Aloe Vera aids the management of many problems and these pages are designed to educate and inform the visitor.  Suggestions made are not to be interpreted as a medical consultation.

Whole leaf extracts of Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller are effective in acute inflammatory conditions when applied topically or when taken orally.  Scientific studies show that Aloe Vera contains potent plant derived inhibitors of inflammation as well as promoters of tissue healing.

Some Conditions Which Respond to Aloe Vera

• Somatic  -  Burns, cuts, abrasions, insect  stings, injuries (tendons/joints).
• Systemic -  (disease processes involving inflammation). SLE (Lupus), Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Nature of Acute Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's first response to tissue damage whether it is caused 'externally' by physical, bacterial or chemical means, or 'internally' by our own immune system (auto immune conditions).

The process is characterised by erythema (redness), heat, swelling and pain.  Damaged tissues trigger production of substances which cause local blood vessels to dilate and become more leaky, (histamine, serotonin, kalli krein, bradykinin).  This causes hyperaemia and heat production.  The leaky blood vessels pour out protein rich exudate which causes swelling.  Other chemical messengers called 'complement',  leukotrienes and lymphokines attract the body's white cells circulating in the blood vessels to the site of tissue damage.  One important type of cells are the phagocytes which surround damaged tissue and bacteria and ingest it by phagocytosis.  The trapped  contents are then digested.

The ability to phagocytose and digest the bacteria depend on the vitality and activity levels of the phagocytes, which in turn, depend on the nutritional and toxic state of the individual.

How Aloe Vera Reduces Inflammation

1.   Several studies have shown that Aloe Vera contains phyto-steroids called Lupeol, B-Sitosterol and Campesterol.  They most likely act in much the same way as conventional steroids, in as much that they prevent the conversion of phospholipids in cell membranes to Arachadonic acid and hence prostaglandin production.

It has also been shown in mice experiments that Aloe Vera extracts potentiate the effects of topically applied conventional steroids.

2.   Bradykininase has been shown to be present in Aloe Vera.  This polypeptide inhibits bradykinin (which causes increased leakiness of the blood cells) and, therefore, reduces redness and swelling.

3.   Aloe Vera contains small amounts of salicylic acid and salicylates  which have aspirin like activity.  However, it is debatable as to whether it is in sufficient  concentrations to produce marked anti-inflammatory effects.

4.   Aloe Vera appears to inhibit histamine release in in-vitro studies.  This may play a small role in preventing prostaglandin production.

Chronic Inflammation

Auto immune diseases such as Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus are characterised by chronic inflammation.  This is where the process of resolution (repairing of damaged tissue) and acute inflammation (destruction of damaged tissue) occur side by side.

The histological changes in chronic inflammation consist of:

1.   Changes in the relative number of different white cell population.

2.   Formation of new blood capillaries.

3.   Production of connective tissue by fibroblast.

4.   Laying down of scar tissue (fibrosis).

Chronic Conditions Helped by Aloe Vera

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, SLE (Lupus), Gout, Myositis, Auto Immune Thyroiditis and Multiple Sclerosis.

Dosage

Note:   CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS MAY TAKE UP TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE MAXIMUM BENEFITS ARE REACHED.

Home
 Aloe Vera   For Humans   Human Dosages   Human Products
For Animals   Animal Dosages   Animal Products
 The Company   Contact or Order