Aloe Vera Research Studies
Aloe Vera research studies agree with traditional healing. Centuries of Aloe Vera use has helped Africans, Chinese, Greeks, Romans, maintain or regain their health and cure their diseases. Traditional Egyptian healers use the gel from Aloe Vera to stop infections, treat inflammation, and treat wounds and burns among others.
Modern scientists and a growing number of health practitioners now agree on the medicinal benefits of Aloe Vera juice. Most Aloe Vera research studies have found out that its extracts are helpful in preventing and possibly even stopping a wide range of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, asthma, ulcers, osteoarthritis, and other chronic diseases.
Those who have taken the time to do their own research on the validity of each health benefit of Aloe Vera will find that there is real and solid science behind the “Miracle Plant”. Over 5000 years ago, the Egyptians used the Aloe Vera Gel to treat their soldiers for wounds sustained in the wars and first wrote of its healing power on their ancient papyrus texts calling it the “Plant of Immortality”. Aloe Vera as an herbal preparation was mentioned in the papyrus more than 10 times.
Aloe Vera Research Studies: Aloe Vera has been widely researched and is second only to vitamins and minerals in respect to the amount of research conducted in the medicinal and nutritional communities.
Here is a sampling of the scientific studies on Aloe Vera.
Aloe Vera Research Studies on Vitamin Absorption
Research scientists from the University of Sacramento studied the effects of Aloe Vera on Vitamin and found that there was bioavailability of Vitamin C and E when taken in combination with Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera improves the absorption of both Vitamin C and E. The absorption is slower and the vitamins last longer in the blood plasma with Aloe Vera.
Research Studies on Aloe Vera as Treatment for Dry Skin
Researchers from the Department of Dermatology at North Western University in Chicago found that application of Aloe Vera Gel to the skin produced a uniformly positive outcome of improved skin integrity, decrease appearance of fine wrinkles and decreased erythema (an abnormal redness of the skin resulting from dilation of blood vessels) management of occupational dry skin and irritant contact dermatitis.
Recent studies have shown that a bad sunburn, even one that we might have suffered many years ago, can turn into cancer in later life. Also, there is information that sunburn can, and often does, wreak havoc with the body’s immune system, leaving us vulnerable to other diseases. Exposure to Ultra Violet-B light, from the sun has been shown to impair the cellular immune response to the skin, which may lead to tumor formation.
However, studies carried out by Dr. Faith Strickland of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, suggest the possibility that Aloe Vera can not only stop the damage done to the immune system but can actually restore the system to full working order.
Research on Aloe Vera Gel for Active Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that affects the bowels. Aloe Vera herbal preparation has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects and is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aloe Vera has been found to have the ability to destroy certain bacteria or parasites in the intestines, when used as a laxative.
Researchers have found that supplemental oral Aloe Vera juice is well tolerated by most individuals and has favourable effects upon a number of gastrointestinal parameters. Aloe Vera Gel through whatever mechanism is clinically beneficial in the treatment of this disease. A drink made from the Aloe Vera Gel is helping patients control symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Researchers Davis, Robert H. (PhD), Leitner, Mark G (RPh) and Russo, Joseph M. (BA) based on research and testimonies, found that using Aloe Vera in diabetics has shown that blood sugar can be reduced to upto 55%. During the study, insulin doses were either reduced or totally eliminated and Aloe Vera added in sufficient quantities to the patients’ daily diet. This mechanism is related to Aloe Vera’s beta-cell protective effects, inhibitory effects on glucose-absorption speed, and modulation of liver enzymes.
In a similar research carried out by another group of researchers namely, Jones Ken (2006) found that the gel of Aloe plant administered as a juice or in dried form has significant anti-diabetic activity.
"The healing benefits of Aloe vera have been recorded throughout the world forthousands of years. The American medical and pharmaceutical communities most likely have not accepted it because it can’t be patented nor a prescription written for it." Alfred Garbutt, D.C.
Perhaps the most remarkable studies concern the effect of aloe fractions on the status of patients with HIV which causes AIDS. The polysaccharide fraction of aloe was shown to exhibit antiviral activity and enhance immune cell function. Danhof, Ivan E. (PhD, MD). Internal uses of Aloe vera.
Aloe vera improves wound healing and inhibits inflammation. .Davis, Robert H. (PhD), Di Donato, Joseph J. (BA, BS), Hartman, Glenn M. (BS), & Haas, Richard C. (BA). (1994, February). Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of a growth substance in Aloe vera. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 84(2), 77-81.
Aloe inhibits the growth of some of the most dangerous microbes. Heggers, John P. (PhD), Pineless, Gary R. (BS), & Robson, Martin C. (MD). (1979, September/October). Dermaide Aloe / Aloe vera gel: Comparison of the antimicrobial effects. Journal of American Medical Technologists,41(5), 293-294.
Aloe Vera has an unlimited future in new applications, and I sense in dentistry we are just on the cutting edge of promising utilization for anti-inflammatory procedure, antiviral, and immunological benefits for our patients. Moore, Timothy E. (DDS/MS, PC). Aloe Vera: Its potential use in wound healing and disease control in oral conditions.
Aloe Vera will speed up the healing of a burn or some damaged eczematous skin just as well as it will heal a mouth ulcer or even a stomach ulcer or a problem of the bowel lining – all epithelial tissue. Atherton, Peter (Dr., MBChB, DObst, RCOG, MRCGP). (1997, June/July). Aloe vera: Myth or medicine? Positive Health. Issue 20.
Return from Aloe Vera Research Studies to Aloe Vera Juice |