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Awesome Aloe V era!
A loe vera is the famed first aid gel great for burns, bites and bleeds. This succulent spiky spear also settles digestion, arthritis and infections. Discover the healing benefits of the aloe angel. An aloe a day keeps disease away according to ancient advocates. Known as the ‘Plant of Immortality’ in Egypt and the ‘Universal Panacea’ in Greece; Cleopatra applied aloe for beauty and Alexander the Great used it to heal wounds. In India it’s prized for regenerating the female reproductive system earning it the Sanskrit name Kumari or virgin girl. Christopher Columbus exalted aloe, “Four vegetables are indispensable for the wellbeing of man; wheat, grape, olive and aloe. The first nourishes, the second raises his spirit, the third brings him harmony and the fourth cures him.” Today aloe is amongst the most popular herbs for health and beauty with an estimated annual market value of $13 billion globally. Quality is key with aloe vera as it must be prepared properly to remove excess laxative anthraquinones. The safest form is 100 percent organic Aloe
vera barbadensis from the inner leaf, rich in over two hundred nutrients. The whole leaf form can be more irritating to the gut and skin. Consider an initial allergy test by drinking 5 mL liquid or applying a small circle of gel on the skin for 12 hours before proceeding. As aloe vera juice has a bitter taste, if you can’t take it straight blend it with When taken orally, aloe’s twelve anti-inflammatory agents can ease swelling and stiffness in conditions like arthritis, bursitis, colitis and fibromyalgia.
Skin shield: Taken internally, aloe vera juice cleanses and cools the blood, liver, colon and reproductive system. This makes it effective for relieving hot conditions such as rashes, acne, liver disorders, menopausal flushes and painful periods. With its reparative betacarotene, vitamins C and E content, externally aloe vera calms wrinkles, hemorrhoids, sunspots and fungal infections. According to studies aloe also nurtures faster, less painful healing than medical silver sulfadiazine in burns and soothes sunburn. It’s a perfect protective moisturiser for oily skin and an effective aftershave. Aloe’s auxin and gibberellins are anti-inflammatory
for acne and promote cell renewal in scars, stretch marks or aged skin. Aloe can also assist eczema and psoriasis with one study showing that aloe gel has anti-inflammatory effects superior to one percent hydrocortisone cream. When applied directly to a wound aloe’s anthraquinones have
antioxidant berries, energising acai, antioxidant green tea or immune boosting citrus fruits. Hello aloe!
Aloe is juicy with 99 percent water and a wealth of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidant anthraquinones, enzymes, fatty acids, polysaccharides, salicylic acid and saponins. Take advantage of aloe’s cleansing and empowering properties through the following applications.
an anesthetic and antibacterial effect. Applied to the nails aloe acts as a bitter nail-biting deterrent. Digestion: The enzymes contained in aloe vera help break down food and therefore aid digestion.
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ISSUE 65 • 2022
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