Aloe Vera and its Wonderful Health Benefits

| Modified on Apr 12, 2023
Aloe Vera Health Benefits

Aloe vera is a unique plant that possesses a number of healing qualities. A member of the lily family, aloe vera is also a relative to garlic and onions. With its unique composition, various parts of the plant are used to treat different health conditions and can be applied both internally and externally.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is considered a succulent plant species that is found only in cultivation. Frequently used for medicinal care, the plant is often described as a “wonder plant.” Somewhat short-stemmed and shrub-like, aloe vera possesses succulent leaves from which the well-known gelatinous aloe substance is taken.


Aloe vera is comprised of over 200 active elements including a combination of vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharides and fatty acids. All of these nutrients together make aloe the beneficial substance that it is. The plant is also known as an adaptogen, as it boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external modifications and resist disease.

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe is effective in a variety of ways and can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Aside from being an adaptogen, aloe is high in important vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, E, B12, calcium, magnesium, zinc and others. The substance also contains a high concentration of amino acids and fatty acids. As such, aloe functions in detoxification, alkalization, oxygenation and immune support.

With its variety of nutritional benefits, aloe is capable of treating a range of health conditions both internally and externally. Acid reflux, acne, cancer, celiac disease, fatigue and gum issues are among the most commonly treated conditions. However, constipation, shingles, sore throat, ulcers, depression, burns and irritable bowel syndrome can also be treated using this compound.

While aloe comes in a variety of forms, fresh aloe straight from the plant is typically best. Aloe can be taken on a regular basis; however, it is most effective when taken for short periods of time as it is needed. With its variety of nutrients and range of health benefits, aloe is one of the most effective health treatments available today.




Acid Reflux

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Posted by Zinnia (Wappingers Falls, New York) on 06/04/2007
★★★★★

My daughter Stefanie developed an acid reflux. She was given an anti acid Rx. It temporarily stopped. I researched the wonders of Aloe Vera and found that it treated her. Since then whenever it occurs, I give her juice mixed with Aloe Vera juice. It works wonder.


Acne

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Posted by NADIA (LONDON, UK) on 03/24/2008
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I HAVE TAKEN ALOE VERA JUICE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS...EVERY MORNING AND NIGHT.. IT HAS TOTALLY CLEARED UP MY TERRIBLY PERSISTENT ADULT ACNE.MY SKIN IS VERY RARELY BLEMISHED NOW AND IS PLUMP AND YOUTHFUL.

HOWEVER RECENTLY I HAVE HAD QUITE EXTREME HAIR LOSS FROM ALL OVER MY HEAD. MY MOTHER THINKS IT COULD BE FROM THE CITRIC ACID USED AS A PRESERVATIVE IN THE ALOE VERA JUICE.

HAS ANYONE COME ACROSS THIS, OR HAS ANY THOUGHTS?:)


Acne Scars

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Posted by K (Chicago, IL) on 07/02/2009
★★★★★

I have been using fresh aloe juice/gel/flesh topically overnight on my chest and back to try to heal scarring due largely to acne. I had been dealing with acne and scarring for months now. Just two nights of applying aloe liberally and directly onto my skin, letting it dry a bit, and then putting on a pajama top overnight has produced surprisingly good results. I am so relieved and amazed. I recommend this very simple, inexpensive, and natural method to everyone.


Aloe Side Effects

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Posted by Roma (New York) on 09/26/2017

I was reading all these wonderful remedies using the aloe leaf but I must caution you on other effects. I would use a sliver of the leaf in my smoothie but a blood lab result showed that my hemoglobin levels lowered. Some people don't mind that happening but I did. It can act as a blood thinner. I abstained for a few weeks and took another blood test and my levels increased. Proving my point.

Replied by Mary
(Nebraska)
09/27/2017

This study seems to confirm the risk of lowering the hemoglobin with the use of aloe.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4399423/

Olissima
(Md)
03/25/2021

Mary, are you referring to lowering A1C? I looked at the article and it's about diabetes. A1C (or H1AC) is a marker for monitoring blood sugar. It is NOT hemoglobin level. You need to look at Hb, which is different from A1C.

Replied by Tim
(Minnesota)
04/12/2023
8 posts

A1c is the glycated blood protein, a measure of blood sugar levels. Lower hemoglobin A1c is good!


Aloe Vera Oil

Posted by Earth Clinic (USA) on 07/12/2011

Hello Everyone,

Ted is writing a lot about Aloe Vera Oil lately, so we decided to do an internet search to see if it is available and where it's sold. Here is it on Amazon, selling for $6.45 a bottle: http://www.amazon.com/100-Pure-Aloe-Vera-Oil/dp/B000S6V8CU

According to 1 reviewer, "This is Aloe Vera Oil - Which by my understanding is a carrier vegetable oil in which mashed-up aloe Vera has been soaked. Then it's separated and you get Aloe Vera Oil. It comes in a flip-top squeeze bottle labeled "Pure Aloe Vera Oil."

If anyone on Earth Clinic has located additional sources, please post them in this thread! Thanks.

Replied by Grannyof2
(Texas, Usa)
04/16/2014

This message is for Ted: Searching the internet, the only aloe vera oil I have found is aloe vera gel mixed with different oils like almond oil or safflour oil. I haven't found a way to extract oil from the aloe vera plant. I grow aloe vera and would rather make my own aloe vera oil, but I don't know which oil to use. Ted, can you please clear up which oil to mix with the aloe vera gel to get the aloe vera oil you recommend? Or a source for the aloe vera oil? Thank you.

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok, Thailand)
04/17/2014
391 posts

There IS aloe vera oil. It is found in Australia suppliers and Texas where they make aloe vera oil. My friend also sells aloe vera oil here in Thailand. No oils is mixed in, only aloe oil. Ted

Replied by Yogananna
(France)
02/13/2018

Just wanted to remind/inform that OLD Aloe leaves can be very bad for sensitive skin. If you break open an old leave and smear you skin with it you're in big trouble if you have sensitive skin. It happened to my daughter. Raised red itchy everywhere the aloe touched. I believe the lavender oil we put as soon as she noticed it helped a lot to clam it down. Just make sure you use young leaves.

Replied by Shay
(Cape Town, S Africa)
08/02/2018

Oh interesting, Yogananna. Especially as I'm the perfect guinea pig for everything as a hypersensitive. I've been using Aloe Ferox/ aka Bitter Aloe (supposedly 20x more potent all around than the Vera variety) on and off for a couple of years. As often as I can harvest it and blend in our summer as a sunblock and ingest it also. Never once have I had anything but soothed and calmed facial skin and I apply 2/3 times. I harvest big and small leaves, from the bottom and top of the stem.


Aloe Vera Preparation and Recipe

Posted by Frank (Perth and Mindarie, W. Australia) on 06/07/2013

I am a big believer, use Aloe Vera for years already, and do not understand why would anyone use/trust any Aloe product, when it is so easily available in its God created natural form? One can easily grow it in the garden, or in pots. It multiplies endlessly. Every year at least double the amount you've planted. I do one 4 to 6 weeks course 2x a year. To increase its benefits and to prevent/heal other problems I have, I use it in the following manner:

I take one stick of Aloe, wash it, gently cut the thorns off and slice it into the blender. Add 1 washed sliced lemon (all included), add 4 sticks of asparagus, 10 flowers of Dandelion, 1 banana and a tbs of honey, (for taste). If you find it too strong, you can thin it up with water or milk. I use it first thing in the morning, my wife after a meal. It is our most important home remedy.

To keep it interesting please spend a few minutes and search the healing effects of Aloe Vera, Dandelion flowers plus roots (it grows wild in any part of the world), Asparagus. Like I mentioned banana and honey I add mainly for better taste. It has a bitter taste, but remember! Anything good in life tastes bitter.

Replied by Franko
(Perth, Mindarie, W. Australia)
06/14/2013

Like I said I grow my own Aloe Vera, it is as organic as possible. I just can't go wrong in there. On the other hand I've noticed, if I use/add other goodies from unreliable sources my body indicates/protests nearly immediately. The same applies if I eat something good, with healing qualities, my body indicates/communicates "keep doing it, I love it". Therefore keep communicate/listen to your body/organism. It is the very best indicator, your best advisor. No Doctor can beat that communication/advise. Unlike medications herbal/home remedies act pretty much immediately, and unlike medicatios/drugs have no or minimal side effects. Probably the biggest problem with the common use of everyday medications is the fact that they damage your bodies/organisms capacity to warn/communicate/indicate you are on the wrong path. In conclusion try to selfeducate yourself and use herbs, home remedies wherever and whenever possible. It might be time consuming, but extremely rewarding. "Its about your health! " Just about anything could be grown in your garden or in a pot. Good luck, Franko from Perth

Replied by Franko
(Perth/mindarie, W/australia)
06/21/2013

Franko again! Do not be afraid to experiment. I never ever follow anything blindly any longer. Things have to be adjusted to YOU! . Your body/organism communicates with you, so listen to it. When you try anything with Aloe Vera, first try it only simple! - like 1 stick of (I use a large/old) Aloe Vera, 1 banana, some lemon juice, (maybe half of a lemon), and a tbs of honey. It adds up to around 1/2 litres of drink. I drink it all at once. My wife drinks only a small glassful. And finally the benefits: Makes me feel full of energy. There are lots of necessary/beneficial minerals in Aloe, just like in Lemon, Dandelion, Asparagus, other herbs you can add, you may experiment with. Cleanes my digestive system out! Although I didn't check, but my bloodpressure isn't bothering me any longer. I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis, suffering from heart burning, (all this as the consequences of the drugs/medications I was given, never even slightly improving whatever it was given for, but causing a truckload of other complications), dissappeared, or eased up to a level that I live a pretty normal life. My body totally rejects even the simpliest medications. In contrast to my problems caused by medications, I do tolerate all the above mentioned, in spite of the bitter taste etc. I am also a huge believer/user of Kefir. (See my comments on Kefir). You can become "with an ease" your own very best DOCTOR, as long as you are willing/learn to listen to the needs of your body, and not to someone whose existence dippends on you being sick/treated and never ever cured. The less Doctors you see the less problems you have. The only time my grandma was seen by a Doctor, when she died in the arms of my grandfather. The only person who could give him a Death Certificate was the Doctor. My grandma always managed to cure/treat herself with simple herbs, home remedies she made at home. She had no medical training or education of any kind. Used only her simple/pure logic/honesty in approaching anything in life. Always worked!

Replied by Samantha
(Hawaii)
06/01/2022

The whole lemon peel adds quinine to the mix!!! Peel the green part off if too bitter but it's unclear if the peel is the antihelminthic part of the leaf.


Aloe Vera Side Effects

Posted by Sunny (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 06/29/2013

Does Aloe Vera have any negative side effects?

Replied by Sara
(Sacramento, Ca)
06/29/2013

You cannot take Aloe Vera for a longer period of time because your body will be depleted of Potassium.

Replied by Bachcole
(Colorado Springs, Colorado)
04/01/2014

Where did you hear this about potassium?

Replied by Lyn
(Ohio)
09/04/2018

@Sara: That makes no sense because aloe vera supplies potassium along with other important minerals (calcium copper selenium chromium manganese magnesium sodium and zinc) that are essential for proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways as per Dr. Josh Axe.


Aloe Vera Tip

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Posted by Janise (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/23/2009
★★★★★

Some comments on Aloe Vera. As the first poster suggested using the fresh aloe leaf is best. Most all bottled aloe vera juices use Citric Acid to preserve it. This is acidic and could be counter productive to the aloe juice. To get away from this use fresh aloe leaf blended with water. I tried the bottled aloe for my stomach Gerd and reflux and it upset my stomach but the fresh aloe did not.

For women using aloe vera juice, I was told by Dr. Deepak Chopra in a consultation to not drink aloe during a women's menses or period. It can stop your cycle.

Aloe is best drunk after meals or on an empty stomach between meals or a quarter cup before bed.


Celiac Disease

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Posted by Susan (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on 02/13/2010
★★★★★

Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I suffered a terrible bout of hiatal hernia with acid reflux (my dr. calls it GERD). He put me on a presciption to deal with the intense discomfort and I took it faithfully for a month with very little relief. Finally in desperation I bought a bottle of aloe juice, took it and within a day I was markedly improved. Within a week the aloe vera had virtually completely healed my stomach and intestinal problems. I use the juice from fillet and it is not as bitter. Now, years later, I still keep a bottle on hand to help me if I accidentally ingest gluten - it helps with the discomfort until the gluten is worked out of my system.


Celiac Disease
Posted by Eileen (Monroe, NY) on 11/16/2007
★★★★☆

Aloe vera - been using for 3 weeks now to heal from celiac disease - helped soothe and along with diet I'm seeing improvement.


Digestive Ailments

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Posted by Sunbeam (Atlantic City, New Jersey) on 05/18/2012
★★★★★

FORGET THE ACV & BAKING SODA.... HERE'S THE REAL CURE...... ALOE VERA JUICE, WHATEVER YOU HAVE GOING ON WITH YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IT TAKES CARE OF IT... BELIEVE ME IT IS THE BEST!!!!


Energy

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Posted by Cookie (Nashville, Tn) on 10/14/2011
★★★★★

I've been drinking Aloe Vera Juice for the last 2 months. 4oz in the morning and 4 oz at night, it has helped with my weight loss, heart burn, and energy. I recommend it to everyone and love the benefits of it!


Energy
Posted by Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 03/28/2009
★★★★★

Aloe Vera is an amazing energizer. It revitalizes the entire system. It is not a stimulant type of energy, you will just feel great, and begin to realize that your energy level just won't quit. Fresh aloe vera is best; if you live in a cold climate, house plants work well.

I take Aloe Vera often for it's overall health benefits, but especially if I am super tired or have had a very late night with perhaps a bit of drinking, and know that my energy is not going to get any better. It's a healthier feeling than just drinking a bunch of coffee, though I admit that on such a day I probably would add a bit of that too. I find that if I am super tired that drinking Green Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar, and/or taking Aloe Vera is best to do first, because these things help your body to truly be reenergized, while Coffee just pulls you up and wears your system out.


General Feedback

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Posted by Jo (Abq, Nm) on 04/11/2014
★★★★★

High in the mtns of NM, I can't grow Aloe outside, but keep great pots of it inside. Have to throw it on the compost, it multiplies so fast.


General Feedback
Posted by Wayout (Motown, Ca/ Usa) on 10/25/2012

Aloe vera is an incredible plant. It has not often been processed carefully enough to retain its full healing elements. It is now being discovered to have a critical role in the diet, a previously unrecognized "neccesary nutrient" status. As such, it is being branded a "Nutraceutical, " which could too easily become, food that needs a prescription.

Real aloe vera with the mannose molecules still intact, gathered and dried right, can then tell the body when to stop inflammation, and blocks or connects proteins to cells, thus modulating against auto-immune (self-fighting) conditions. And most conditions are being found to be such, as inflammation is the root of disease. This could literally prevent and heal many diseases, which is why it is becoming the "point man" for the battle to control the health of mankind. And unfortunately, I suspect there are some, who simply do not want to see everyone be well, but would rather make profits.

And a quote:

"Mannose molecules are components of the surface membranes of cells and are responsible for essential complex biochemical activities of cell life."

--T.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky)
10/26/2012
2063 posts

Good news, one can grow many of the common medicinal herbs for personal use OR can order the herb in "raw" or "bulk" form as it is not a controlled substance. The diet herb Ephedra Senica got pulled from the market as an ingredient for energy and weight loss. Manufacturers cannot add this herb to products but it isn't a controlled substance (not illegal) so one can buy the raw herb. As a side note the herb Bitter Orange (isn't "banned") is very similar to Ephedra Senica as it contains the alkaloid Synephrine slightly less harmful than the Ephedrine in E.S. For those of you out there not getting the necessary boost from caffeine products, add a little Bitter Orange and you will feel the difference (and lose weight).



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