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

...Aloe Vera Miracle Cure-All ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *****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... Read review

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Advantages: Great film with an absorbing storyline and great acting
Disadvantages: Could be a little slow moving for some, although I loved it

...TITLE: Vera Drake CERTIFICATE: 12 CAST: Imelda Staunton, Richard Graham, Eddie Marsan, Anna Keaveney, Alex Kelly, Daniel Mays, Phil Davis DIRECTOR: Mike Leigh RUNNING TIME: 125 minutes RELEASED: 7 January 2005 INTRODUCTION ******************* Vera Drake is the hardworking mother or a working class family in 1950’s London- a London still recovering from the ravages of war. Stockings and certain foodstuffs are still in short supply, many women are working to provide for their families after the loss of fathers and husbands, and many people still live in buildings that can only be described as slums. Vera’s quite lucky though. She’s not rich, but she has a comfortable home, albeit only a few rooms, a loving and devoted husband, and two children who are both working. Her husband works for his brother in a garage... Read review

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Advantages: Too many
Disadvantages: none

...Yet another miracle cure, from MagicWend's repertory of Granny remedies. Aloe Vera gel, lovely slimy stuff, but of course you are wondering what I'm on about as usual. Before we actually go into any miracle cures, I intend to dissuade you from purchasing any product that you think contains a high percentage of pure Aloe Vera. You get your money,and pop down to Boots for a tube of Aloe Vera Gel, which you will probably not get much change from a tenner. You look on the back for the Magic Ingredient Aloe Barbadensis, which will probably be fairly near the bottom, after all the listing of chemical pap which help to make the Aloe Vera last longer, smell nicer, feel better etc. But I advise you all to adopt The MagicWend organic, eco-friendly approach, and grow your own. When you need some gel, simply chop off a leaf, and squeeze... Read review

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Advantages: natural healing product
Disadvantages: none

...Having just had a baby, I am finding it difficult to be able to go out with friends and even to go out to work for long periods of time. I wanted to be able to go out and meet new people and work and not have to worry about little Carenza. You may ask me what this has to do with Aloe Vera, and now I will tell you. A few months ago, a friend of the family saw that my mother had very very bad rashes all over her arms. When she asked her about it, my mother replied that the Doctors had not been able to give her any medication that would shift it. This friend suggested that she tried some Aloe Propolis Cream by Forever Living Products, a new company that she had just joined. My mother tried the cream and found it very soothing indeed, and in time, the rashes went away. Being a flute player, I often find that I have very sore lips... 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

...particular and very well known plant/herb which has been used for centuries for healing, one of nature's great healers' the aloe vera plant. As I have some experience with holistic therapies I was already aware of the healing properties of aloe vera but I had never personally used it as a form of medicine on its own, till someone I knew re-introduced me to its healing properties, after herself had some personal experience - it helped her cat with his cystitis problems. She sounded very enthusiastic and she was totally convinced that aloe vera was a miracle for her pet and herself as it also seemed to have helped her with her own skin condition, so I decided to do a bit of investigation on my own and to try to find a bit more about that miracle plant. The results were more than impressive, I do admit, as aloe vera appeared to be recommended... Read review

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Advantages: Pocket Size and Smells Nice
Disadvantages: Makes Your Fingers Greasy

...Since being at college, all of my friends have always been good friends with Vera but it's only up until now that i've properly met Vera and have found her to be a very loyal friend indeed and when i speak of Vera i mean Aloe Vera. There comes a time when everyones' skin, especially lips become chapped, dry or cracked and i personally have a big problem in both cases but didn't really bother to do anything about it until my very red sore dry hands and cracked lips were screaming at me, but not literally of course. As i said above, all of my friends are loyal friends to that small vaseline tin carrying it around with them everywhere and applying it when they can as a type of fashion accessory as well as a wonderful therapy. So i thought to myself why don't i go out and buy some for myself seems as everyone else seems to have a tin of it... Read review

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

...Last week when I was at work, two of the salesman were having a 'heated discussion' (argument!) about whether or not you could drink Aloe Vera. I was more than happy to settle their argument by telling them that I drink it everyday! Although Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family, it is very cactus like in its characteristics. There are over 240 different species of Aloe, growing mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Aloe Vera has been shown to have various beneficial effects on the body when taken in internally. Some of which are listed below. Blood circulation - a number of constituents have beneficial effects on blood pressure and coagulation. Bone and joint disorders - due to its high mineral and amino acid content. Detoxification - amino acids assist the liver and kidneys. Laxative - It has a gentle... Read review

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Advantages: Softens lips and skin, easy to carry.
Disadvantages: Smell and taste.

...I am a fan of vaseline lip care, which I use regularly, but have a pot that is at teast 3/4 full and will last ages. Yesterday I wandered over to Boots the Chemist with the sole intention of purchasing a birthday gift for someone. There was nothing, they must only stock things over Christmas in gift packages. Our Boots is only a small branch though. Feeling frustrated and not wanting to leave empty handed, my eagle eye scanned the shelves and spotted the Vaseline with Aloe Vera variety of lip therapy. I had to try this, even though I didn`t need any. I had also heard reports from people who did not like the Aloe Vera in the vaseline. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I had to try it for myself. Aloe vera is supposed to have really good properties aswell which I wanted to test. Initial Impressions... Read review

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

...What is Aloe Vera? You may have seen the plant. It's that spikey looking cactus type thing with long, thick, squishy leaves. In fact, it is a member of the Lily family and the leaves are "squishy" because they are filled with gel. It is this gel that has given it the reputation for being called the "Miracle plant" or "Natural Healer". There are in fact over 200 varieties of aloes, It is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) which is most beneficial to us people. So what is in Aloe Vera? Vitamins - it contains a wide range but the most important are the antioxidants, C, E and beta carotene (the precursor to vitamin A). It also contains vitamin B12 in very small amount. Minerals - magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium, calcium, sodium and potassium, all of which the body needs. Amino acids... Read review

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Advantages: It can be bought easily and there are no side effects. You have nothing to lose by trying it for a trial period.
Disadvantages: Aloe vera is liquid form, is an aquired taste. It is avalible in other flavours but even these do not mask its strong pungent taste. It can also be quite expensive costing from eight to sixteen pounds for a months supply.

...Aloe Vera has taken off in the Uk over recent years following its spread across America. Aloe Vera is a succulent plant, it grows in areas where water is in short supply and so stores water as a gel inside its thick waxy leaves. It is this gel, added to products that provides the health benefits. Aloe vera can be bought in many forms, it is added to lipsticks, face creams and shampoo. However these are not what this article is concerned with. I am a Biology student at the University of Manchester and hence I am sceptical about certain miracle cures that have been advertised. However I belive that Aloe vera when taken twice a day as a liquid supplement can have numerous health benifits. My father started using aloe vera about two years ago after a friend told him about its possible health benefits. My father at the time was suffering... Read review

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