Aloe: A pharmacy in a pot

Call the "plant of immortality" and consider longevity elixir, though its name, probably derived from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning "bitter and shiny substance." It is one of the plants used and still used for therapeutic purposes, not only from different cultures and
different eras. Finally, how "miraculous" is the plant that today adorns the balconies and yards of many houses?

A history of 5,000 yearsThe use of aloe starts around 2200 BC the benefits to be known in Persia, Egypt, ancient Greece, Rome, India and Africa. According to legend, was the beauty secret of Cleopatra and Nefertiti, and Nicodemus used it for the care of the relics of Christ. In the western world and America, the spread is due largely to the Spanish Jesuits who were planting colonies. However, once in 1930 began to be studied scientifically, mainly U.S. and Russia, the properties of the plant and the possibility to use in Western medicine. Today, more and more out research on therapeutic activity and in many cases the results are spectacular.
The plantAloe can look a lot like cactus but belongs to the lily family and related to onions, garlic and asparagus. It is herbaceous plant with thick, juicy leaves and the center of the flowers usually come kitrinokokkina. It grows in Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Africa and the Canary Islands. It is highly resistant and consists of 96% water. Although there are over 300 species of Aloe, only two are used for therapeutic purposes, Aloe Vera and more rarely the Aloe Ferox Miller.
A treasure of valuable propertiesThe Aloe Vera gel contains over 75 known ingredients, synergy which leads to enhanced action. The Aloe Vera is a source of vitamins, with the main B, C, E and beta-carotene (precursor of vitamin A). It contains minerals and trace elements, especially magnesium, manganese, zinc, calcium, iron and selenium, and amino acids, which are the "building blocks" of proteins. It is also rich in sugars, enzymes that help break food, sterols, anthraquinones (pain killing substances) and salicylic acid. Thanks to the ingredients and their synergy, aloe penetrates deep into the skin, cleans and is a natural anesthetic. Enhances new cell growth, improves the functioning of tissues and heals wounds. It has antibiotic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, stimulates the immune system, calms the nervous system, cleanses the intestines and detoxifies the body.
When do helpsMost often used as a soothing aloe vera in various skin irritations such as burns, calluses, scars, herpes. Aloe is absorbed faster than water so the skin heals quickly. In addition, aloe keeps skin soft and used for body care and hair, moisturizes and increases collagen production and enhances their natural defense. It is considered effective treatment for acne, slows skin aging and combats itching, skin allergies, insect bites, the eczema and fungal infections, and can reduce and even psoriasis. But the action is not only external but internal. Appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces the muscular and skeletal pains, colic and asthma attacks. It also stimulates the digestive function and combat disorders such as constipation and indigestion, and enhances the immune system, so it has been used in patients with AIDS and cancer.
What you will find on the marketIn market there are many products that contain aloe, mainly for body care, face and hair. In stores with healthy food products will find aloe juice, and you will find pharmacies in capsules, tablets to extract oil, for external or internal use of aloe and dust. The last is good to avoid, as it is more difficult to calculate doses.
Which to chooseIt is advisable to use standardized products aloe. Considered the best choice Aloe Vera preparations from whole leaf aloe and not only from the inside, and you have made from aloe vera that has been cold, not warm treatment, because the last part destroyed by saccharides. Good is also the products you choose to have the seal of approval by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) and of course do not forget to check the labels to see if aloe is among the first ingredients. Finally, choose to buy them from pharmacies and stores organic products.
How safe is it?In general, this is a safe plant, sufficient to use correctly. We always follow the instructions of the pharmacist or herbal, because prolonged or excessive use can cause side effects or interaction with other herbs and medicines. If you have a health problem, should be monitored by your doctor, especially if you take aloe by mouth.

What to watch● When the aloe used for spreading on the skin, is safe enough juice it does not come through on an extensive open wound. The potential to cause an allergic reaction is rare. On the other hand, consumption of aloe orally to be careful because it can cause cramping and diarrhea.● The women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but also those who have problems such as abdominal pain, ileus, or a history of allergy to garlic, onion and other plants of this family should avoid taking it.● Aloe can interact with hydrocortisone, diuretics, anticoagulants and with medications for diabetes. This may, for example, to improve the functioning of the pancreas, leading to dose adjustment of insulin. Because of the laxative action, he can still throw the levels of potassium in the blood and cause arrhythmias.● For indoor use, always prefer standardized products aloe.
Cultivate the homeAloe is a plant with few requirements that you can easily grow at home. Make sure, however, if the outside temperature is below 13 degrees, to get indoors. Good to know the age of the plant you buy, because the 3-4th time its therapeutic action is greatest. Aloe grows slowly and is very light, air and little water. When the planting, place the bottom of the pot pebbles that facilitate draining, so as not to rot the roots. Do not water it too, but only when the soil has dried. If instead the leaves are thin and break in half, meaning that not watering enough. Because aloe is sensitive to chlorine, can show brown spots; so whenever you can, watering it with some bottled water. Finally, when the new shoots grow into your weight a few inches, cut them and plant them elsewhere, not to remove components from the mature plant.
Treatments for the homeIf you burn yourself: If you touch the stove or in the burning iron, put cream or gel aloe juice in the burned area and repeat until the burning to go away. If necessary, cut a leaf from the pot, wash it, open it in half and put it over the light burn.If your hair fall: Apply aloe vera in the head 2-3 times a day, leave for a few minutes and rinse. Follow the treatment for at least 3 months. This will help not only your hair and the scalp.If your joints ache: Make dressing the problem areas and combine them with internal decision. For a period of 2 months, drink 2-3 times daily 1-2 teaspoons of aloe juice with fruit juice and 1 cup water, and once the symptoms subside, reduce the dose to 1 teaspoon morning and afternoon.For fungi in the foot: Apply aloe vera gel on the area and wrap with a bandage. Repeat until the infection to go away.For bruises: Apply aloe directly on the hit 3-4 times a day or a cut sheet and tie it onto the hit point. O pain and swelling will be reduced significantly.For small cuts and abrasions: First clean the wound and then apply aloe or soak a bandage with aloe juice and tie in the region. Repeat until the cut or abrasion to close. The regenerative effect of aloe help heal small wound quickly.For eczema: You and I can use it as an external ointment, and drink 1-2 tablespoons daily until the eczema improves.
To make cosmeticsIf you are interested in using aloe vera for cosmetic purposes, not ask pharmacies simply "aloe", but specifically white aloe juice, not painting the skin.