Natural Aloe Vera has long been used as a topical treatment for minor burns, skin injuries, and rashes. But did you know that it has also been used to treat internal ailments and disease? I didn’t know that Aloe had any health benefits; I was under the misguided assumption that ingesting Aloe would be toxic to my health. In fact, Aloe Vera is listed in some places as a poisonous houseplant.
While researching this article, I learned that references to Aloe Vera being taken orally have been found in medical journals and historical documents since before Cleopatra, and Alexander the Great.
Aloe Vera has been proven to provide these nutrition benefits:
• Amplifies the antioxidant effects of vitamins
• Relieves joint and muscle pain
• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
• Stabilizes blood sugar
• Boosts immune function
• Heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract
• Ends constipation
• Prevents and treats Candida infections
• Protects the kidneys from disease
• Functions as nature’s own “sports drink” for electrolyte balance
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion
• Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair
• Natural food preservative
• Oxygenates the blood
The health benefits of Aloe Vera are being increased almost daily as researchers discover positive affects that this medicinal plant has on modern illnesses and diseases. For the purpose of this article, I’m going to give you a basic overview of the nutritional properties that Aloe Vera provides, and for further information about the diseases Aloe can be used to treat, you should take a look at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aloe-vera/NS_patient-Aloe and also www.iasc.org/articles.html
These are some of the ingredients found in the gel inside an Aloe Vera leaf.
• Water
• 20 minerals
• 12 vitamins
• 18 amino acids
• 200 active plant compounds (phytonutrients)
• Triterpenes (a phytonutrient that lowers blood sugar)
• Glyconutrients & glycoproteins
• Polysaccharides, including:
• Acemannan, mannose-6-phosphate polymannans
• Phenolic glycosides, including: Dihydrocoumarins
Check out http://www.aloe-vera.org to learn more about the nutritional benefits.