The aloe vera plant is a commonly used herb with a long history of treating ailments such as skin irritations, wounds and burns. This plant has spiky leaves that contain a pulp surrounded by a hard green rind. The pulp is made into aloe gel, juice and other products. Aloe vera is widely used for its external skin benefits, however it also has internal uses. Only aloe produced for internal use should be consumed. It is also important to consult your family doctor before self-treating ailments and disorders with aloe vera and other herbal medications.
Healing Properties
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that although aloe vera pulp is composed of 99 percent water, it also contains a wide variety of nutritional and healing substances called glycoproteins and polysaccharides. These compounds help to heal wounds, scrapes, irritation and burns by stimulating epithelial or skin cell growth and repair and decreasing inflammation and pain.
Nutrients
Aloe vera contains a number of nutrients and constituents that contribute to its many properties for external and internal use. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center lists these nutrients to include sugars called mono- and polysaccharides, fats called sterols, enzymes, saponins, organic acids, vitamins and minerals. Aloe vera also contains lipids and antioxidant compounds called tannins. Another substance found in aloe is emodin, which is thought to have tumour-inhibiting properties.
Uses
In addition to its nutritional benefits when ingested, aloe also has internal medicinal uses. A study published in "The British Journal of General Practice" reports aloe may help to reduce lipid or fat levels in individuals with high blood cholesterol. Additionally, just as aloe promotes healing of the skin, it also eases inflammation and irritation of the epithelial lining of the stomach and digestive tract when ingested. This helps to soothe and treat gastrointestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. However, the internal benefits of aloe vera are currently inconclusive and under ongoing research.
Diabetes
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that when used as a nutritional food supplement, aloe vera juice may help lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 or adult-onset diabetes. This is most beneficial when used in combination with the type 2 diabetes medication glyburide. However, individuals using aloe vera alone or with diabetes medication must be monitored by a doctor to ensure that their blood glucose levels do not fall too low, causing hypoglycemia.
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