Aloe Vera
Miracle Cure-All
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*****What is Aloe Vera?*****
Aloe Vera is a plant. But not just any old plant. It is one which has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Why then do doctors not prescribe it ever day? Well that's an issue I'll be covering later in this review, but for now, some background is required to truly understand how important this plant could and should be to our every day lives.
For the plant lovers amongst you, Aloe Vera is a succulent plant (like a cactus) that belongs, very strangely, to the Lily family of plants, and is also related to garlic, onion and asparagus. Its Latin name is Aloe barbadensis Miller, and throughout recorded history has been used to heal. It has gone by many names over time, including "heaven's blessing" and "the silent healer".
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*****The History of Aloe Vera*****
Aloe Vera has been used by people throughout time - the Egyptians were well versed in its healing properties, and it is said that Cleopatra, more famous for bathing in ass's milk, and Nefertiti, who was supposed to be the most beautiful of all Egyptian Queens, used this in their beauty preparations. Archaeology has proven that the Ancient Greek, the Romans, Arab and Indian cultures have all used the Aloe plant to great success throughout the ages.
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*****
How it works*****
As a sort of cactus type of plant, the Aloe holds a lot of water. However it's the other stuff in the Aloe that is where the magical medicine lies. The plant is full of vitamins, minerals and sugars, as well as enzymes and sallcylic acid. This is a strange compound that works like natural aspirin, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So it will soothe inflamed skin and protect against bacterial infections. Perhaps most notably, one of the many minerals in the plant is called Magnesium Lactate. This stops the release of Histamine, which is of course what your body produces when you're having an allergic reaction. The first time I ever used an Aloe plant was to soothe the itching caused by a very nasty midge bite, and I was amazed at the instant pain relief supplied obviously by this little mineral. Many of the vitamins and minerals also help to boost the immune system, meaning the body has more power to fight infection and heal itself.
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*****What Aloe Vera can be used for*****
There are many uses for Aloe Vera. There is strong evidence that it can help with IBS, Arthritis and ME, and it is clear from anyone who's ever used the plant, that it relieves the pain and itching of
insect bites, scratches and scrapes, eczema and psoriasis as well as burns and sunburn.
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*****Different forms of Aloe Vera*****
Aloe can be used in many ways. The fresher the better, as storing it long term in a liquid form means that the minerals and vitamins deteriorate.
I have Aloe Vera plants, and use them as and when I need to. A single leaf or stem can be used a number of times - I store mine in the fridge until I need it again. To use it in this way, simple cut a stem off the plant, squeeze the stem until the jelly-like substance is pushed out from the cut part of the stem, and spread this jelly substance on the affected part. You will notice the pain relief instantly, the area will feel cool and it will be almost as though you didn't have pain/itchiness in the first place.
Other ways to use the plant are by buying it in pill form - this is good for bowel problems, and Aloe is an excellent
colon cleanser. If you have bowel problems, Aloe is an excellent
laxative, very natural and with no
side effects that I have ever come across.
Aloe Vera is also available as creams, lotions, shampoo and juice. The juice is again excellent for issues such as IBS, heartburn, sore throats and mouth ulcers.
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*****Growing your own Aloe Vera*****
Aloe Vera likes to be ignored. It's not a plant that enjoys constant attention, and it doesn't need a whole lot of watering either. Remember it's like a cactus, and as a species has grown used to standing out in the desert not doing a whole lot of work. You can grow Aloe Vera in normal
potting compost, and you will find that it throws up baby plants quite regularly. Pot them up, let them develop a bit and then pass them on to friends and neighbours. When you notice the soil is
bone dry, water the plant, but don't let it sit in water and always wait for the compost to dry out
before you water it again. As far as I know, Aloe Vera is a hardy plant, meaning you can leave it outside, but I've never trusted my wee
medicinal plants to the harsh northern winter, and don't think I'd want to risk loosing them, so I keep them on a sunny windowsill in the warm and they seem quite content. If you live further south, or in a warmer place than northern England, you might find you can leave yours outside. If you have an Aloe, leave a comment for me and let me know if you do anything different to it.
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*****Where
to buy Aloe Vera*****
I bought my Aloe Vera at a local garden centre. It was quite a small plant at the time and only cost me £3.99. Since them I have had dozens of tiny plants from it, which I am in the process of distributing, and hopefully they will grow into strong healthy little Aloes! Larger Aloe Vera plants can be bought online, with costs spiralling the larger the plant gets.
This website (below) quotes £9.50 for a reasonable plant going by the picture:
http://www.houseofplants.co.uk/Aloevera_plant.htm
This site (below) quotes charges for plants up to £99.99. Wow. Grow your own I say!!!
http://aloeveraplants.co.uk/index5.htm
If it's
Aloe Vera tablets or juice, try
Holland and Barrett, or any local heath food store.
http://www.aloehealthuk.com/
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*****Where to read up on Aloe Vera*****
There are loads of sites online where you can find out more information about
how to use this plant.
Some good ones to check out are:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.hollandandbarrett.co.uk
http://www.natural-woman.com/aloevera.htm
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*****My Opinion of Aloe Vera*****
I truly believe this is a plant I will be using for one thing or another for the rest of
my life. It has so many benefits and as far as I can tell, having used it in
one way or another for over a year now, no detrimental effects. I use this product for anything from scratches and scrapes to nettle stings to insect bites to spots and blackhead to bowel problems, and in every case it heals. I have recommended it to my sister whose children and husband have problems with eczema, and it is proven to have an effect on this. It is an excellent treatment for all manner of health issues and I would just love to see people using this more, rather than going to the shop and buying six different medicines for six different ailments when
this one is free and will possibly treat them all. I think the Aloe plant is not only graceful to look at, but an untapped miraculous medicine which more people should know about.
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*****Why
I believe your doctor will never prescribe this to you*****
I have lots of theories about drug companies, and the amount of money doctors' surgeries get paid to peddle the antidepressants, the anti-inflammatory, and the anti-biotic that so many people rely upon to get them through the working year. Making drugs is big business. There is a huge industry build around drug companies, and if people start self treating, there is a very good change the economies around the world, but particularly here and in the US would suffer greatly. Seeing as money does indeed make the world go around, there is little chance of your doctor EVER suggesting you take your cut and sore finger home and apply a layer of Aloe Vera sap to it to assist its healing process. It's just never going to happen so long as the country is dependant on the money and the power that drug companies have.
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*****For more information go to*****
I would say put Aloe Vera into Google, and you will get so many hits you'll need to take a holiday just to read them all!
Some interesting sites, apart from the ones mentioned above, are:
http://www.talkeczema.com/webpages/yourlives/aloe_vera.htm
http://www.aloehealthuk.com/content/articles.asp?article=16
http://www.flp-aloevera.co.uk/Aloe%20_Vera%20_Study%20_1.html
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*****Final Thoughts*****
I have great faith in the healing power of this plant, because I have seen/felt/experienced it. It is important that you read up on this subject before embarking on any course of action, and you really should, despite what I say above, talk to your doctor or
health care specialist. I have a great belief in using natural healing methods wherever possible, and this is something which I have found has helped me greatly, though even if you grow an Aloe Vera simply for its sculptural beauty as a plant, there is much to be gained from it in an aesthetic way too!
Thank you so much for reading, good luck if you decide to use Aloe Vera for any ailments, you'll be genuinely surprised at the results.
Kate x
ALOE VERA - CURE ALL 
Goodness, I never knew!! I think I will check out some sites before putting sap on open wounds. Exceptional review in every way. Thanks. Gwen xx