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Does taking Aloe Vera internally (or even using it on the skin, or
gums of the teeth for gum disease) over a long period of time cause
physical problems or dependency?
Absolutely not. It
is not a drug, it is not addictive (you will not become dependent on
it), and long-term drinking of Aloe Vera juice only helps your
body. There is no evidence that it does any damage at
all. In fact, all evidence points to only long-term benefits
of long-term use!
It is no different, in this
light, than a person who drinks orange juice all their
life. Aloe can only benefit the Immune System, and your
organs (esp. the digestive and waste removal organs).
If you have digestive problems
Aloe is certainly something you should consider discussing with your
health care professional as an alternative to synthetic drugs which
may, over time, create additional problems. Aloe is not only
NOT toxic or habit forming, but it will help rid your body of toxins
and free radicals which damage the body.
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Where did Aloe Vera originate?
There is no way to
know. Science and most religions agree that plants were here
before people. Also, with continental drift, there is no way
to know where it originated. We do know that it currently
grows in most areas with a semi-tropical environment with lush
soil.
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Is
drinking Aloe safe for pregnant women?
There should be no problem
with drinking Aloe if you're pregnant. Indeed, it will supply
you, and your baby, extra nutrients which you both need, including
vitamin b-12 which is critical for early fetal development.
Pregnant women should first
consult with their pediatric doctor before starting Aloe or any
other supplement.
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I have arthritis or other joint/bone problems. Will Aloe cure
me?
Aloe Vera does NOT CURE
any disease. Only a healthy, functioning Immune System can rid
the body of disease.
But Aloe Vera can help . .
.provide the Immune System with
most of the daily vitamins, minerals (including calcium), and other
nutrients it requires to function properly.
Where arthritis or other more
chronic illness are concerned we would be unwise to rely on Aloe or
other herbs, vitamins, or even doctor-prescribed drugs alone in our
response.
Our health care professional
should be our consultant as we look to the needs of our
bodies. It is CRITICAL that you work along with the
health care professional of your choice as you take responsibility
for, and control of, your own body. It is also critical that
you study things out on your own . . . ultimately it is your body,
and you know it better than anybody else.
Most people who drink a good,
high quality Aloe Vera drink for arthritis and other bone/joint
problems experience a reduction in pain and swelling. (Aloe
Vera reduces inflammation naturally. When fighting any illness
which causes inflammation, it is important to get it under control
as inflammation may lead to other, serious problems.)
We must also use reason and
common sense in our approach to health. While aloe has
wonderful properties, bordering on the miraculous, if we abuse our
bodies in other ways (smoking, excessive alcohol, no exercise, etc.)
then Aloe can only do so much. It is truly a gift from nature,
for us to use with other gifts from nature and modern
science.
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Aloe gel contains the
plant's healing agents.
This idea is most often based on
the erroneous idea that Collins & Collins in 1935 used the gel alone,
when in fact, they used a combination of the sap and gel, however, the
outer green part of the leaf contains essentially no nutritional value as
compared to the inner gel. Additionally, if you try to drink whole-leaf
Aloe Vera juice you'll not likely want to do so again. There is a thin
yellow layer between the inner gel and the outer leaf called "Aloin". This
is very bitter, and is not of any Nutritional benefit. The inner gel of
the leaf (especially if the integrity and content of the pulp is
maintained and properly stabilized in less than four hours time) is so
high in nutrients that the bitterness of the outer leaf is
less-than-necessary. Of course, it's much less expensive to "pulverize"
the entire leaf than to carefully extract the inner gel from the leaf . .
. but there is no measurable benefit to the consumer.
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Aloe must be "cold processed", heat destroys its active
ingredients and therefore its ability to heal.
Different
manufacturers defend their own points of view, let's see these
two:
Cold processed Aloe has great sales appeal, but it is not
supported by facts. In antiquity the sap (yellow juice that drips from the
leaf when is cut or broken) or the whole leaf was ground up and boiled or
cooked to preserve its value. Thousands of modern researchers agree that
the juice must be pasteurized or even boiled (212 °F/100°C)) to preserve
its value. In addition to these facts chemical reference books, including
Mercks Index and the CRC, state that the polysaccharides, glycoproteins,
and the plants other active ingredients have breakdown temperatures which
occur well above the boiling point of water. The polysaccharides, for
example, do not even begin to break down until exposed to temperatures
above 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110°C).
Against this one:
A
non-heating processing is best ! Heat destroys important nutritional
components in any plant. On the other hand, "cold processed" is a buzz
word that may hold different meanings for different brands. If the gel is
left exposed for more than four hours (and thus starts to break down),
"cold processed" really makes no difference either.
You should not pay
attention to how the process is done but the nutritional content of the
product. Indeed, the more natural the stuff is, the more you enjoy its
natural benefits, of course, there is a need to process of raw material to
kill microorganisms and preserve the natural properties.
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Aloe vera juice can look and
taste like
water.
Raw whole leaf Aloe vera juice has a yellow color
and a bitter taste. In the early 70's processors discovered that carbon
filtration eliminates Aloe's yellow color and lessons its bitter taste.
Unfortunately they have failed to mention that carbon filtration; strips
the plant of its nutritional value by removing vitamins, minerals, amino
acids, enzymes, fatty acids, etc.; greatly reduces Aloes healing effects
because it removes almost all of the plants healing agents, with the
exception of Aloe mannose and lectins. The agents removed include: Aloin,
emodin, B-sitosterol, and the plants other anti-inflammatory plant
sterols, salicylic acid, cinnamonic acid, phenols, sulfur, urea nitrogen,
lupeol, and other hydrochlorides. While carbon filtered Aloe looks like
water it does not taste like it. Some processors have used the fact that
carbon filtered Aloe looks like water to sell the public water - yes,
water. Remember ... "If it looks and tastes like water - it probably is
water. "
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Concentrating Aloe
Vera juice
destroys its active ingredients.
All ancient references
which mention processing state, that Aloe must be concentrated to preserve
its medical value. This was done by boiling it in a pot or drying it in
the sun. Modern research has shown that concentrated Aloe juice is highly
effective, and that it may be much more effective in many cases,
especially wounds and diseases.
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Aloe
Vera can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of common illness and
pain.
Aloe Vera contains natural anti-inflammation and
anti-bacterial properties. It also tends to "cool" and numb sensitive
tissue, such as sore gums and burned skin, naturally. It's excellent for
inflamed and sore gums, canker sores, and cold sores. It's usually great
for most digestive problems, and helping to clear up acne (applied
externally and taken in liquid form internally).
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Aloe Vera should taste bitter and be somewhat thick and
"pulpy".
But if it's so bitter you can't drink it, the
juice may not be of the best quality. It should be somewhat bitter - just
mix it with a citrus juice to make it more palpable. If it's totally clear
(like colored water) it's probably of doubtful quality. If it's dark brown
it probably hasn't been stabilized properly.
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Aloe Vera can cure all ailments:
Patently
false.
Aloe Vera has an exceptionally large number of nutritional
properties, but it does not "cure" anything. Aloe (and indeed any other
herb, medication or drug) contributes important nutrients needed by the
body and immune system in the healing process. In the very literal sense,
only the body can cure itself.
Aloe Vera provides raw materials needed
by the body to effect its own cure. Aloe Vera has also been shown to keep
the intestinal tract (lining) clean and rid it of materials that cling to
the lining and prevent the intestines from absorbing the nutrients
required by the body to stay healthy (as well as rid itself of illness).
Thus, Aloe Vera not only provides nutrients, it also helps the body
cleanse itself so that it can absorb these and other nutrients. It has
also been shown to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
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Aloe Vera contains
Calcium.
Possibly True. The mineral content of any plant
will be determined by its presence and volume in the soil in which the
plant is grown, as well as the health of the plant and it's environment
(i.e.: a chemical-free environment is best).
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Aloe Vera is completely safe for
internal and external use by everybody.
Just as people
can be highly allergic to tomatoes and bees, it is also possible to be
allergic to Aloe Vera (or any other natural product). It's best to try
some on a small area of your skin before drinking the
juice.
Additionally, you should speak with your health care
professional before using. Aloe Vera (especially internally) or any other
herbal/nutritional supplement. Some herbs and supplements can have a
negative effect on any prescriptions you may be taking.
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