Originally grown in Africa, the benefits of aloe vera can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. Topical application of aloe vera has been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, as well as burns. Aloe vera is also taken internally in juice form, which is extracted from the aloe vera gel. According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, preliminary research on the benefits of aloe vera juice have returned promising results, however more research needs to be done. Consult your health care provider before taking any herbal supplements.
Nutrients
Aloe vera juice is a source for a wide variety of nutrients and is considered "nutrient dense." Of the eight essential amino acids required by the body, aloe vera juice contains seven of the eight and 19 amino acids total. Aloe vera juice contains B vitamins and is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B-12. Other vitamins found in aloe vera juice are vitamins C and E, folic acid and niacin. Calcium, a mineral essential for healthy bones, is found in aloe vera juice, as is potassium. Other minerals found in aloe vera juice are sodium, zinc, manganese, magnesium as well as chromium. Important enzymes are also found in aloe vera juice, which help us utilize the food that we eat.
Digestion
Aloe vera juice aids digestion as well as soothes digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, heartburn and diarrhea. According to herbwisdom.com, aloe vera juice facilitates the release of pepsin, an important aid in digestion. Proponents of folk remedies believe that aloe vera juice improves the absorption of many nutrients by helping to cleanse the colon. The same proponents also believe that aloe vera juice is one of the best natural body cleansers, removing unhealthy matter from the liver, kidneys, stomach and spleen.
Immune System
The positive effect of aloe vera on the immune system prompted the Food and Drug Administration to approve aloe vera as a treatment to slow the progression of HIV in 1994. Aloe vera juice also contains a variety of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important to the immune system because they are free radical scavengers. Free radicals are unstable molecules that create oxidative stress in our cells. Oxidative stress may lead to the progression of many diseases. Aloe vera juice contains phytochemicals and polysaccharides, which help regulate the immune system by activating T and B lymphocytes. Carrisyn, another compound that boosts the immune system, is also contained in aloe vera juice.
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