Everyday Aches & Pains: Is Your Body Telling You Something?
(Health Secrets) One of the many injustices allopathic medicine has perpetrated is to label cancer as a terminal disease. Popular culture has accepted the concept that cancer as death sentence and constantly puts forth hypnotic suggestions to this end. This creates within us a self-fulfilling scenario that can sabotage any healing process. Amazing books about the healing power of the Aloe Vera plant, written by Father Romano Zago, OFM, counteract this negative thinking by giving readers a sense of empowerment. But these books are not just about the use of Aloe to heal cancer. They describe plans for healing over 100 types of illness.
Aloe Vera has stood the test of time
The Aloe Vera plant has been used by many civilizations medicinally for thousands of years. The Sumerians were first to document the medicinal properties of the plant. Ancient Egyptian papyrus documents have been found noting at least 12 Aloe Vera formulas treating everything from skin disorders to the internal workings of the body. Aloe Vera was widely used in India as far back as 375 B.C. Its powers are mentioned in the Bible. Aloe was one of the most frequently prescribed medicines during the 18th and 19th centuries, when patent medicines were in their infancy. It continues to be one of the most commonly used herbs.
The Aloe Vera plant is a succulent belonging in the genus of aloes. It’s tall spiky leaves grow like long rosettes. Aloe prefers dry, warm growing conditions but is basically pretty hardy. Many of us have grown this plant for its essential beauty, relatively unaware of its true healing power. You may know Aloe as the burn plant.
Aloe’s medicine is extracted from the plant leaves. Cut off the leaf and remove the thin outside layer of green flesh from one side exposing the gel-like interior. This gel-like substance contains the healing constituents.
Until the 1940’s the healing power of Aloe Vera was anecdotally established, not based on scientific evidence. However since then, there have been a growing number of rigorous scientific studies and evidence that documents the benefits of Aloe Vera.
Nutritional benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is high in vitamins and minerals including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin) and B6. It is one of only a few plants that contain vitamin B12. Included in the 20 minerals found in this plant are calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, and manganese.
Aloe Vera is high in amino acids, the building blocks of protein. It includes 18-20 amino acids, and has all 8 essential amino acids.
Aloe Vera is an adaptogen
Adaptogens are able to boost the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. Adaptogens work by stimulating the body’s defense and adaptive mechanisms to cope with stress (physical, emotional, and environmental)
Aloe helps with digestion issues, which are related to many disease states. It soothes and cleanses the digestive tract, improving digestion. As an adaptogen it helps with either constipation or diarrhea to regulate elimination cycles. It can be a remedy for irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux.
Aloe helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria in the gut, keeping healthy intestinal flora in balance. As a vermifuge, it helps to rid the body of intestinal worms.
Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant, a type of food that moves through the intestinal tract, absorbing toxins along the way and eliminating them.
Aloe alkalizes the body. It is recommended the diet be 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acidic. As an alkaline forming food, it helps to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
Some studies have demonstrated that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of red blood cells. A study published in the British Medical Journal (2000), found that beta sitosterol, found in Aloe Vera, helps to lower cholesterol.
The Aloe Vera polysaccharides stimulate white blood cells enhancing the immune system’s fight against pathogens. Aloe has a high level of anti-oxidants, which helps combat the unstable compounds known as free radicals that contribute to the aging process.
Aloe Vera can be used to reduce or prevent fever.
The plant has many benefits for the skin, and is capable of healing burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even bug bites. It helps relieve the pain of wounds, relieves or prevents itching, and has disinfectant, antibiotic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
Aloe reduces inflammation, which helps joints that are painful due to stiffness and helps improve joint flexibility.
Toxicity, cautions and contra-indications
There is no known toxicity in Aloe Vera. However, Aloe is not recommended for use internally for more than 10 days, as it can cause laxative dependency. Long-term use of Aloe may cause potassium deficiency and result in irregular heartbeat and weakness.
Aloe should not be taken internally if you are taking any of the following drugs: digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics, steroids, drugs for irregular heartbeat, and drugs that cause potassium loss. Aloe may cause blood sugar levels to become too low, especially if combined with blood sugar medications.
Treating disease with Aloe Vera
The corrosive nature of chronic diseases, to mind, body and spirit, and the hypnotic suggestions of powerlessness, looming misery, pain and death fostered by our current culture can be countermanded. Father Zago’s books empower us to heal ourselves through self-responsible actions. They are available from Amazon.com and other booksellers.
Father Zago’s recipe for preparing Aloe juice for medicinal use and his treatment plans are clearly explained in his books and are relatively simple. Although he describes growing and processing the plant it at home, he also explains how to use commercially produced Aloe juice in the recipe.
Some grocery chains that cater to the health conscious sell Aloe Vera leaves right in their produce sections.
For more information:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Aloe.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_4762069_medicinal-uses-aloe-vera.html#ixzz2sCP88sjo
umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/aloe
http://www.thealoeinstitute.org
http://www.herbalist.com/articles/details/21/ALOE+VERA
