Aloe Vera


 

 

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis)

 

 Aloe  Vera looks like a cactus, but is in fact a member  of the Lily  family. Naturally found in tropical climates it has been used by  humans for 1000's of years.
A plant of many surprises, it is  best known as an  addition to many cosmetic or skin care products.  However, its uses are legion  and this curious plant with its spiky  leaves is truly extraordinary.


HIGH ALTITUDE ORGANICS™ products we use pure 100% stabilised  aloe vera gel from the inner leaf as the primary ingredient, not  just a  splash!

A new Human Study  finds  that Aloe vera enhances bioavailability of vitamins B12  and C and ORAC among  mature adults.
The UC Davis study was  presented at the Experimental Biology  Convention in Washington  DC in April of this year and has renewed dialogue about  Aloe within  the natural products community.

How does it work?

Its natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial action, combined within its nutritional constituents, promote cell growth, and therefore healing. However, it is not only helpful for people with problems; most people taking it report a greater sense of well being - they just feel 'better' or they report feeling calmer and less anxious. This could be due to aloe's effect on their immune system which, you may say, becomes balanced or fine-tuned, and therefore, more efficient at defending the body from attack.
Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel (when taken as a drink or applied externally to the skin and hair) has the following benefits:
It is a natural cleanser due to the presence of saponins.
It penetrates tissue due to its lignin content.
It anaesthetises the tissue in the area to which it is applied, relieving pain deep beneath the surface, including pain associated with joints and sore muscles.
It is bactericidal when held in high concentration for several hours in direct contact with bacteria, whereas antibiotics kill bacteria when highly diluted.
It is viruscidal and fungicidal when in direct contact in high concentration for a long period of time.
It is anti-inflammatory. It acts like a steroid, but with no side effects.
It is anti-pruritic - reducing itching and burning. It is a natural moisturizer, taking moisture to all layers of the skin.
It stimulates cell replication.
The proteolytic enzymes break down dead tissue - cleansing a wound (topical products).
It helps to increase blood flow in the skin by capillary dilation.
It is health giving to the skin and body by providing a wide range of vitamins,
minerals, sugars, enzymes and amino acids, essential and secondary.
Aloe Vera is  a cactus like plant but  belongs to onion, lilly and garlic family. You may call  it as GHEE  KANWAR, KUMARI or KORPHAD etc.  There are over 300 known varieties of Aloe  Vera but only 5 contain  medicinal properties. The most potent is BARBADENSIS  MILLER. The benefits have  been  recorded in many civilization including those of Egypt, Persia,  Greece,  Italy, Africa and India etc. From the time of Cleopatra  to recent Mahatma  Gandhi, all knew the goodness of Aloe Vera and  call it as silent  healer.
KNOWN CONSTITUENTS OF ALOE VERA AND THEIR PROPERTIES
 
Aloe Vera is  a  cactus like plant but belongs to onion, lilly and garlic family.  You may call  it as GHEE KANWAR, KUMARI or KORPHAD etc. There are over 300 known varieties  of Aloe  Vera but only 5 contain medicinal properties. The most  potent is BARBADENSIS  MILLER. The  benefits have  been recorded in many civilization including those  of Egypt, Persia, Greece,  Italy, Africa and India etc. From the  time of Cleopatra to recent Mahatma  Gandhi, all knew the goodness  of Aloe Vera and call it as silent  healer.
KNOWN  CONSTITUENTS OF ALOE  VERA AND THEIR PROPERTIES
LIGNIN: Lignin is a cellulose-based  substance which  has penetrating ability and acts as carrier for other nutrients  and components and also provides provides deeper penetration.
SAPONINS: Saponins is a soap  like substance  which helps in cleansing of body tissues and it  is also  antiseptic.
VITAMINS: Vitamin A, B1,  B2, B3, B5, B6, C,  D, E, Chlorine & Folic acid. Vitamin A,  C, & E are antioxidants that  help to neutralize free radicals.  B complexes and choline are involved in  metabolism of amino acids.  B12 and folic acid are needed for production and  development of  red blood cells.
MINERALS: Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron,  Magnesium,  Manganese, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium, and Zinc, these are  required  for food health, stronger bones and teeth.
AMINO  ACIDS: Provides 20 of the 22 types  including 7 types  of essential amino acids. Amino acids are needed for  production  of body cells and tissues.
ANTHRAQUINONES: Provides 12 Anthraquinones  which  are known as laxatives. Together with gel they provide Anti-bacterial,  Anti-viral, Anti-Fungal and Analgetic activity.
ENZYMES:Provides  9 enzymes which help  breakdown of food sugar and fats, aiding  and enhancing nutrient absorption.
POLYSACCHARIDES: They are believed  to be helpful in  stimulating production of antibodies and white  blood cells.
ALOE  VERA helps  to improve conditions of people with DIGESTIVE DISORDERS, ARTHRITIS RHEUMATISM,  MUSCULAR  PROBLEMS, BODY PAINS, MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS, LIVER/KIDNEY AILMENTS,  HIGH  BLOOD PRESSURE, STRESS, BRONCHITIS, SINUSITIS, DIABETES,  ULCERS, SLEEPLESSNESS,  LACK OF ENERGY, ASTHMA, HEMORRHOIDS, COLITIS,  GOUT, CANCER, HEART DISEASES,  CHOLESTEROL, OSTEOPOROSIS, CONSTIPATION,  DIARRHEA, URINARY TRACT INFECTION,  ECZEMA, PSORIASIS, SHINGLES,  ACNE, RASHES, SCARS, WARTS, LUPUS AND ALCOHOLISM

The physical and  chemical properties of Aloe Vera
The aloe  plant is  between 99 and 99.5  per cent water,  with an average pH of 4.5. The remaining  solid material contains over 75  different ingredients including  vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars,  anthraquinones or phenolic  compounds, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids and  salicylic  acid. These are described in more detail  below.
Vitamins - The plant contains many vitamins, excluding vitamin D but including the important antioxidant vitamins A, C and F. Vitamins B (thiamine), niacin, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), choline and folic acid are also present. Some authorities suggest that there is also a trace of vitamin B12 (Coats1979).
Enzymes - When taken orally, several of these biochemical catalysts, such as amylase and lipase, can aid digestion by breaking down fats and sugars. One important enzyme, a carboxy-peptidase, inactivates bradykinins and produces an anti-inflammatory effect. During the inflammatory process, bradykinin produces pain associated with vasodilation and, therefore, its hydrolysis reduces these two components and produces an analgesic effect (Obata et al 1993, Shelton 1991).
Minerals - Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium and iron are all found in the aloe plant. Magnesium lactate inhibits histidine decarboxylase and prevents the formation of histamine from the amino acid, histadine (Shelton 1991). Histamine is released in many allergic reactions and causes intense itching and pain. The prevention of its formation may explain the antipuritic effect of aloe vera.
Sugars : Sugars are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant under the rind, surrounding the inner parenchyma or gel. They form 25 per cent of the solid fraction and comprise both mono- and poly-saccharides. By far the most important are the long chain polysaccharides, comprising glucose and mannose, known as the gluco-mannans (Beta - (1, 4) - linked acetylated mannan). When taken orally, some of these bind to receptor sites that line the gut and form a barrier, possibly helping to prevent ‘leaky gut syndrome’. Others are ingested whole by a method of cellular absorption known as pinocytosis. Unlike other sugars which are broken down prior to absorption, the polysaccharides are absorbed complete and appear in the blood stream unchanged. Here, they act as immuno-modulators capable of enhancing and retarding the immune response (Green 1996, Kahlon et al 1991, Sheets et al ).
Anthraquinones : These phenolic compounds are found in the sap. The bitter aloes consist of free anthraquinones and their derivatives:
Barbaloin-lO- (1151  -anhydroglucosyl)  -aloe-emodin-9-anthrone) lsobarbaloinAnthrone-C-glycosides  and  chromones.
In large amounts these  compounds exert  a powerful purgative effect, but when smaller they appear to aid  absorption from the gut, are potent antimicrobial agents (Lorenzetti  et all 964,  Sims eta/i 971 a), and possess powerful analgesic  effects. Topically, they can  absorb ultra violet light, inhibit  tyronase activity, reduce the formation of  melanin and any tendency  to hyper-pigmentation (McKeown 1987, Strickland eta/i  993). Lignin  This woody substance, inert in itself, endows topical aloe  preparations  with their singular penetrative ability to carry other active  ingredients  deep into the skin to nourish the dermis (Coats  1979).
Saponins : These soapy substances form 3 per cent of the gel and are general cleansers, having antiseptic properties (Hirat and Suga 1983).
PlantSterols : These include Campesterol, f3 Sitosterol and Lupeol (Coats 1979).
Sallcylic acid : This is an aspirin-like compound possessing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Topically, it has a kerolytic effect which helps to debride a wound of necrotic tissue.
Amino acids : These are the building blocks of proteins. Aloe vera gel provides 20 of the 22 necessary amino acids required by the human body and seven of the eight essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesise. These must be ingested in food.
 
Aloe vera oil is made from the maceration of the aloe vera plant and infused with a base oil, such as soybean, almond or  apricot, resulting in an aloe vera oil extract. The botanical classification is of the family "aloceae," and the genus "aloe vera."
 
The oil extracted from Aloe Vera plant is believed to be a great skin rejuvenator. It ensures speedy recovery of wounds and is also quite effective in treating sunburns. In addition, it is very beneficial in curing Arthritis. Aloe Vera is known to possess anti inflammatory properties. It also serves as a wonderful moisturizer. It is able to penetrate quickly and deeply into the skin and therefore is a popular choice amongst the base oils for use in Aromatherapy. For body scars and stretch marks, Aloe Vera oil truly works wonders. Aloe Vera oil provides innumerable health benefits for which it is preferred the most.

Disclaimer: The information presented herein  is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.



 INFORMATION LIBRARY  ALL PRODUCTS
 FACIAL SKIN CARE
Facial Cleansers
Facial Exfoliants, Scrubs, & Polishes
Facial Moisturizers & Creams
Facial Masques & Treatments
Eye Care
Facial Massage Oils

 BODY SKIN CARE
Body Moisturizers and Toners
Body Bath Products
Hand, Feet, & Nail Products
Massage Oils


 HAIR CARE
Hair Shampoo & Conditioner
Hair Treatment


All Products
Facial Care
Body Care
Hair Care
Baby Care
Herbal Teas
Accessories
Information Library
About Us
e-mail me