A-Z natural remedy Articles

Aloe vera is a succulent (cactus-like) plant whose sap has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years. You can use it on the skin and take it internally to soothe the digestive tract. Most of us are familiar with the use of Aloe on sunburns, but did you know that you can also use it internally? Read on as we share the many benefits of aloe vera.

External Use for Skin

Aloe vera gel is best known for its benefits to the skin when used topically. This is because aloe gel has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. When used externally, it speeds the healing of many types of skin burns, including those from sun, radiation, chemicals and heat. It can also help to reduce the discomfort associated with these conditions, when applied soon after the trauma. Although it does not directly reverse sun damage, Aloe can help to prevent sun damage after exposure by blocking certain pro-inflammatory pathways in the affected cells.

You can use aloe vera topically to treat:

• cuts
• insect stings
• acne
• poison ivy
• skin ulcers (including diabetic ulcers)
• eczema

There is some evidence that topical application can help to reduce outbreaks of genital herpes and psoriasis as well.

Cosmetic Benefits

Because of its ability to help reduce inflammation and speed the healing of the skin, Aloe is commonly used in a wide variety of cosmetic and skin-care products. It has been widely approved around the world as a natural food additive. It is also commonly used as a gentle antibacterial moisturizer.

Aloe Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Benefits

Because of its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, Aloe vera gel is commonly used to protect damaged tissue from infection. It can also be used to topically treat minor skin Infections such as boils and Tinea infections. This makes it particularly useful in helping to treat conditions such as Acne. When taken internally, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties heal the inner lining of the digestive tract, making it useful in treating ulcers, hemorrhoids and colitis.

Aloe Juice (Latex)

When the plant is harvested, the juice located in, and just beneath, the outer skin contains a far greater concentration of a constituent called aloin, which can create a laxative effect in the body. This substance is called the latex. In fact, many over the counter laxatives in North America contain this constituent. Thus, Aloe juice is a laxative that can be used for constipation and as a colon cleanser. The gel does not contain as much of a laxative effect and is more commonly used for its soothing properties.

Those using Aloe internally should be careful about the preparation they use to ensure that they get the desired effects without any unwanted side effects. This is especially true in cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, where an irritating laxative can do more harm than good. Please read the labels carefully to make sure you purchase the form of Aloe your particular case requires.

Laxative Effects of Aloe

While the juice (latex) of the Aloe plant can be used as a laxative, the body will develop a tolerance over time. Consequently, it cannot be used too frequently or on an ongoing basis for the treatment of constipation. It can also have a strong laxative effect that can result in cramping and diarrhea. Use caution with your first use of any internal Aloe product to be sure you get the dosing right for your particular needs. Some forms of Aloe can coat and soothe the digestive tract and help to soften stools. Some Aloe acts as a soluble fibre, so it can bind medications and reduce their absorption. Be sure to take any form of Aloe away from other supplements and medications.

Blood Sugar Benefits

There is some initial evidence that Aloe may help to improve blood sugar control in diabetics and can also help to lower blood lipid levels in people suffering from hyperlipidemia. This effect is also seen in those with acute liver disease.

How can I get Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera can be purchased as a juice or gel. It is very sensitive to light and heat, and so it must be processed and stabilized immediately after harvest. The quality of Aloe vera supplements may vary amongst manufacturers because of the fragile nature of the Aloe gel. Be sure to use a manufacturer that you trust. If you have an Aloe plant at home, parts of the raw plant can be opened and the fresh juice or gel used topically or internally. Most commercial supplements contain the whole-leaf, and therefore, a mixture of juice and gel from all parts of the leaf. Be sure to take oral Aloe away from other supplements and medications as it can affect their absorption.

Aloe Vera FAQs

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant. Its juice has been used as a remedy for centuries.

How to use Aloe?

You can use aloe both topically and internally. Topically, aloe gel works to moisturize and soothe the skin. When taken internally, aloe is typically used as a laxative. There is some evidence to suggest that it may also help to support healthy blood sugar.

What is the difference between Aloe Vera juice and gel?

Aloe juice is more similar to sap, and is what you would typically take internally. The gel, on the other hand, is the thicker substance that comes from the inside of the aloe leaves.

Where can I buy Aloe Vera gel?

You can buy aloe gel and juice at most health food stores.

Dark, and strongly flavoured honey is made by normal honey bees but is created using the nectar of one plant, namely the Manuka bush found in Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey has been found to have several antimicrobial properties, but the potency of these varies by region and manufacturer.

Top Advantages of Manuka Honey

Honey is Antimicrobial

Most honey contains an enzyme that, when diluted, produces hydrogen peroxide, the same substance commonly used to clean wounds. It also contains a very high sugar content; surprisingly, although sugar is a food source for bacteria, high concentrations of sugar prevent microbial growth.

Wound Healing Properties

Honey has been used to treat infected wounds for thousands of years. Its use dwindled with the development of antibiotics but is rekindling now that many strains of bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant. Interestingly, Manuka has been shown to prevent the replication of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a common "superbug" frequently found in hospitals. When compared with conventional treatments, Manuka honey is more effective for treating superficial and partial-thickness burns of the skin.

Manuka Honey As A Mouthwash

Honey has been shown to stop the growth of dental plaque almost equally to chlorhexidine mouthwash and also reduces the amount of acid produced in the mouth. Acid is the main factor promoting the loss of enamel in the teeth. Since the disease processes of gingivitis and periodontal disease are similar to the inflammation involved in infected wounds, honey may be a potential treatment option. It is excellent at helping to clear infection, and rapidly reducing pain and inflammation. Honey is also far gentler on surrounding healthy tissues than many antiseptics, and has even been found to stimulate the growth of cells that promote wound repair.

Understanding The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)

It has been shown that honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide when diluted with water. Manuka honey has been shown to contain other antimicrobial substances in addition to this enzyme found in all honey. This additional antimicrobial activity is measured as the "unique Manuka factor" or UMF, which varies by source and manufacturer, and is often listed on product labels. This is a standardization of its antimicrobial activity against a phenol solution of known concentration. Manuka honey with a UMF of 15 is as efficient at killing Staphylococcus aureus (a common skin pathogen), as a 15% phenol solution. This scale allows for the comparison of different Manuka honey products against one another for antimicrobial activity.

Manuka's Key Properties

It has been proposed that the active ingredient of Manuka honey that creates its additional anti-microbial ability is methylglyoxal (MGO). Because of this, one company standardizes its product to MGO levels instead of UMF. This is not an industry standard, and may not be a valid standardization. In general, honey with all MGO levels above 30 will have a UMF of at least 10, and so should be good sources of antimicrobial action.

Shopping Tips For Quality Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is available from most supplement stores and is made by several different companies. In general, a UMF of 10 is the minimum for anti-microbial action. MGO levels are not industry standard for comparison, but in general, all Manuka honey with an MGO greater than 30 will have a UMF greater than 10. Manuka honey can be applied topically under a dressing to treat a burn or wound. Dressings should be checked every 2 days. It can also be used internally to help kill bacteria in the throat or simply added to food for flavour.

Important Information & Considerations

Unpasteurized honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. Because of this, unpasteurized honey should not be fed to immunocompromised individuals or children under the age of 12 months.