Aloe vera juice proved to be an effective part of a nutritional support program for HIV+ patients according to the Journal of Advancement in Medicine. For four months, 29 patients were given 100% pure aloe vera juice (five ounces, four times daily) along with an essential fatty acid supplement and another supplement containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Patients were told to continue with their normal diet and not to take other supplements.
After 90 days, all of the patients had fewer occurrences of opportunistic infections, thrush, fatigue, and diarrhea, as well as increased white blood cell counts (meaning their immune systems were responding positively). Their assessment of overall quality of health also improved. In 25% of the patients, aloe apparently knocked out the virus's ability to reproduce. Researchers found that aloe (the mannose extract and perhaps other compounds) stimulates the body's immune system, particularly T4 helper cells, white blood cells that activate the immune response to infection.
2009/12/23
Aloe Vera Beneficial for Teeth and Gums
The modern use of Aloe Vera was first recognized the 1930s to heal radiation burns. Since then, it has been a common ingredient in ointments that heal sunburn, minor cuts, skin irritation, and many other ailments.
Recently, Aloe Vera has gained some popularity as an active ingredient in tooth gel. Similar to its use on skin, the Aloe Vera in tooth gels is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as toothpaste to fight cavities, according to the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.
Aloe Vera tooth gel is intended to perform the same function as toothpaste, which is to eliminate pathogenic oral microflora—disease-causing bacteria—in the mouth. The ability of Aloe Vera tooth gel to successfully perform that function has been a point of contention for some dental professionals. However, research presented in General Dentistry may alleviate that concern.
The study compared the germ-fighting ability of an Aloe Vera tooth gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the Aloe Vera era tooth gel was just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.
Aloe latex contains anthraquinones, which are chemical compounds that are used in healing and arresting pain because they are anti-inflammatory in nature. But, because Aloe Vera tooth gel tends to be less harsh on teeth, as it does not contain the abrasive elements typically found in commercial toothpaste, it is a great alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums.
But buyers must beware. Not all Aloe Vera tooth gel contains the proper form of Aloe Vera. Products must contain the stabilized gel that is located in the center of the Aloe Vera plant in order to be effective. Products must also adhere to certain manufacturing standards.
Dilip George, MDS, co-author of the study, explains that aloe "must not be treated with excessive heat or filtered during the manufacturing process, as this destroys or reduces the effects of certain essential compounds, such as enzymes and polysaccharides." Dr. George suggests that consumers consult non-profit associations such as the International Aloe Science Council to see what products have received the organization's seal of quality.
Although there are more than 300 species of the plant, only a few have been used for medicinal purposes. "Thankfully, consumers with sensitive teeth or gums have a number of choices when it comes to their oral health, and Aloe Vera is one of them," says AGD spokesperson Eric Shapria, MS, DDS, MAGD, MA. "If they are interested in a more alternative approach to oral hygiene, they should speak with their dentist to ensure that it meets the standards of organized dentistry, too."
By Academy of General Dentistry - Jul 18, 2009
Recently, Aloe Vera has gained some popularity as an active ingredient in tooth gel. Similar to its use on skin, the Aloe Vera in tooth gels is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as toothpaste to fight cavities, according to the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.
Aloe Vera tooth gel is intended to perform the same function as toothpaste, which is to eliminate pathogenic oral microflora—disease-causing bacteria—in the mouth. The ability of Aloe Vera tooth gel to successfully perform that function has been a point of contention for some dental professionals. However, research presented in General Dentistry may alleviate that concern.
The study compared the germ-fighting ability of an Aloe Vera tooth gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the Aloe Vera era tooth gel was just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.
Aloe latex contains anthraquinones, which are chemical compounds that are used in healing and arresting pain because they are anti-inflammatory in nature. But, because Aloe Vera tooth gel tends to be less harsh on teeth, as it does not contain the abrasive elements typically found in commercial toothpaste, it is a great alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums.
But buyers must beware. Not all Aloe Vera tooth gel contains the proper form of Aloe Vera. Products must contain the stabilized gel that is located in the center of the Aloe Vera plant in order to be effective. Products must also adhere to certain manufacturing standards.
Dilip George, MDS, co-author of the study, explains that aloe "must not be treated with excessive heat or filtered during the manufacturing process, as this destroys or reduces the effects of certain essential compounds, such as enzymes and polysaccharides." Dr. George suggests that consumers consult non-profit associations such as the International Aloe Science Council to see what products have received the organization's seal of quality.
Although there are more than 300 species of the plant, only a few have been used for medicinal purposes. "Thankfully, consumers with sensitive teeth or gums have a number of choices when it comes to their oral health, and Aloe Vera is one of them," says AGD spokesperson Eric Shapria, MS, DDS, MAGD, MA. "If they are interested in a more alternative approach to oral hygiene, they should speak with their dentist to ensure that it meets the standards of organized dentistry, too."
By Academy of General Dentistry - Jul 18, 2009
2009/11/29
Medicinal History of Aloe Vera
Other Names of Aloe Vera
Aloe derives from the Arabic halal, meaning a shining, bitter substance (3)
Among 360 species, Aloe Vera is the official name recognized by the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature. (5)
• Cape Aloe
• Aloe Curacao
• Barbados Aloe
• Venezuela Aloe
• Indian Aloe
• Mediterranean Aloe
• Star Cactus
• Common Aloe
• Yellow Aloe
• Medicinal Aloe
• Burn Plant
• Medicine Plant
• Wand of Heaven and Plant of Life
Medicinal History of Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been used for several thousand years. Stories about Aloe plant can be found in many cultures from the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well as in the literature of the Indian and Chinese peoples.
Ancient Egyptians called aloe the “plant of immortality,” and depicted aloe in wall paintings. The Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used Aloe Vera as part of their regular beauty regimes. (1)
Aloe is also mentioned in the Bible several times. Aloe was also employed as an embalming ingredient. In the Gospel Of St. John (19: 39-40), the body of Christ was wrapped in linen and a mixture of myrrh and aloe. (2)
As early as the 4th century B.C., Greeks sent by Alexander the Great to the southern Yemen island of Socotra cultivated aloe. Alexander the Great used Aloe Vera to treat his wounded soldiers. Knowledge of aloe’s healing virtues spread.
In his 1st century A.D “Greek Herbal,” physician Pedianus Dioscorides gave the first detailed description of aloe. Dioscorides noted that the sap, not the gel is the healing agent, equating increased bitterness of aloe with increased effectiveness. According to Dioscorides, taken internally aloe induces sleep and cleanses the stomach, heals tonsillitis and relieves diseases of the mouth; used topically aloe relieves boils, bruises, hemorrhoids, wounds, dry itchy skin and ulcerated genitals, heals foreskin, stops hair loss, and soothes the eyes. (1)
Other early herbalists including Galen and Pliny employed aloe.
In the 10th century aloe’s uses were described by Arab physicians, and aloe was introduced to Europe and listed in Anglo Saxon medical texts.
In China aloe was called Lu-hui, meaning "black deposit," and was first mentioned in the 11th century. (1,2)
Records from the 17th century show that Britain’s East India Company purchased and traded aloe from Socotra and Zanzibar. The West Indies became an important commercial region for cultivated aloe sold to the European market as early as the 1600’s. There the Dutch established plantations in Barbados, Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. (3, 4) By 18th century large amounts of Aloe were being imported to be made into medicines. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Aloe remained one of the most popular medicines.
Popular demand for effective laxative effects and other reputed health benefits ensured aloe’s cultivation, processing and trade.
From most recent history, Gandhi drank the inner gel from Aloe Vera, which helped him maintain a high energy level despite his often poor diet.
References:
(1). “History Of Aloe vera” From History of Biomedicine-Indigenous Cultures
Karolinska Institutet.
(2). Bown, Deni. The Herb Society Of America Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. 1st ed., (New York: Dorling Kindersley. 1995), 235.
(3) Tyler, Varro., Brady, Lynn., Robbers, James., Pharmacognosy. 9th ed., (Philadelphia,
Lea & Febiger, 1988) 62 – 64.
(4) Evans, W.C., Trease and Evans’ Pharmacognosy, 13th ed., (Philadelphia, Bailliere
Tindall, 1989) 413 – 416
(5) Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996), 25 – 28.
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