Aloe Vera - Origin, Benefits and Risks
The Aloe vera plant is an African succulent that is popular in
folk remedies. Today, you can find Aloe vera outside Africa
since it is a popular garden plant, especially in dry areas
where gardens must be created with the climate in mind. Aloe
vera is also commercially cultivated all over the world to be
used in folk medicines. Outside Africa, you will find the
largest Aloe vera farms in the Mediterranean region, the United
States, the Caribbean and Japan. An Aloe vera plant will also do
well indoors, but keep in mind that it can grow very large and
need re-potting.
Just like all the other succulent plants, the Aloe vera can
store large amounts of water. This is an adaptation to a life in
regions susceptible to droughts. Wild Aloe vera is commonly
found in regions that experience large temperature differences
between day and night. When the dew falls, the Aloe vera can
absorb the moist and use it to survive. The Aloe vera will store
water in its large fleshy leaves. Inside an Aloe vera leaf, you
will find a clear jellylike liquid. This liquid forms the base
of the Aloe vera juice that is so popular in folk medicine. If
you grow your own Aloe vera plant, you can use the gel directly
instead of converting it into Aloe vera juice. The gel is for
instance used on minor injuries and burns since many people find
it soothing and pain relieving. It also has antibacterial
properties.
Aloe vera can also be used internally, but the scientific
studies regarding its affects on the human body is still limited
and internal Aloe vera treatments should therefore always be
embarked on with caution. Discussing the treatment with a
licenses medical professional is recommended. Internal Aloe vera
treatment is popular among patients suffering from heartburn,
ulcers, diverticular disorders and other digestive problems. It
is suspected that the antibacterial property of the Aloe vera is
the cause of the relief reported by many patients.
In commercially available Aloe vera remedies, it is usually Aloe
vera juice that forms the active ingredient. If you by
low-quality Aloe vera remedies, they might not have been made
from pure Aloe vera juice. If other parts of the plant enter the
remedy, the treatment can act as a strong laxative. This effect
is cause by the so called Aloe vera latex that is located in
special cells, the so called pericyclic tubules, which are found
along the inner skin of the Aloe vera leaf. Proper processing
methods are necessary to ensure that no latex enter the Aloe
vera juice. If you experience unwanted laxative effects or
cramps when using medications containing Aloe vera, you should
refrain from using it and try to find a better manufacturer that
can provide you with high-quality Aloe vera products.
Never use Aloe vera internally if you are currently using oral
corticosteroids, since Aloe vera will interact with this
medication. Beclomethasone, Prednisone and Methylprednisolone
are three common examples of oral corticosteroids. The
combination can cause potassium deficiency and poisoning.
Psyllium will also be affected by the active compounds in Aloe
vera, and combining the two remedies are therefore unadvisable.
If you still choose to do so, you should make sure that you
never ingest them simultaneously. Allow at least two hours to
pass before you take the second drug.