What Is Aloe Vera?

The aloe plant originally came from Africa. The leaves, which are long, green, fleshy, and have spikes along the edges, are used therapeutically. 

Extracts of aloe vera are rich in sugars, amino acids, trace elements, vitamins and enzymes.

Across Europe, Asia, Africa and America there are over 240 species of Aloe Vera which is cactus like in appearance.

What Is Aloe Vera Used For?

May help to maintain a healthy bowel and digestive regularity. May help to support healthy skin.  Aloe’s effects on the skin may be enhanced by its high concentration of amino acids, as well as vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, and essential fatty acids. May help to maintain normal blood sugar levels

Key Benefits?

May help maintain healthy skin
May help with digestion
Thought to help with heartburn

Why Buy From Pharmas?

Product Demand

Aloe Vera Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a succulent plant related to the lily family, whose gel has been used for centuries as a topical ointment. Aloe gel is rich in amino acids, as well as in compounds like polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones, and lectins, scientifically demonstrated to promote wound healing.

History of Aloe Vera Use
The first references to the use of aloe as an herbal medicine were found in an Egyptian papyrus, dating back to the 16th century BC. The Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra were both rumored to use aloe as an important part of their beauty regiments.

Aloe was prized by Roman physicians and widely used throughout Europe and the Middle East for many centuries after the fall of Rome. Aloe was brought to the New World via the Jesuit priests who founded the early Spanish missions.

In the 20th century the use of aloe as a medicine fell from favor. Why? Because aloe gel deteriorates quickly, and science did not invent a way to stabilize the gel until the 1970s. Today, however, aloe has rejoined the pantheon of healing herbs once more. Today, the use of aloe today as a health care agent is a multimillion dollar industry worldwide.

What Conditions Does Aloe Vera Treat?

• Wound and burn treatment: Aloe has proven to accelerate healing when applied topically to wounds and burns.
• Acne: Aloe-based soaps and skin care products are an effective treatment for inflamed sebaceous glands and hair follicles (acne).
• Eczema, psoriasis and genital herpes: Topical creams and moisturizers containing aloe have proven to be an effective treatment for eczema, psoriasis and genital herpes
• Constipation: Aloe is an effective laxative

Some evidence also exists that aloe may prove effective in the treatment of certain types of cancer, diabetes, ulcerative colitis and weight loss.

What Forms Do Aloe Vera Supplements Come In?
Aloe vera is widely incorporated into a number of commercially available ointments, creams, lotions and other topical skin preparations. Aloe gel or latex is available in powdered form as well as in 500 milligram capsules.

Aloe is frequently found as an ingredient in products such as cosmetics, sunscreen, shaving cream, shampoo and tissues.

Aloe Vera’s Mechanism of Action
Scientists believe that Aloe Vera’s significant inflammatory properties may be due to unusually high amounts of growth factor found in its gel. Scientific research has also demonstrated aloe plant gel has significant antibacterial and antifungal properties, particularly against the Streptococcus and Shigella species. The lignin and polysaccharides in aloe are particularly efficacious in penetrating the three dermal layers -- epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis – which means the plant’s active ingredients are able to penetrate more deeply into the pores.

Dosage
Aloe Vera is supplied both as topical ointments, meant to applied directly to skin, and as a dried powder, often packed in capsule form. The typical dosage for one capsule of dried aloe is 500 mg.

When treating burns, sunburn, surgical wounds, wounds, bruises and abrasions, aloe ointments may be liberally applied to the affected area up to four times a day to promote healing.

Aloe Vera ointment may be applied once a day to genital herpes for up to five consecutive days.

Aloe-containing creams may be applied to psoriasis plaques up to three times a day for five consecutive days.

150 milligrams of dried aloe may be taken once a day to relieve constipation. There are some reports of dependency and the worsening of constipation symptoms after individuals stop treating themselves with aloe.

Aloe Vera Side Effects
No side effects per se are associated with the topical administration of aloe vera. But because topical aloe through its deep cleansing actions increases the absorption of other topical medications, it should be used with extreme caution by anyone using steroid creams as well.

Significant side effects, however, have been associated with taking aloe in oral form. Aloe has been known to lower blood sugar precipitously, and for that reason should be taken orally with extreme caution, if at all, by patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Aloe has also been known to decrease blood potassium levels and should be avoided by patients taking digoxin, digitoxin and lasix to treat cardiac disease.