A gel made from the herb aloe vera may help to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers.
A
team from the Barts and London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry
have carried out tests which show that the herb has a beneficial effect on the
production of substances which help boost the healing process in cases of
ulceration in the gut.
The
researchers believe aloe vera could be
particularly valuable in treating ulcers caused as a side effect of taking
anti-inflammatory NSAID drugs.
The
aloe vera gel was tested on a
culture of gastric cells at a concentration that is likely to be found in the
stomach after swallowing a dose.
Aloe
has been recognised as a painkiller, and since ancient times it has been used
to treat burns.
It
has also been used to treat other skin conditions such as scrapes, sunburns and insect bites.
Aloe is also a common
ingredient in cosmetics and lotions because it naturally balances the pH of the
skin.
Internally,
it has been used as a mild laxative. There is also some
evidence to suggest that it might enhance the functioning of the immune system.
Researchers
at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, are conducting trials to establish whether aloe
vera is an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gastroenterologist
Professor John Williams told BBC News Online:
"IBS
the most common condition we see and the most difficult to treat.
"It
is entirely benign, but extremely troublesome for people who have it.
"We
have some anecdotal evidence that aloe vera may help, but we need to know if
this is genuine effect, or simply linked to the fact that the condition
improves and then relapses."
Results
on the IBS trial, in which approximately 250 people will take part, will not be
known for two years.
The
research was presented at a meeting of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Healing Benefits of Aloe Vera -Plant's healing powers tested
Millions of people could benefit from pioneering
research at three south west Wales hospitals which are investigating the
medicinal properties of a desert plant.
Neath, Morriston and Singleton hospitals are the first to trial
aloe vera as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects
around 20% of the UK population.
More than 250 IBS sufferers in the region are taking part in the
two-year study, which will cost £50,000.
One of the volunteers Glyn Stevens, from Swansea, said the
condition, which ranges from acute diarrhoea to constipation, has had a
profound effect on his life.
"The pain is really bad and affects me on a daily
basis," he said.
"It makes me cough so much it almost chokes me."
Sufferers often desperately need to go to the toilet with little warning,
which severely limits their lifestyle.
Claire Hopkins, 26, from Penclawdd, said: "I have terrible
stomach problems which have really affected my life.
"A cure would be marvellous."
So far clinical research has failed to identify the causes of IBS
or a remedy for the condition.
However, experts working on the aloe vera trials
are hopeful they can exploit the plant's healing properties.
Professor John Williams, consultant gastroenterologist, said:
"IBS is very debilitating, causing troublesome symptoms which interfere
with the social and working life of the individual.
"This is a study to look for an alternative treatment.
"There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of the beneficial
properties of aloe vera but this has never been proven."
Healing benefits of Aloe Vera - Alternative medicine
Aloe vera is not a drug but is derived from a plant which is part
of the lily family.
It has been used as a complementary treatment since the 18th
Century.
Each aloe vera plant takes about five years to mature and has a
life span of about 12 years.
The leaves are harvested between three and four years of age which
is used to make the liquid, which will be the basis of the research.
The study is being funded by the Foundation for Integrated
Medicine.
To discover more about the health benefits and uses of aloe
vera, look no further than Yulia Berry’s e-book - “Aloe: Your Miracle Doctor”.
From here, you will learn about the wide array of internal and external uses of
aloe vera.
Yulia also dishes out tips on how you can prepare aloe in
your kitchen, depending on the condition that you would like to treat. She also
shares the history of aloe, why it is a must to take care of an aloe plant in
your own home. what its chemical composition is, what the biogenic stimulation
method is, and how it can be used for 130+ home remedies to treat more than
eighty different disorders.
According
to the website www.ibsgroup.org IBS
has been reported by 10 to 20% of the adult population of the United States and
IBS symptoms are responsible for over 3 million visits each year to the doctor.
IBS
is considered one of the most common functional GI disorders with 70% of the
sufferers being women.
According to the FDA, “Nearly all people with IBS can be helped, but no single
treatment works to reverse IBS for everyone. The first step is a personal
evaluation of history, stress level and diet.
People
who can identify particular foods or types of stress that bring on the problem
should avoid them. For most, especially those who tend to be constipated,
regular physical activity helps keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning
normally.”
“A substantial number of Americans with IBS have more severe symptoms that
often do not respond to dietary or lifestyle changes alone.
Drugs
that slow the function of the gastrointestinal tract and are considered to be
antispasmodics, such as Bentyl (dicyclomine hydrochloride), are frequently
prescribed. Antidiarrheal drugs, such as Lomotil (diphenoxylate) and Imodium
(loperamide), may help people with diarrhea.”
However, with the risks of medications such as Lotronex, people have sought out
alternatives to treat their illness.
According
to the British medical journal the Lancet, “GlaxoWellcome withdrew Lotronex
from the market after the deaths of five patients taking the drug.
There
had been 49 cases of ischaemic colitis and 21 of severe constipation, including
instances of obstructed and ruptured bowel.
In
addition to the deaths, 34 patients had required admission to hospital and then
need surgery.” The same article chided the FDA for their failure to act
appropriately in reviewing and approving Lotronex accusing the FDA as being a
“servant of industry”.
Alternative therapies to reverse IBS are being studied. For example, a recent
study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting
compared a probiotic with a placebo. The study found that those who received
the probiotic experienced significantly normalized bowel habits.
Jillian H. had suffered with IBS for a long time. “I've probably tried nearly
everything for IBS – it can be such a frustrating illness. I've had IBS for
about 10 years. It got really bad about a year ago, to the point I had to
change jobs and quit traveling altogether.”
Jillian suffered with her condition for many years and followed a variety of
orthodox treatments to improve the problem. “I went to the hospital for all the
tests, but as most of us know, there is nothing physicians can really offer for
IBS.”
Growing frustrated with little to no progress to reverse IBS following
conventional approaches, Jillian began seeking out alternatives. “After being
frustrated with the hospital experience, I decided to look into herbal
remedies, and found some that worked great for me: a herbal aloe drink and
probiotic.”
“I honestly don't have IBS symptoms anymore. I haven't had a stomach ache or
sharp pains in about 6 months now. It took me about 3 weeks – taking the aloe
and probiotic twice a day to feel better. I actually feel 'normal' now, which
is nothing short of a miracle after how sick I was. For the first time in about
10 years, I've been able to eat cheese, ice cream – things that normally would
send me in a tailspin.”
“My aunt, cousin and good friend in Chicago are all now on aloe and probiotics
– they all had IBS and have had great results too – no stomach aches and
greatly reduced pain, bloating and reflux issues. I strongly suggest these for
people who have IBS.”
By
Roman Bystrianyk
To discover more about the health benefits and uses of aloe
vera, look no further than Yulia Berry’s e-book - “Aloe: Your Miracle Doctor”.
From here, you will learn about the wide array of internal and external uses of
aloe vera.
Yulia also dishes out tips on how you can prepare aloe in
your kitchen, depending on the condition that you would like to treat. She also
shares the history of aloe, why it is a must to take care of an aloe plant in
your own home. what its chemical composition is, what the biogenic stimulation
method is, and how it can be used for 130+ home remedies to treat more than
eighty different disorders.
Although
we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be
taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Botanical
Classification: Family
Aloeceae
Genus and specie: Aloe vera -
Aloe barbadensis
Other names:
Barbados,
Cape, Curaiao, Socotrine, and Zanzibar aloe
Description of the
herb aloe vera:
Aloe
vera is a clump forming perennial with rosettes of thick, fleshy, spiky, grey-green
leaves, young specimens being red spotted, and the plant bears yellow tubular
flowers in summer.
Parts used:
The
slimy inside of the leave is used (also referred to as gel) as well as a juice
extracted from the pulpy inside and a yellow bitter laxative principle which is
an exudate from the leaf which is dried to a crystalline substance.
To
prevent any confusion, herewith a summary of uses:
Aloe vera gel:
This
is the naturally occurring and undiluted gel obtained by stripping away the
outer layer of the leaf.
Aloe vera concentrate
or extract:
This
is the product obtained when removing the water from the gel
Aloe vera juice:
This
is a drink for internal use that consist of at least 50% of the pulped aloe
gel.
Aloe vera latex or
bitter principle:
This
is a bitter yellow liquid derived from the pericyclic tubules of the rind of
the aloe and which primary constituent is aloin.
Properties:
It
is a bitter herb with anti-inflammatory, astringent, emollient, anti- fungal,
antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is useful in the eradication of
parasites and stimulating the uterus.
It
contains a host of compounds that are biologically active and includes
anthraquinones, saccharides and prostaglandins as well as other constituents.
Anthraquinones:
The
anthraquinones contained in aloe, which has the purging and laxative action on
the digestive system includes aloin (barbaloin), isobarloin, anthranol, aloetic
acid, anthracene, ester of cinnamic acid, aloe-emodin, emodin, chrysophanoic
acid, ethereal oil as well as resistannol.
Saccharides:
It
contains various saccharides including glycoprotein, mucopolysaccharide and
polysaccharides such as galactose, xylose, arabinose, acetylated mannose as
well as the remarkable acemannan.
Prostaglandins and
fatty acids:
The
conversion of fatty acids to prostaglandins are rare but the major unsaturated
fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid can be converted to 1-series prostaglandins
and have a very effective influence on reducing inflammation, allergy as well
as helping platelet aggregation (blood clotting at wound sites) as well as
wound healing.
Other constituents:
It
furthermore contains enzymes (oxidase, amylase, catalase, lipase and alkaline
phosphatase) amino acids (lysine, threonine, valine, methionine, leucine,
isoleucine and phenylalanine) vitamins (vitamin b1, B2, B6, C, E, folic acid,
choline and beta carotene) minerals (calcium, sodium, manganese, magnesium,
zinc, copper and chromium as well as other miscellaneous compounds such as
cholesterol, triglycerides, steroids, uric acid, lignins, beta-sitosterol,
gibberellin and salicylic acid.
Therapeutic uses of
aloe vera:
Internal use:
The
herb is used internally to combat most digestive problems, including:
constipation,
poor appetite, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome as well as - asthma, diabetes,
immune system enhancement, peptic ulcers.
Studies
have also shown that when aloe is taken internally it can stimulate and
regulate various components of the immune system by stopping the inflammation
and blood supply of tumors. It also showed interesting results in preventing
carcinogenic compounds from entering the liver and is combined in some cancer
treatments.
The
juice of the inner leave can be used for its anti-inflammatory effect it has on
Crohn's disease, but the laxative and bitter principle of aloe must NOT be used
by people suffering from Crohn's disease as it causes griping and cramping.
It
contains aloemannan which stimulates the growth of healthy kidney cells and
helps to slow the formation of kidney stones.
The
juice can be used very successfully to treat heartburn as well as ulcers and to
sooth the lining of the digestive tract. It is not that effective to treat
stress induced ulcers. However, it can be used for peptic ulcers caused by
excess acid, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as alcohol
use.
The
oral use of aloe has produced good results in patients suffering from asthma
when the asthma sufferers were not dependant on corticosteroids for treatment.
The
exude from the leaves are used as a strong purgative and stimulant laxative but
can cause griping and has an abortifacient effect and should not be used in
pregnancy.
The
bitter principle in aloe exudate which cause the laxative effect is preferable
to use than that of cascara and senna, as aloe draws less fluid into the large
intestine and are less likely to cause electrolyte imbalance than the other
two.
In
a study where volunteers ate 120 grams of parboiled aloe for lunch and supper a
marked decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides and sugar was found, while in
another test using aloe extract, it reduced fasting blood-sugar dramatically
which is probably due to the stimulating effect it has on the pancreas to
produce more insulin.
The
gel can be applied directly to the skin as a softening agent.
For
burns and other wounds aloe is particularly effective as it activates the
macrophages which fights bacterial infection while at the same time increasing
circulation to the area which results in accelerated healing.
The
enzymes - carboxypeptidase and bradykininase are both involved to reduce
swelling, itching, reducing inflammation as well as pain.
Studies
confirmed that wounds treated with aloe heal far faster than other wounds not
so treated - both for traumatic as well as surgical wounds.
This
may be because it contains not only vitamin E and C as well as zinc, but the
polysaccharides also reduce inflammation and stimulate the fibroblast and epidermal
growth and repair process.
The
juice is also effective for the treatment of minor wounds and insect bites by
forming a "natural plaster" over the wound.
It
has good astringent qualities and is usually combined with other ingredients,
to make an excellent, soothing treatments for the skin and can also be used
with great success on hemorrhoids (piles).
In
studies it also showed a marked result in producing remission in skin cancers
and its superb anti-oxidant effect is effective to help prevent skin damage
from x-rays and other forms of radiation.
When
applied regularly to psoriasis great results are achieved and relieve the pain
and inflammation of eczema.
When
people with frostbite was treated with a cream containing aloe, the incidence
of tissue loss and amputation was reduced.
Aloe-emodin
which is one of the ingredients not only has a laxative effect, but it is also
involved in killing the herpes virus which causes cold sores and shingles.
Aromatherapy and
essential oil use:
Aromatherapists
use aloe vera by infusing the plant material into a base oil, such as almond or
apricot kernel oil.
This
macerated oil exhibits astringent, emollient, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and
antiviral properties.
The
oil is combined in massage therapy for its healing and rejuvenating properties.
Safety precautions
and warnings:
Pregnant
and breast-feeding women should not use aloe latex (the laxative part)
internally, although the topical application of aloe to the skin has no effect
on pregnant or breastfeeding women.
People
suffering from problematic hemorrhoids, ulcers, diverticulosis, colitis,
Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome should consult a medical
practitioner or trusted herbalist before taking aloe internally.
Extreme
care should be taken with the administration of aloe laxatives, as this can
cause severe digestive upsets.
When
used topically, some individuals may have an allergic reaction and a skin patch
test (behind the ear or on the forearm) is advised before use.
by
Gerald Crawford, born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and African travel
concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa.
To discover more about the health benefits and uses of aloe
vera, look no further than Yulia Berry’s e-book - “Aloe: Your Miracle Doctor”.
From here, you will learn about the wide array of internal and external uses of
aloe vera.
Yulia also dishes out tips on how you can prepare aloe in
your kitchen, depending on the condition that you would like to treat. She also
shares the history of aloe, why it is a must to take care of an aloe plant in
your own home. what its chemical composition is, what the biogenic stimulation
method is, and how it can be used for 130+ home remedies to treat more than
eighty different disorders.
The
health of the colon is tantamount to the health of the whole person; therefore,
it is important to have good colon health. When one is sick, the other usually
is as well.
The
digestive system is the lifeline to not only how the body processes and absorbs
food but almost as importantly, how it eliminates waste. If waste is accumulated
and does not leave the body in a prompt amount of time, this can and will lead
to health issues.
The
colon, or large intestine, is the body orifice where waste products leave. The
body also has the skin to eliminate waste through sweating, the kidneys to get
rid of fluid waste and to some extent the liver where it processes the food and
nutrients that come into through the mouth and then the stomach.
Having
a stuffed up, dirty colon can lead to a wide array of health problems. The body
is under constant attack from outside sources that overwhelm the elimination
systems and cause illness and disease to develop.
There
are so many unwanted chemicals and other man-made substances in our
environment, it is almost impossible not to encounter some of them. Our bodies
are designed to be able to handle most toxins, but they cannot when faced with
so many.
So
how can one stave off some of this debilitating effect? Many people, frustrated
perhaps by a lack of progress made by conventional medicine, turn to the
homeopathic remedies available.
One
such cure for bowel issues is aloe vera juice. This juice has been shown to
replicate very closely the inner workings of many of the body’s natural
chemicals and can help a dirty colon become a clean one.
Aloe vera
is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can aid in removing
unwanted waste from the bowels. By breaking down impacted colon waste, the
juice can help to relive suffering from many ailments of the digestive system
including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation
and diarrhoea.
While
no cure is absolute, aloe vera is very gentle on the human digestive system and
has no side effects unlike most medication taken for the same ailment. It can
nourish and clean a troubled intestinal tract.
Aloe
vera
can help to rejuvenate wasting tissue and help rebuild internal system the
natural way. It can stimulate the immune system and bring about a great revival
in energy and physical integrity.
When
good colon health is not achieved, the body’s natural defences are compromised,
disease, illness and even death can occur. By using aloe vera to help to re-establish colon health, one can start down the
road to recovery in short order.
It
is possible that something so simple as drinking a natural juice can have lasting
health benefits. Research has been done, many people have had a great deal of
success in its application and there is no down side or negative to trying it.
Aloe vera is a plant and has been used throughout centuries for its ability to
increase health in the use.
by
Lee Dobbins
To
get more ideas on how to have good colon health, watch these 2 videos:
To discover more about the health benefits of aloe vera,
look no further than Yulia Berry’s e-book - “Aloe: Your Miracle Doctor”. From
here, you will learn about the wide array of internal and external uses of aloe
vera.
Yulia also dishes out tips on how you can prepare aloe in
your kitchen, depending on the condition that you would like to treat. She also
shares the history of aloe, why it is a must to take care of an aloe plant in
your own home. what its chemical composition is, what the biogenic stimulation
method is, and how it can be used for 130+ home remedies to treat more than
eighty different disorders.
Created
in the amazonian forest, by a Brazilian monk, a new natural treatment to cure
and to prevent cancer,
seems to be an interesting alternative in the fight against cancer.
The
priest affirms, he has obtained real results in several types to cancer:
cancer of breast, cancer of uterus, cancer of stomach, cancer of skin, cancer of prostate, etc.
The
formula is simple, cheap and easy to prepare it in house and even though
extensive clinical studies do not exist on this procedure, it seems to be a
sensible alternative to try.
One
of the components of the formula to prevent cancer
is Aloe Vera (sábila) whose medicinal properties have been investigated for
a long time :
“It
has been proved that Aloe Vera is effective in cancer
in animals. In fact, in 1992, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the
use of Aloe Vera for the treatment of soft tissue cancer
in animals as well as feline leukemia.
There
is strong scientific proof that, in vitro, Aloe Vera suppresses the growing of cancer
tumor, stimulates immune system response, raises tumor
necrosis levels, and promotes healthy tissue”.
“Aloe
Vera helps to lower the damage done to the body by treatments such as radiation
and chemotherapy, which destroy healthy immune system cells that are very
important for the body's recovery. With the use of Aloe Vera, the immune system
is boosted, tumors
shrink, metastases are reduced so the cancer
does not spread, and new”
“In
1997, University of San Antonio researcher Jeremiah Herlihy, Ph.D., conducted a
study to observe any negative effects of drinking aloe daily.
Rather
than exhibiting negative effects, however, test animals receiving daily aloe
showed a remarkable reduction in leukemia, heart disease, and kidney disease.
Dr.
Herlihy concluded, "We found no indication of harm done to the rats even
at high levels." In fact, the aloe-drinking animals actually lived 25
percent longer than those in the control group”
Other
components used to prevent cancer are bee honey
and "cañazo" (rum, or any distilled liqueur).
Medicine
may be increasingly high-tech, but the latest wonder treatment which is being
offered to patients is — honey.
In
one of the researches done on honey, bandages soaked in manuka honey are to be
given to mouth cancer patients at the Christie Hospital in Manchester to reduce
their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and to lessen wound inflammation
following surgery.
This
is just the latest study investigating manuka honey's healing powers. It is
used routinely at the Manchester Royal Infirmary for dressing wounds, and other
research has found it can fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe
sore throats.
All
honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a substance once used as a wound disinfectant
in hospitals — it comes from an enzyme that bees add to nectar. It also
contains the enzyme glucose oxidase, which boosts its anti-bacterial
properties. This was recognised by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used
honey to help heal burns and sores.
Aloe,
bee honey and rum are mixed, and a syrup is obtained that must be consumed
daily. It is important to use "fresh pulp of the plant Aloe Vera,
including the rind. (to retire the thorns).
To
avoid the poisonous effect of the plant Aloe Vera, the treatment must be
alternated: 10 days of treatment, 10 days free or of rest. Never long
treatments. The treatment can be used single or complementing chemotherapy
processes.
by Luiz Quiroz R, who
is a Peruvian journalist, founder of the “World Movement of Direct Help to the
Poor”.
To discover more about the health benefits of aloe vera,
look no further than Yulia Berry’s e-book - “Aloe: Your Miracle Doctor”. From
here, you will learn about the wide array of internal and external uses of aloe
vera.
Yulia also dishes out tips on how you can prepare aloe in
your kitchen, depending on the condition that you would like to treat. She also
shares the history of aloe, why it is a must to take care of an aloe plant in
your own home. what its chemical composition is, what the biogenic stimulation
method is, and how it can be used for 130+ home remedies to treat more than
eighty different disorders.
