Active components with its properties:
Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins,
enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino
acids.
- Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
- Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
- Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
- Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.
- Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
- Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
- Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.
- Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.
Aloe Vera Benefits for Health
Like most other succulents, Aloe Vera
too contains self-healing properties. Therefore, from ancient times Aloe
Vera has been considered the most incredible herb, superior to garlic,
in offering innumerable benefits.
Eliminates Cancer Tumour
Aloe Vera helps terminate cancer
cells and tumors as Polysaccharides, a substance, found in Aloe Vera
with increased production of nitric oxide, a chemical, with an ability
to weaken and reduce cancer tumours. Acemannan, a phytonutrient found in
Aloe Vera has anti-cancer properties with an ability to quicken the
obliteration of cancer cells and tumors. They also help recoup from
lethal cancer treatments.
Cures Radiation Burns
Aloe
Vera acts as a curative to burns obtained from Radiotherapy treatment
for cancer. Internal and external uses of Aloe Vera quicken the healing
process and provide immense relief.
Eases Inflammation
Regular consumption of Aloe Vera juice
for over fifteen days help alleviate symptoms of inflammation in the
body such as rheumatism, arthritis and inflammation of the eyes and
ears. External application of the gel helps ease muscle and joint pain.
Boosts Nourishment
This wonder herb has the capacity to
augment the antioxidant effects of certain vitamins such as vitamins E
and C.This is due to its ability to enhance the quality of blood and
help carrying the essential nutrients and the oxygen efficiently to the
body’s tissues and cells.
Promotes Digestive Health
Polysaccharides provide therapeutic
benefits. Consumption of Aloe Vera juice provides relief from
digestional disorders. It eliminates gastrointestinal disorders such as
heart and acid reflux, stabilises the alkaline acid in the body,
prevents symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, acts as a laxative and
avoids constipation. Hence, Aloe Vera offers excellent cure for ulcers,
Celiac and Crohn’s diseases.
Improve Circulatory Health
A sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet rich in junk food
containing high amounts of salt, saturated fats and hydrogenated oils
lead to clumping of the blood cells leading to life threatening
diseases. These clumps obstruct sufficient supply of oxygen and other
essential nutrients to the cells, tissues and the brain
due to an obstruction caused by clumping of blood cells in the
circulatory system. Nevertheless, Aloe Vera helps ease blood stickiness
making the blood less sticky thus promoting circulatory health.
Regulates Blood Pressure
With its ability to reverse blood
stickiness, and promoting circulatory health by making the blood flow
smoothly, preventing the heart from pumping forcibly Aloe Vera helps
lower high blood pressure.
Prevents Heart Attack and Stroke
Since Aloe Vera enhances the quality of
blood by making it less sticky and prevent clumping of the blood cells,
they prevent the risk of developing heart attacks and stroke.
Manage Diabetes
Since Aloe Vera contains antidiabetic
properties, they help manage diabetes by stabilising blood sugar levels.
They also augment circulatory health thus preventing numbness in the
hands and legs, one of the major symptoms of diabetic peripheral
neuropathy.
Prevents Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Aloe Vera helps balance blood chemistry
improving the viscosity of the blood. This helps maintain healthy
triglyceride and cholesterol levels, improving cardiac performance.
Protects renal health
According to recent studies Aloe Vera,
is beneficial for particular kinds of renal diseases as they help flush
out excess water from the body. They prevent renal diseases caused by
Type 2 diabetes. This was evident in rats with diabetic induced kidney
disease who when ingested with aloe vera showed remarkable improvement
in their condition. They protect the body against the risk of kidney
stones by defending oxalates from invading the body.
Encourages Gynaecological Health
The miracle herb aids healthy
functioning of the uterus and regulates menstruation and cure fibroids
and ovarian cysts with herbal treatment. Since they contain antimicrobic
properties, they impede fungal bacterial and viral infections like
herpes and Candida infections thereby preventing vaginal itching. The
plants anti-inflammatory substances protect against gynaecological
related inflammations.
Provides First Aid solution
Aloe Vera comes in handy and acts as an
excellent first aid solution. They make excellent dressing for wounds by
increasing the blood flow, protecting the skin against harmful bacteria
and infections thus hastening the healing process. They also cure
third degree burns, reinstate normal skin and prevent blisters. They
protect the tissue damage from frostbite and protect the skin from the
harsh rays of the skin preventing sunburns.
Treats Skin Ailments
Aloe Vera is very effective in treating
and preventing skin disorders, due to its ability to seep through the
multiple layers of the skin. Therefore, it is beneficial for disorders
such as herpes, eczema, psoriasis, Lichen Planus, dermatitis and skin
allergies.
Support Dental Health
Aloe Vera is useful for strengthening
the gums and promoting strong healthy teeth. Most toothpaste available
in the market contains Aloe Vera as the main ingredient therefore
preventing bad breath. As an alternative remedy, massaging the gums and
teeth with Aloe Vera may be very useful.
Aloe Vera Benefits For Beauty
Enhances skin health
Pampering
the skin with Aloe Vera provides wonderful benefits for the skin.
Therefore, it is widely used as a main ingredient in many beauty
products and cosmetics to enhance the skin tone.
Moisturiser
The amazing moisturising substances in
the plant provide ample hydration, getting rid of dead cells, keeping
the skin soft, supple and glowing.
Pigmentation
They reduce dark spots pigmentation dark patchy, dry flaky skin and freckles rendering a healthy glow to the face.
Acne
The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera prevent the outbreak of acne and pimples, healing the lesions and the acne scars effectively.
Wrinkles
Aloe Vera has the capability of
stimulating the production of collagens and elastins, resulting in skin
rejuvenation and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
Complexion
Aloe Vera is a wonderful remedy for removing suntan and for promoting a glowing even complexion devoid of dark patches.
Antiaging
Aloe Vera revitalises the skin, prevents ageing by eliminating dead cells and promoting a skin as good as new.
Stretch Marks
Aloe Vera works wonders with stretch marks by eliminating traces of them.
Nails
A good massage to lacklustre nails with Aloe Vera helps strengthen and restore their sheen.
Oily skin
Aloe Vera with astringent properties
reduce excessive production of the sebaceous glands thus reducing the
oil production on the face.
Alopecia
The best treatment for hairloss Aloe Vera containing anti-inflammatory properties cure alopecia and reduces hairloss.
Hair growth
Aloe Vera increases hair growth and stimulates growth in balding areas.
Moisturiser
Application of Aloe Vera gel strengthens and moisturises the hair root preventing dry flaky scalp.
Conditioner
Aloe Vera acts as an excellent conditioner and keeps the luscious locks manageable and attractive.
Dandruff
Aloe Vera is an excellent remedy for
treating dandruff. Massaging aloe Vera gel to the affected parts
besides reducing prevents further occurrence.
