1. Aloe Vera Gel can be used on the skin for eczema, burns, cuts, leg ulcers, psoriasis, scars and sunburnt skin
2. Drinking Aloe Vera juice daily is thought to be a good health tonic and detoxifier as well as helping with: digestive problems, arthritis, M.E., colic, IBS, candida and bad breath.
3. Gel on the hair can cure dandruff and seborrhea, cleanse the scalp, soothe itching and make the hair shiny
4. Aloe Vera Gel moisturises the skin, may increase collagen, reduces pigment formation and stimulates cell production
Aloe Vera is rich in nutrients such as:
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and selenium, 20 of the 22 amino acids the body needs, proteins and polysaccharides - long chain sugars.
Aloe Vera contains over 75 different components including enzymes, polysaccharides, fatty acids (phytosterols), amino acids, flavonoids, saponins, salicylic acid, lectin.
There are many varieties of the Aloe plant but it is the Aloe barbadensis Miller which is the one which is widely used in the West for its medicinal properties. The popularity of this cactus-like plant goes back to:
• Alexander the Great who allegedly used it to heal his soldiers' wounds.
• Cleopatra who bathed in it.
• Mahatma Gandhi who ate the leaves while on hunger strike.
Aloe Vera Juice
One of the most misleading things is that most bottles of Aloe Vera juice state that they contain 100 per cent pure Aloe Vera juice but this is not measurement by volume. The juice within the drink may be 100 per cent pure, but there could be as little as 2 per cent by volume within the liquid, with the rest of it made up with water.
Another measurement is the strength of the Aloe Vera per litre of juice. Trust William’s Aloe Vera juices contain 2500 – 4000mg of MPs (methylalcohol precipitating solids – polysaccharides) per litre of juice dependent on seasonal changes.
The likelihood is that if it tastes like water it probably is water. Aloe Vera has a strong (not particularly pleasant) taste so if it tastes weak and sweet it is unlikely that the product contains much of the real thing.
While it might be true to say that if Aloe Vera juice is noticeably cheaper it is unlikely to be very potent, the opposite may not be the case. Just because a product is expensive it is not necessarily genuinely pure.
The Seal of Approval
The most reliable way to know that the Aloe Vera you are buying is bona fide is to look for the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) mark on the packaging. This applies to all Aloe Vera products - toothpastes, soaps, gels, creams, etc. - as well as juice. The organisation only endorses Aloe Vera which has been grown organically, processed properly and contains a maximum amount of pure Aloe Vera. All Trust William’s products are IASC certified.
Some Aloe Vera drinks have other juices added to them such as orange or cranberry, but apart from these there should be no added sugar in the list of ingredients. Unlike some products, it is however the mark of a good Aloe Vera juice if it contains preservatives, as these can be from a natural source. Aloe Vera juices which claim that they do not contain any preservatives are unlikely to have any shelf life at all and should not be purchased.
Caution in Pregnancy
Some press reports have indicated that high levels of aloin have been found in some Aloe juice drinks and that this substance can cause miscarriages and stomach upsets. In the UK there is no set limit on the level allowed, while in Japan, by contrast, Aloe Vera juice can only contain up to 50 parts per million.
This lack of regulation makes it difficult for consumers to choose between brands unless they avoid Aloe altogether when pregnant.
Non-Juice Products
Again there are differing views about the effectiveness of taking Aloe Vera capsules and tablets with some people believing that there is too little Aloe in them to have any effect. Those who find it more convenient to take tablets and capsules should carefully check ingredients and look for the International Aloe Science Council sign.
What to look for when choosing Aloe Vera products:
1. Look for the International Aloe Science Council Certified mark.
2. Ingredients should be listed in descending order of quantity, with the most prevalent one coming first. If Aloe Vera is not the first ingredient it is unlikely that there is enough in the product to be effective.
3. Ingredients should not contain sugar.
4. Be wary of products which claim they are free from preservatives.
5. Don’t be deceived by 100 percent pure claims.
6. It should taste strong and be dull yellow in colour.
Content courtesy of Healthy Soul
One of the best known health supplements on the market, Aloe Vera can be purchased as:
Gel >>
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