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

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

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Seems to make me healthier
Disadvantages: Tastes and smells awful

...laxative effect on the bowels. Skin care - moisturising and conditioning effects even when taken internally. Burns and Sunburn Great energy booster. Relieves digestive system disorders such as IBS, Candida, Colitis, Acid Indegestion. Effective for people suffering from stomach ulcers. Supports your Immune System to help you fight infection. Helps alleviate a wide range of allergies. Aloe Vera contains over 20 minerals, all of which are essential to the human body. Aloe Vera has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. Vitamins cannot be manufactured within the body, and some cannot be stored by the body, so it is necessary for the diet to sustain a continuous supply. Aloe Vera was recommended to my mam by our local health and beauty shop as she was very lethargic all of the time. The lady told her that drinking Aloe Vera juice could... 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

...and Africa. 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... Read review

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Advantages: natural healing product
Disadvantages: none

...be a little difficult as it like to be in very hot conditions- something we are not used to in this country! but if you have land in, say, the Dominican Republic, then go for it! You can find more information about this company and aloe vera at http://www.aloevera-flp.co.uk or you can email me for more information on the company and buying from it. I hope you will all choose to use aloe vera. It is a very wonderful plant, and can help you in so many ways! I have not even touched the surface on this subject, but if I don't stop now, I don't think I ever will! If you buy one thing this week, let it have aloe vera in it. When you burn yourself on the grill, or cut yourself opening your post, or even fall out of the door (maybe Im the only one to do this) then this little plants juice really will help your skin to heal! Live forever... Read review

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Advantages: Too many
Disadvantages: none

...of Aloe Vera Gel being extracted from a plant, then look out for the Liz Earle hours on QVC. She uses AV extensively in her products, and always attends the show equipped with a large Aloe, which she proceeds to hack to bits with a massive cleaver, then squashes the gel out onto her hand. She annihilates these poor plants, but don't worry, they grow really quickly, and I have not yet ran out of Aloe Vera, even when I only had one plant. Aversion of Aloe Vera is also used in some countries for digestive problems, they drink a juice version, which has marvellous health benefits. This is also available to buy at Think Natural.com as are a huge variety of other Aloe Vera products. But as I say, grow your own, and be eco-friendly.... Read review

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

...us? When taken internally as gel 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... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to grow
Disadvantages: Cats nibble them

...three times, I still cannot train Monty (the cat not the hubby), to stick to sinking his teeth into one poor plant. He has to try them all. One amazing thing I have noticed though, this plant is self-healing. Provided he doesn't suck out all the juice, the leaf reseals itself around the toothmarks and continues growing! My recommendation, if you do use this plant for health or beauty purposes, buy your own plant. They need very little care, in fact they prefer to be left to dry out then soaked once in a while, so the initial outlay for your first plant is easily recouped. Better still, find a friend who already has an Aloe Vera then beg for one of the offshoots!... 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: Excellent moisturiser, good for eczema
Disadvantages: Cost

...I bought the Aloe Propolis Creme from a friend at work who had started up as a distributor for Forever Living a company who sells Aloe Vera Products. She has severe eczema and recommended this cream. I will tell you a little about the company and the properties of Aloe so that you understand a little more about this cream. The Company = Forever Living is an American company who are the world's largest grower, processor and distributor of Aloe Vera products. Their products are sold in over 90 countries. The products are not available in the shops but are instead sold by individual distributors either through a party sale or direct from distributor to customer. They do have a website but the UK version is currently undergoing work. Many so-called Aloe Vera products on sale in shops actually have very little Aloe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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

...participants 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful