Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its healing properties. Most notably, the aloe vera plant has been used for skin care, but its benefits don't end there. It also has been used to successfully treat constipation. The leaves of the aloe plant are chock full of nutrients, giving aloe vera the ability to benefit the entire body and fight multiple diseases.
History
The ancient Egyptians so treasured the aloe plant that they referred to it as the "plant of immortality" and carved the image of the plant on stones, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They also included it among funeral gifts to be buried with their pharaohs. Aloe was often used in folk medicine for treating wounds, relieving itching and as a laxative.
Aloe Vera
There are more than 250 species of aloe in the world but the common aloe for medicinal use is the aloe barbadensis, according to the Garden Helper website. It is the transparent gel within the thick, green leaves of the aloe vera plant that holds all the healing qualities. The succulent leaves are made up of mostly water and contain more than 200 ingredients. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The plant also has antiseptic agents including lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamic acid, phenol and sulfur.
Blood Sugar
Glucose is the form of sugar that travels throughout your body, according to the Franklin Institute, and is your body's main source of fuel. This blood sugar is obtained from the carbohydrates in starches and sugars such as grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates, found in natural foods, work like a time-release capsule, delivering sugar slowly over a long period. Simple carbohydrates, found in processed and refined foods, act like an instant shot of sugar.
Significance
The Mayo Clinic website states that aloe vera taken internally might help lower and control blood sugar levels. A 2006 study published in "Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology" tested the effect of aloe vera gel extract on rats with diabetes. Oral ingestion of aloe vera gel extract daily resulted in a significant reduction of fasting blood glucose. There is ongoing research to isolate and characterize the bioactive compound responsible for the antidiabetic action.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com advises that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the use of aloe vera. Some people might be allergic to the plant, which is a member of the lily family. Consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Aloe Vera
- Healthy Life: Why Aloe Vera
- MayoClinic.com: Aloe Vera
- The Franklin Institute: Resources for Science Learning: The Human Brain: Nourish -- Carbohydrates Fuel Your Brain
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology: Beneficial Effects of Aloe Vera Leaf Gel Extract on Lipid Profile Status in Rats with Streptozotocin Diabetes
- The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Aloe Vera Plants
