Aloe Vera

I am sure that nearly everyone is aware of the benefits of using aloe vera topically to the skin. It’s great for soothing the pain of sunburns, as a disinfectant for cuts, and is used in beauty products. But you might be shocked to learn that this magical plant can have tremendous health benefits when digested! The inside of an aloe vera plant contains medicinal properties that make it one of the most impressive herbs on earth. When you put aloe vera gel inside of your morning smoothie, you receive:

   •18 amino acids
   •Enzymes
   •20 minerals
   •Plant sterols
   •Monosaccharides
   •Polysaccharides
   •Antioxidants
   •Vitamins A, C, B, E

It is truly a gold mine of over 200 active phytonutrients. Being in a liquid form, it is a fantastic delivery system for the above nutrients. All of these nutrients work together in synergy (as opposed to your multivitamin).


Here are the benefits you will experience when digesting aloe vera


Blood flow
Aloe vera can help with improving your blood circulation. This is due to polymers in aloe vera that increase the amount of oxygen the your blood can carry. It can turn oxygen depleted blood into smoothly flowing oxygen rich blood. This is especially beneficial to those who constantly have cold hands and feet due to poor circulation. It can also enhance cardiovascular performance at the gym. There are many other potential benefits from oxygen rich blood, such as reduce risk of stroke and heart attack, reduced high blood pressure, and better cognitive function. Aloe vera has personally helped me reduce the perpetual black bags underneath my eyes (finally!).

Digestion
Along with being anti-bacterial and anti-viral, aloe vera contains carbohydrates that contain water that have a soothing effect on the lining of the digestive tract. This can have a tremendous impact on people with ulcers, colitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Immune function
Research has shown that the polysaccharides contained in aloe vera are highly effective for boosting the immune system and even show anti-tumor properties. Aloe vera is a one stop shop for immune boosting nutrients that have synergistic properties. The increase blood flow from aloe vera also supports the immune system.

Halting inflammation
Topically, aloe has been known to sooth joint pain. But if digested, aloe vera can spread its anti-inflammatory properties throughout the whole body. Aloe vera contains natural plant steroids which are well known for their anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is the route cause for almost every disease. Read more about inflammation at our chronic inflammation page.


Skin health
As you probably are aware, aloe vera is contained in thousands of skin products. It can be used as healing agent and is useful in treating a lot of skin problems. Digesting aloe vera internally has these same benefits. Also, an unhealthy digestive system has been linked to pimples, black bags under the eyes, and hair loss. As explained above, aloe vera is very effective in improving digestive health.

Diabetics
Diabetics can experience a decrease in blood sugar immediately after digesting aloe vera, and have a significant drop after 3 months. Aloe Vera supports the pancreas to help with insulin production to utilize blood sugar. The benefits to diabetics are also attributed to its blood enhancement properties.

Antioxidant booster
Aloe vera contains antioxidants that will attack free radicals. Some of these include vitamin A, B, C and E. Aloe Vera actually can enhance the effectiveness of antioxidants because of the increase in blood flow from digesting it. Better blood flow more effectively transports nutrients to the body’s cells.


Other benefits
Acid reflux disease
Lowers high cholesterol
Prevents kidney stones
Alkalizes the body
Gum disease
Burns and cuts


So what is the best way to ingest aloe vera?

Many aloe gels on the market are weak and might not even contain any real aloe vera gel. Most have been heated which destroys the nutrient content and mixed with additives. I suggest going for the real thing. Optimally, growing your own aloe vera would be the cheapest way to get this healing plant into your diet. Unless you’re living in Arizona and can grow outside your house, it’s difficult to grow enough inside your house to meet your daily needs. Sunfoods actually ships whole fresh aloe vera leafs to customers. This is the only wellness site that I am aware of that does this.

When you get your hands on an aloe vera leaf, make sure you only eat the inside gel!  The easiest way to eat it is with your morning smoothie.  When mixed with other ingredients its basically tasteless.

Aloe vera, whole leaves, 12/box (raw, sustainably-grown) Aloe Vera in its raw, fresh form can offer gentle support for improved digestion and help stimulate the immune system.

Sources:
(1) http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0322/1224292768424.html
(2) http://www.whyaloevera.com/skin-care.html
(3) http://www.aloelife.com/aloeverapages/aloeveraenergy.html
(4) http://aloeverabenefits.com/aloe-vera-and-benefits-of-antioxidants/
(5) http://www.livestrong.com/article/532099-blood-circulation-and-aloe-vera/
(6) http://www.lifeplusvitamins.com/aloe-vera-nutrition.html
(7) http://liquidforlife.com/nutrient-rich-aloe-vera-liquid/
(8) http://www.aloe-vera-guide.com/aloe-vera-and-digestion.html
(9) http://www.aloe-vera-use.com/immune-system.html
(10)http://www.familyhealthnews.com/articles-aloe-eases.html