Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis Mill.

There is so much information on the plant so I will be breaking it down into several pages for ease of loading. Part 1 covers the magickal uses and provides an overview of what this herb does, the indications and cautions from which we can build.

Aka: Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe, Kumari (Sanskrit name), Lu hui (Chinese name) Aloe, Aloe Vera, Indian Alces, Ghirita, Gawarpaltra, Burn Plant, Medicine Plant, Saqal, Zabila.

Magickal Uses:

It is a feminine plant, ruled by water and the Moon. It is a protective plant and keeping one around your house or in your garden will protect against evil influences and accidents. Hang over doors to drive away evil and to bring good luck (African tradition). In Mexico, it forms part of a wreath for protection, luck and money. It is also a funeral herb, planted on graves to assist the departed soul with peace until their resurrection or safe passage to the next life. It is also associated with success and also to bring love to the lonely and prevents loneliness in general.

Health Uses:

Aloe Vera is one of nature's most powerful healers. There are many species of Aloe but the main medicinal one is Aloe Vera Barbadensis. The succulent aloe has been used since prehistoric times for the treatment of burns, wound infections, and other skin problems. Medicinal aloe is pictured in an ancient cave painting in South Africa, and Alexander the Great is said to have captured an island off Somalia for the sole purpose of possessing the luxurious crop of aloe found there. In present day, most people will have used this plant whether it is for sunburn or in toiletries or for health reasons. The plant has remarkable qualities. It is particularly known for its penetrating capacity to reach deeper layers of the dermis when applied topically. It has strong antiseptic properties being bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal. It promotes cell growth. It is neurologically calming and also acts as a detoxifying agent. Two parts of the leaf are used: the clear gel-like central leaf pulp, and green juice from the green part of the leaf. The gel is used in a variety of skin products to rehydrate and soothe the skin. It cools the skin, protects it from airborne infections and fungi, and reduces scarring. It speeds cell regeneration, and so treats radiation burns, coral wounds, and dermatitis. It can be scraped from split leaves for first-aid treatment on cuts, chapped skin, sunburn, eczema, and Poison Ivy rash. Compounds in the leaf juice are added to sunscreens for protection against UV rays and have shown anticancer activity. However, research has shown that is has far more uses than just dermatological uses and continues to be studied. Internally, it is also used as a laxative, detoxicant, immune booster and many more aspects that we will cover as this section is developed.

So how does it all work? The guide given below breaks down the constituents of Aloe and how they can help you maintain healthy lives.

v Amino Acids

The body needs 22 amino acids – the gel provides 20 of these. More importantly, it provides 7 out of the 8 essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesise: Provides the basic building blocks of proteins in the production of muscle tissue etc

v Sterols

Fatty Acids : Provides 4 main plant steroids: Cholesterol, Campesterol, Lupeol, ß Sitosterol: Anti-inflammatory agents. Lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.

v Anthraquinones

Provides 12 anthraquinones: Aloe Emodin, Aloetic Acid, Aloin, Anthracine, Antranol, Barbaloin, Chrysophanic Acid, Emodin, Ethereal Oil, Ester of Cinnamonic Acid, Isobarbaloin, Resistannol: These are found exclusively in the plant sap. In relatively small concentrations together with the Gel fraction they provide Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal & Antiviral activity. In high concentration on their own they can be toxic. The anthraquinone derivatives (anthrones & chromones) comprise the phenolic fraction of the sap. The primary sap component is Aloin/Barbaloin anthrone derivative. In small quantities, when they do not exert their purgative effect, they aid absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract and have anti-microbial and pain killing effects. In some commercial health drinks, the anthraquinones are removed because of the fear of producing abdominal pain or diarrhoea. The important ones, Aloin and Emodin, act as painkillers. They also function as anti-bacterials and anti-virals.

v Enzymes

Provides 8 enzymes: Aliiase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Amylase, Carboxypeptidase, Catalase, Cellulase, Lipase, Peroxidase: Helps breakdown of food sugars and fats aiding digestion & enhancing nutrient absorption. One in particular, Bradykinase, helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically and therefore reduces pain, whereas others help digest any dead tissues in wounds. Lipases and proteases, which break down foods and aid digestion, are present.

v Hormones

Auxins & Gibberellins: Wound Healing & Anti-inflammatory

v Lignin

Cellulose based substance: This in itself is an inert substance but when included in topical preparations it endows Aloe Vera with a singular penetrative effect so the other ingredients are absorbed into the skin.

v Minerals

Provides 9 minerals: Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc: Essential for good health and is known to work in certain combination with each other, vitamins and other trace elements

v Vitamins

A, C, E, B, Choline, B12, Folic Acid: Antioxidant (A,C,E): neutralises free radicals. B's & Choline involved in amino acid metabolism, B12 required for production of red blood cells, Folic Acid in the development of blood cells.

v Salicylic Acid

An aspirin-like compound possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

v Saponins

Glycosides: These soapy substances form about 3% of the Aloe Vera gel and are capable of cleansing, having antiseptic properties. These act powerfully as anti-microbials against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts.

v Sugars

These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant, which surrounds the inner gel, and are known as mucopolysaccharides, which enhance the immune system and help to detoxify. Aloe Vera contains both mono and polysaccharides, but the most important are the long chain sugars involving glucose and mannose or the gluco-mannans. These sugars are ingested whole from the gut, not broken down like other sugars, and appear in the bloodstream in exactly the same form. This process is known as pinocytosis. Once in the blood stream they are able to exert their immuno-regulating effect. Some of these polysaccharides are not absorbed but stick to certain cells lining the gut and form a barrier preventing absorption of unwanted material so helping to prevent a "leaking" gut syndrome. In topical preparations the sugars are also the main moisturisers.

The above breakdown was taken from articles found at http://www.aloevera.co.uk/aloeprop.htm and http://www.ymp93.dial.pipex.com/doctors/atherton.htm

At a glance

v Emollient

v Vulnerary

v Tonic

v Demulcent

v Vermifuge

v Alterative

v Cathartic

v Emmenagogue, uterine stimulant, abortifacient

v Anthelmintic

v Laxative

v Choleretic

v Stomachic

v Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal.

v Biogenic Stimulator

v Cholagogue

v Demulcent

v Emollient

v Hepatic

v Purgative

v Rejuvenative

v Vulnerary.

Cautions

v The powder in any substantial amount is contraindicated during pregnancy because the anthraquinone glycosides are strongly purgative and stimulates uterine contractions.

v High doses of the leaves can cause vomiting.

v Take internally only under medical supervision.

v In addition, keep in mind that if aloe is successful as a treatment for diabetes, blood sugar levels could fall too low, necessitating a reduction in medication dosage. It is known to potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of Glibenclamide by oral administration in clinical trial

v Overdose can cause gastritis, diarrhoea and nephritis.

v Also, because it is excreted in breast milk, it should be avoided during lactation, as it may be purgative to the child.

v This herb, as with all laxatives, should not be used in cases of intestinal obstruction when there is danger of an intestinal rupture. Additionally it is contraindicated in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and inflamed haemorrhoids.

v Chronic use of "whole aloe leaf" will deplete electrolytes, especially potassium, bringing about muscle weakness and increased constipation. Potassium depletion can lead to paralysis of intestinal musculature, making the laxative less effective. Additionally there may be damage to the mesenteric plexus. Therefore this herb should not be used for more than 8 - 10 consecutive days for this purpose.

v Potassium loss can disturb cardiac rhythm and potentiate cardiac glycoside toxicity, as found in digitalis usage. Oral aloe latex should not be used by individuals taking diuretics or Digoxin (a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms and congestive heart failure). These medications lower potassium levels in the body, so a combination of aloe and Digoxin or diuretics can result in dangerously low levels of this important mineral.

v Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of this herb the following interactions are possible: when taken with anaesthetics an increased hypotensive effect; potentiation of antihypertensives; when taken with diuretics difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result; antagonism of sympathomimetics.