ALOE VERA

ALOE VERA; LILIACEAE

Used for severe burns, chronic leg ulcers, X-ray burns, sunburn, radiation burns from the treatment of cancer, to reduce scarring, for wounds, scrapes, and cuts, as a deodorant, to clear the throat, for itching and insect bites, as a cleaning douche, for digestive ulcers in the stomach, for peptic ulcers, to remove warts, to wean infants and for nose congestion.

Aloe Vera is much prescribed externally nowadays, although its internal uses are many as well. Its most common use for most people is as a burn medicine. Although ointments are now widely available for burns, which feature Aloe Vera, probably the most common use of the plant is to cut off a leaf, trim it of its prickles, split it in two, and lay the wet interior on the burn itself. The pain subsides within minutes and often blistering and scarring are totally eliminated. Some consider that its use in burns may not be that useful, that much study should be done before it can be accepted as a burn treatment (Spoerke:22), but empirical experience, even among doctors, suggests that it really works to heal burns.

Other external uses for the herb include treatment for all kinds of wounds--scrapes, cuts, etc. The gel seems to mildly kill the germs on the surface and promote healing. The herb is high in calcium, which reduces bleeding with its coagulating action, at the same time helping to stimulate circulation of blood in the surrounding areas to bring oxygen to the surface.

Aloe Vera taken internally is said to help maintain good blood vessel tone and healthy circulation. The potassium in the plant is said to aid the heart’s rhythm and stimulate the kidney to dispose of body wastes. The herb is said to help the action of digestive enzymes and deter kidney stones. The plant is said to assist oxygen carrying throughout the system.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The gel from the leaf contains a miraculous number of substances, including polysaccharides which are said to be the basis for healing in bums.