Everything you wanted to know about aloe vera………………….

Aloe vera has:

• Amino Acids
• Anthraquinones
• Enzymes
• Lignin
• Minerals
• Mono and polysaccharides
• Salicylic acid
• Saponins
• Sterols
• Vitamins

Amino Acids – building blocks of protein and effect brain function. Eight are considered essential (not produced by the body)and all are in aloe vera:

• Isoleucine – thought to help symptoms of ME
• Leucine – can reduce chronic fatigue
• Lysine – helps with symptoms of herpes
• Methionine – combats allergies
• Phenylalanine – pain killer and anti-depressant
• Thereonine – can help with clinical depression
• Tryptophan – can help reduce food cravings
• Valine – helps to reduce symptoms of ME

Non-essential amino acids include:

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Asparagine
• Cysteine
• Glutamic Acid
• Glycine
• Histidine
• Proline
• Serine
• Tyrosine
• Glutamime
• Aspartic Acid

Anthraquinones – in high concentrations are a powerful laxative, however, in lower concentrations highly beneficial to the digestive system

• Aloetic acid – anti-biotic
• Aloe emodin – bactericidal
• Aloin – analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral
• Authracene – anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory
• Anthranol – anti-biotic
• Barbaloin – analgesic, anti-biotic
• Chrysophanoic acid – fungicidal for skin
• Emodim – bactericidal
• Ester of cinnamic acid – analgestic, anaesthetic
• Ethereal oil – analgesic
• Isobarbaloin – analgesic, antibiotic
• Resistanol – bactericidal

Enzymes – break down food into amino acids and then converted back into body protein – wont function without vitamins and minerals

• Amylase – breaks down sugar and starch
• Bradykinase – beneficial to immune system, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
• Catalase – prevents fluid retention
• Cellulase – aids digestion
• Lipase – aids digestion of fats
• Oxidase
• Alkaline phosphatase
• Proteolytiase – hydrolyses protenis
• Creatin phosphokinase – aids metabolism
• Carboxypepdidase

Lignin – gives aloe vera its powerful penetrating properties

Minerals

• Calcium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Phosphorous
• Sodium
• Zinc

Mono and polysaccharides

• Monosaccharides – simple sugars, glucose, fructose, mannose
• Polysaccharides – complex long-chain sugars believed to be key to aloe veras unique healing and immune-stimulating properties
  • Acemannan
  • Restores and boosts immune system
  • Anti-viral
  • Stimulates production of white blood cells
  • T-lymphocytes capacity increased by up to 50%

Salycylic acid – has similar properties to aspirin, helps reduce fever and inflammation.  Believed to be beneficial for

• Fever and pain
• Heart-attacks
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Pre-eclampsia
• Dementia
• Alzheimers
• Diabetes

Saponins – soapy substance with cleaning, antiseptic properties

Sterols – plant steroids with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Include:

• Beta sitosterol
• Lupeol
• Campesterol

Vitamins (the main ones):

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Folic acid

Aloe vera has a wide range of benefits including:

• Highly efficient detoxifier
• Powerful immune system stimulant
• Strong anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic
• Stimulator of cell growth
• Aids acceleration of tissue healing
• Antiseptic
• Rich source of nutrients
• Powerful aid to the digestive system
• Adaptogenic
• Anti-ageing

Whilst aloe vera is not a panacea for all ills it has shown some amazing benefits with:

• Acne
• Acne rosacea
• Alopecia areata
• Asthma
• Burns
• Cancer
• Candida albicans
• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic sarcoidosis
• Conjunctivitis
• Constipation
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Diabetes mellitus
• Diverticulitis
• Duodenal ulcer
• Ear infections
• Eczema
• Eye inflammations
• Fibromyalgia
• Gingivitis
• Haemorrhoids
• Hepatitis
• Herpes simplex
• HIV
• IBS
• Leg ulcers
• Lupus
• ME
• Mononucleosis
• Muscular pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Psoriasis
• Radiation damage
• Radiotherapy
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scar tissue
• Sinus infection
• Skin disorders
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Thrush
• Ulcerative colitis
• Viral infections
• Warts
• Wound healing
• ……and many more!!

Are all aloes created equal ? Far from it unfortunately. It’s legendary benefits are often exploited in products that hardly contain any product and what little it does contain comes from unregulated producers.

As a minimum select only products that have the International Aloe Science Council seal of approval. Better still chose products that offer a money back guarantee their goods and use only regulated producers (growing organic produce).

I hunger for knowledge.  I learn more about aloe vera daily and continue to be amazed by the awesome benefits that come from a plant. It is completely unique and there is no other single product on the planet that gets anywhere near equalling it. There is no one single ingredient that creates the magic – it’s a combination of all of it’s components working synergistically in complete harmony with the body and being able to adapt to varying needs.

Give it a go…………………………