A propos

Botanical File of Aloe Vera

Although aloe vera is a member of the Lily family, it is very cactus-like in its characteristics. This unique plant also belongs to a larger plant family called "Xeroids". The aloe vera gel naturally contains over 75 nutrients, 200 other compounds, 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins. The most nutritionally potent is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller – the only variety that we cultivate and use in our products.

Aloe looks much like a succulent cactus. Its leaves are usually elongated, frequently pointed, sometimes blotched or mottled. An aloe vera measures 60 to 80cm in height. Some of them have spiny teeth on the leaves.

The gel is the inner most part of the plant. It is protected by the skin of the leaf which when cut, produces an orange-yellow sap. When the green skin of a leaf is removed a clear mucilaginous substance appears that contains fibers, water and the ingredients to retain the water in the leaf. These ingredients give this "gel" its special qualities as they are known now for many centuries.

The aloe vera plants produce yellow or orangish-red blooms. These flowers tend to be found on a single leafless stalk in clusters. The flowers are used to make the Aloe Blossom Infusion Tea.

In cultivation, aloe vera prefers a sunny location, but it can be maintained under low light. If light levels are very low, the leaves will lose their grayish cast and become just plain green. The soil should be kept moderately dry. Aloe vera likes to be kept drier in the fall and winter than in spring and summer. It is tolerant of dry air. It prefers temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees in the daytime and 60 to 70 degrees at night. Offshoots (for new plants) are produced from stolons just below the surface. After the leaves on the new rosettes begin to open, these can be taken from the parent plant and repotted.

The thick, fleshy green leaves grow to maturity in about 3 years. Upon maturity, the Aloe plant is harvested. The leaves - the precious, life-giving part of the plant – are removed by carefully making a small incision on the leaves, near the base of the plant. This is done with great prudence as a deep cut may damage the plant.

Properties of the fresh leave of an Aloe Vera

The aloe vera gel contains, 20 amino acids, 12 anthraquinones: Aloe emodin, Aloetic Acid, Aloin, Anthracine, Antranol, Barbaloin, Chrysophanic Acid, Emodin, Ethereal Oil, Ester of Cinnamonic Acid, Isobarbaloin, Resistannol, 8 enzymes : Aliiase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Amylase, Carboxypeptidase, Catalase, Cellulase, Lipase, Peroxidase, hormones : Auxins and Gibberellins, Lignin, 9 minerals : Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, salicylic acid, saponins, sterols : Cholesterol, Campesterol, Lupeol, Sitosterol, monosaccharides: glucose & fructose Polysaccarides: gluco-mannans / polymannose, vitamins : A, C, E, B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12), Choline, B12, Folic Acid.

* Against Psoriasis Lesions

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Tropical Medicine and International Health, 60 patients with chronic psoriasis were given a 0.5% aloe vera extract in a mineral oil creme. The ointment was applied three times daily for five consecutive days (15 applications total per week) for four weeks. When patients were checked after eight months, far more psoriasis skin lesions had healed in the aloe group (82.8%) than in the placebo group (7.7%). Further, 83.3% of the aloe group were considered cured of their psoriasis compared to only 6.6% of the placebo group. (Doctor Filatov, 1945).

* Super hydrating agent

It penetrates 4 times faster than water and 7 times deeper (Docteur Danhov, 1984).

* Reduces Blood Sugar in Diabetes

Aloe reduced the blood sugar levels in diabetics, as reported in Hormone Research. Five patients with adult (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes were given 1/2 teaspoon of aloe extract daily for up to 14 weeks. Blood sugar levels were reduced in all patients by an average of 45%, with no change in their total weight. (Doctor Om Prakash Agarwal)

Reduces Arthritic Swelling

Aloe can help prevent arthritis and reduce the inflammation in joints already affected by arthritis, according to the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Aloe can also inhibit the autoimmune reaction associated with certain forms of arthritis, in which the body attacks its own tissues.

Aloe vera is also known for its health and medical effects

* regenerator of new cells,

* Helps Heal Wounds,

* Soothes Burns ,

* Minimizes Frostbite Damage,

* Screens Out Radiation.