Faculty of Allied Health Sciences > Nutrition and Food Engineering

Re: Health benefit of Aloe vera.

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sethy:
Aloe vera
A member of the lily family, the aloe vera plant has been known for its medicinal properties for more then 4,000 years. Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long.

sethy:
Aloe Vera Juice Benefits
The researchers, till date, have documented many benefits of aloe vera juice. With its more than 70 constituents, juice made with Aloe vera is one the most recommended drink of the day.
The succulent and fleshy Aloe vera plant is a native of the African continent. The plant belongs to the lily family and is also grouped under Xeroids - a class of plants that can conserve water by opening or closing their stomata or pores. When it comes to using it for medicinal purpose, Aloe Barbadensis or Spanish Aa'vila is the most favored. The jelly extracted from it can be used to make juice. According to experts, it is a good nutrition supplement. It can also be used internally as well as externally in its gel, powdered, capsuled form. It is believed that as many as two-thirds of world's population uses it in one or the other form.

The healing properties of Aloe vera are known to the man since the ancient days. For its healing touch, the plant was honored with the titles like the Miracle plant and the Natural healer. The ancient people from Indian, Greek, Chinese, Egyptian, Sumerian and Roman civilizations used it to cure minor skin injuries and similar conditions, because of its soothing properties.

The modern science attributes the benefits to its richness in nutrients. Researchers have identified vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin E and minerals such as iron, copper and germanium in it. Along with the essential fatty acids (amino acids), it also contains trace elements such as calcium, potassium, zinc and manganese.

sethy:
Some health benefit of Aloe Vera

Digestion
The experts advice to drink at least two glasses every day to get the best of its benefits. It can be used to initiate the process of loosening and discharging waste materials, such as undigested food residue and the bacteria, which are attached to the inner lining of the colon, the large intestine. These wastes materials cause clogging of the intestinal lining and prevent complete absorption of nutrients from the digested food. The harmful toxins are also washed out during this process, which improves the overall function of the digestive system. It is advised that regular intake over several weeks. The juice also helps in the regulation of the production of gastric acid, which prevents acid indigestion, inflammation of colon, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers like, gastric and duodenal ulcers. Drinking this juice leads to improved digestion and blood circulation. Side effects, such as diarrhea and dehydration may be observed because of its excessive intake. A pregnant woman should consult her doctor about consuming this juice.

sethy:
Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief

The individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can drink this juice for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The pain and stiffness of the muscles that a person experiences, while going about the daily business, can be greatly relieved with the help of this juice. Mucopolysaccharides, which are amino sugars necessary in regeneration of the body cells are present in this juice. The individual drinking this juice, benefits from the regenerated tissues of joint muscles which improves their mobility. Because of the improved strength, these muscles are able to reduce the friction among the bones, muscles and ligaments of the joints and surrounding body tissues. Thus, this juice alleviate pains and inflammations in the weakened or aged joints.

sethy:
Dietary supplement

Aloin a compound found in the exudate of some Aloe species, was the common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States prior to 2003, when the Food and Drug Administration ruled that aloin was a class III ingredient, thereby banning its use.Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side-effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested or applied topically. Although toxicity may be less when aloin is removed by processing, aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts may induce side-effects. A 2-year National Toxicology Program (NTP) study on oral consumption of non-decolorized whole leaf extract of Aloe vera found evidence of carcinogenic activity in male and female rats. The NTP says more information is needed to determine the potential risks to humans

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