Advantages: Extremely versatile and inexpensive.
Disadvantages: The cat enjoys a nibble.

...purposes – the leaf, the gel, and the juice. The latex – a powerful laxative is obtained from the fresh juice of the Aloe – this is known as the “anthraquinone, which when ingested, can cause diarrhoea and intestinal cramps, therefore it is recommended that it only be used under the guidance of a doctor. Aloe Vera also relieves inflammation, soothes muscle spasm, purifies the blood and cleanses the liver – good for that “morning after the night before – dilute a small amount of Aloe juice with your usual fruit juice. Other Health Uses = The following is a listing of other ailments, which Aloe Vera can help treat: - Helps in the healing of wounds - Supporting surgical recovery time - Soothes burns, including sunburn - Minimises frostbite damage - Screens out radiation - Heals... Read review

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Advantages: Some suppliers offer money back guarantee
Disadvantages: dID NOT HELP

...Aloe Vera is one of those herbs with so much documentation that I have actually tried a few times to give it another chance. But I am afraid to say it has never been the miracle cure some state it is .Twice I have used the Forever Living Aloe Vera Juice and although they proclaim great success in treating CFS, irritable bowel and other tummy problems, I felt worse when and even after a few months of using it, thinking I had to give my body time to adjust or that I was having a healing crisis. I do believe that Aloe vera has its place for many things it does have a lot of theraputic benfits it does contain anthraquinone glycosides, sterols, gelonins and chromones.Being a natural purgative that encourages bile flow for weeks I had to run to the toilet quite a few times for the first few hours after I had my morning dose, even when I... Read review

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Advantages: Prompt delivery if you find a good distributor
Disadvantages: Can't pop into a shop to buy it therefore have to order in advance

...Forever Living products were recommended to me by a friend of a distributor. Although I did not find the Aloe Vera Gel a 'miracle cure' for Irritible Bowel Syndrome, I certainly found it had a very calming effect on the stomach. In addition, I have a number of friends who tried it and found it reduced hairloss. Although I consider I have a 'good head of hair' I noticed that I wasn't loosing as much when washing and particularly noticed a reduction in hair loss when brushing it. I have since tried a number of other aloe vera gels/juices purchased from from mail order companies but found no noticable health benefits. To gain optimum benefit I was advised to take the juice/gel each morning (at least half an hour before any hot drinks) for a three month period. After which, take a break for a few weeks before continuing.... Read review

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Advantages: Healing properties and tasty juice when processed correctly.
Disadvantages: Bitter powdered aloe vera that has no proven benefit.

...applied aloe vera cream to the skin three times a day for four weeks psoriasis patients had a significant improvement in the appearance and soreness of their skin lesions. Further research suggests that aloe vera gel may also provide mild pain relief and reduce inflammation for people with psoriasis and eczema. Currently there are no known side effects following the application of aloe gel or cream. As with all products applied to the skin some people can suffer reactions but the reactions observed in the published studies could be attributed to other ingredients in the cream or lotion. Aloe vera juice has been used widely as an alternative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. A study where participants ate aloe vera gel proved that it enhanced the absorption of vitamins C and E, both or which... Read review

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Advantages: ALMOST MIRACULOUS HEALING PROPERTIES
Disadvantages: DOESN'T TASTE GREAT, CAN BE EXPENSIVE TO BUY FRESH

...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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *****Growing your own Aloe Vera***** Aloe Vera likes to be ignored. It's not a plant that enjoys constant attention... Read review

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Advantages: natural, can help with many conditions, good for pets and humans
Disadvantages: too may products not all the real thing

.... In 1500 B.C. Egyptians recorded use of the herbal plant in treating: burns, infections, parasites. It is also believed that the fresh gel was used by Cleopatra to keep her skin soft and young. Aloe was also used by the Ancient Greeks, Arabs and Spaniards and is still used by hunters in Africa to reduce perspiration and body scent. The aloe juice and gel, which is used today, is made from the inner leaf (most commonly used for minor cuts and burns). The bitter yellow juice found between the gel and the outer skin of the leaf is dried and used as a laxative. Aloe vera leaf contains more than 200 different constituents. Acemannan and other polysaccharides boost T-lymphocyte cells, which help promote skin healing and neutralize many of the enzymes responsible for damaging the mucosal wall. Aloe vera juice is naturally rich in: Vitamin C which... Read review

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Advantages: Incredibly versatile, can be used internally and externally
Disadvantages: The juice tastes ...like nothing I've never tasted before!

...burns, sunburn, rash, minor (healed, as in unbroken skin) skin abbrasions, spots, dry skin, and as a general soother. It is used in many anti-ageing lotions and also makes an effective cleanser. I first bought it as a gel to soothe severly sun-cooked skin and I could not believe how well and how quickly my skin recovered. It seals the skin and cools the affected area and if used quickly (for example after a day in the sun) it may even prevent permanent damage and scarring. Aloe Vera is a very effective after-sun remedy. It is also available as a soap and is a favourite ingredient now in many body washes and shampoos and conditioners to soothe sore scalps. One of the best things about Aloe Vera is that it isn't just a topical treatment; it can be bought as a juice or as a supplement to ingest. The juice is very good but tastes pretty awful... Read review

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Advantages: Natural, healing, nutritional
Disadvantages: It tastes disgusting

...if you buy it direct from the company, but if you buy it from a distributor it costs £17! They do offer a guarantee though that if after 3 months you feel no benefit then they will give you your money back. I thought there was nothing to lose seeing as they give a guarantee, so I decided to give it a go. So, I started taking 2 dessertspoonfuls of the juice twice a day. It tastes disgusting, like grapefruit rind. After the first week I nearly stopped taking it because I was feeling worse, not better, I had diarrhoea and felt even more exhausted than ever. However, I was assured that this was normal and that the Aloe Vera was just clearing all the toxins out of my body. I stuck with it for a few more weeks and realised that I was beginning to feel brighter. I can’t say it made me feel like jumping jack flash but I definitely felt... Read review

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Advantages: Effective and fairly cheap
Disadvantages: Juice does not taste very nice

...Aloe vera has slowly proved to be a successfully used plant for healing and helping with a number of ailments we can incurr from time to time. The essence of the plant; the sap, is what is used to treat lots of different things from allopaecia, skin disorders, and internal "dis-eases" especially around the area of the intestines and stomach for general aches and pains or low functioning times. It can be used in a number of ways. It can be drunk as aloe juice, which can be obtained in bottles at reasonable prices from health food stores, and although does not taste at all brilliant, it proves effective and both myself and friends saw a difference even after a short time of using it. It can be rubbed onto surface areas like problem skin, and used for such as eczema. It is soothing and cooling to the skin in this way... Read review

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Advantages: Can help with burns, skin care, hair care, and your insides!!!!
Disadvantages: The taste of the gels!!!!

...drinks (an acquired taste but can be mixed with juices), it is reported to cleanse the digestive system making the absorption of nutrients in food much more efficient. It is also reported to help with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), ulcerative colitis, Psoriasis, Arthritic swelling and aid the immune system. Fortunately, I don't have any of the above ailments, but I do find I have more energy and perhaps strangely, feel less stressed. Anyone who has tried it on burns may know that it is very soothing but also speeds the healing process and if scarred, the scars appear to be less apparent. It's a great moisturiser though. Yes, I am a modern day man and I do moisturise. I use an Aloe Vera toothpaste too. Being a smoker and coffee drinker, I am aware of stains, gum problems and bad breath. The toothpaste leaves my mouth feeling fresh... Read review

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