerate cells. In cancer patients, taking aloe vera internally helps by activating the white blood cells and promoting the growth of non-cancerous cells. The National Cancer Institute has ordered increased testing on aloe vera. An injectable form of acemannan, one of the components from aloe vera, has been approved in the United States for treatment of cancer in dogs and cats.

An astonishing array of components found in aloe vera are bene?cial to the human body, including polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, biological stimulators, more than forty vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C and E, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc and six of the B vitamins, to name a few. Aloe vera also contains seven of the eight “essential” (since our bodies cannot manufacture them) amino acids, eleven of the sixteen remaining “secondary” amino acids contained in the human body and most (if not all) of the eight essential sugars (which are necessary for healthy cells). Plus, there are numerous bactericides, fungicides, germicides and painkilling agents in aloe vera. Study continues on this amazing plant with new components still being isolated and identi?ed.

In 1985 Dr. Bill McAnalley isolated a polysaccharide taken from the aloe vera which he named Carrisyn. Numerous clinical tests on patients with AIDS show that Carrisyn can stop the progression of the virus and showed no secondary side e?ects. Canadian researchers discovered an active molecule possessing remarkable antiviral properties which they named Acemannon. A Japanese doctor has shown that the bradykinase enzyme is responsible for the remarkable anti-pain, calming and healing action of aloe vera.

In 1996 a research study showed that taking aloe vera internally reduced blood sugar levels in diabetics by as much as 48%. Recently an active molecule in aloe has been discovered which gives a very astounding result in the treatment of burns and atomic radiation. Another recent finding is that aloe vera stimulates the production of collagen, which in turn promotes and restores skin cells.

Other clinical research shows its e?ectiveness, when taken internally, in treating and relieving sciatica, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, ulcers, liver and kidney problems, TB, prostate problems, sores in the mouth, urinary infections, yeast infections, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis, any internal in?ammation, constipation, asthma, cleaning out the colon and more. It is even being used to preserve fresh produce!

A few years ago, someone suggested that my son should drink aloe vera juice to relieve in?ammation in his digestive system. He didn’t like the taste of that juice and would not drink it. But, he would take the gel capsules and he felt much better. Now that I have learned all that aloe vera can do, I am taking the recommended amount of capsules every day and my digestion is greatly improved. I know it is also doing other really good things for my body and my general health.

Studies have shown that applying aloe vera gel to the skin aids healing from minor cuts and abrasions not only by acting as an invisible bandage, but by killing germs and stimulating the growth of healthy cells while soothing and eliminating pain. On insect bites and rashes it reduces or eliminates itching and pain. It helps clear acne because of its antibacterial and cell regenerating properties. It can even be used e?ectively on eye infections such as conjunctivitis and sties, sunburns and other minor burns, blisters, herpes, boils, athlete’s foot, vaginal infections, shingles, frostbite, warts, rosacea, cracked dry skin, wrinkles and as a scalp and hair treatment.

I recently treated a vaginal infection with aloe vera gel (after going to the doctor and getting no help), and it cleared right up. Most of the itching, swelling, pain and redness were gone within twenty-four hours. Having just researched aloe vera, I am con?dent that it killed whatever bacteria or fungus was there.

To treat minor cuts or burns, including sunburns, apply aloe vera gel frequently during the ?rst twenty-four hours. Do the same for poison ivy. The aloe vera will prevent infection and reduce or eliminate scarring. For athlete’s foot, apply aloe vera gel at least four times a day.

For scalp and hair treatment to prevent hair loss, add aloe vera gel to your favorite shampoo and shake it up well. The most effective combination is 70% aloe vera. This helps control dandruff and gives a shine to the hair. Beeyoutiful’s Hair Shine contains aloe vera and not only gives your hair a healthy shine, but also rebuilds damaged hair and makes hair more manageable. Just spray it on.

To make an after-bath lotion, add aloe vera gel to 4-5 drops of glycerin or lemon juice and apply over the body for a refreshing feeling. Add aloe vera gel to your bath to relax muscles or add it to a cream base for a body massage that will ease pain from arthritis, rheumatism, sore muscles, or injury. Add aloe vera to face creams to help heal and condition skin. Many major sports teams in the United States use aloe vera massage creams on their players because of their astonishingly fast relief of soreness and pain.

Many topical products contain aloe because of all its amazing properties, but one must carefully look at the list of ingredients. Aloe is very e?ective at transporting through the skin and will also transport other things with it, including the dyes and other questionable things contained in many skin products.

One of the great things about aloe is that it increases the bioavailability of other foods and vitamins taken with it. For internal use there are basically three forms of aloe-gel, powder and juice. Obviously fresh gel is the best, but it is not always the most convenient. Prepackaged 100% gel is available but, again, is not always convenient, and you have to take quite a bit for an e?ective dosage. Some people like to drink aloe vera juice. Juice does not contain all of the components of gel, or even all that is in the freeze-dried whole leaf powder, so be sure that the juice you buy is at least 95% aloe vera or else it may not be very e?ective at all. Gelcaps are the easiest and preferred form of ingesting aloe vera and provide the most accurate concentrations. They are almost always made by freeze drying gel or whole leaves, concentrating the powder and then reconstituting it in a thick gel and packaging it in a gelcap.

The Aloe Vera 5000 mg Capsules carried by Beeyoutiful are the recommended strength for optimum effectiveness with daily use. For children, Beeyoutiful has a new multivitamin containing aloe vera called Super Kids. With all the benefits of aloe vera, it is no wonder that it has been called the miracle plant and the universal panacea!

Beeyoutiful’s Products Mentioned in this Article:

–          Aloe Vera Gelcaps

–          Hair Shine Spray-in Conditioner

–          SuperKids