The earliest evidence of this "plant of immortality" is chiseled on 6,000-year-old stones indigenous to Egypt, where it was also offered as a gift to deceased pharaohs in burial. The gel and leaves of aloe vera have been used liberally throughout the world in skin products and taken raw in oral treatments for conditions including osteoarthritis and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. As of 2010, aloe vera was not endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating any disease. Check with your health care provider before taking aloe vera.
Anti-Cancer Agent
According to research published by the American Association of Cancer Research, there is a link between emodin, a compound found in aloe vera leaves, and the inhibition of soft tissue tumors in cancer patients. The study also revealed a boost in immune system functions without any added side effects. Additional cancer research performed at Fukuyama University in Japan has singled out the aloe vera derivative alosin as having "free radical scavenging" and anti-inflammatory effects due to high levels of antioxidants.
Diabetes Combatant
Although unevaluated by the FDA, various studies have shown potention for the use of aloe vera to maintain glucose levels. Research conducted at the Mahidol University of Bangkok, Thailand and published by Aloe Life has stated that diabetic subjects taking 15 milliliters of aloe vera over a one-month period saw a 43 percent decrease in blood sugar levels. Additional tests by the university were conducted on subjects unresponsive to antidiabetic medication and revealed a 48 percent reduction in blood sugar levels.
Heart Health
There have been many studies over the years on the possibility of using aloe vera as a treatment of heart disease. Dr. Om Agarwal tapped into this possibility in a study which administered 200 g daily of aloe vera to 5,000 patients with heart disease over a five-year period. Positive feedback came in the form of improved electrocardiograms, stress tests and lipid profiles, while chest pains commonly associated with the condition gradually subsided in three months.
Member Comments