Morning aloe!
Drinking aloe vera juice fi rst
up in the morning before eating
can help improve your digestion
and calm your stomach. It will
also give your immune system a
boost.
And when you are healthy
inside, it is more likely that you
will reflect this on the outside
with glowing radiant skin!
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-infl amatory
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-infl ammatory effects superior
to one per cent hydrocortisone cream.
When applied directly to a wound aloe’s
anthraquinones have 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. Evidence is still inconclusive
as to whether aloe helps IBS. In my
twenty years clinical experience small
doses of 20ml a day promote softer
stools and gently clear intestinal toxins
without aggravating bowels. Clinical
trials have shown aloe’s effi cacy in
healing ulcers, eliminating helicobacter
pylori and reducing acidity.
Colon cleanse Aloe’s bitterness
It decreases your waist and waste
by increasing enzymes and bile,
emulsifying and eliminating fats from
the body. As aloe absorbs four times
faster than water and deeper, toxins in
the colon cling to the jelly and are drawn
out through its gentle laxative action.
It alkalises the body and increases the
absorption of key vitamins including B12.
Aloe army
Aloe vera’s anti-viral action is being
used against HIV and HSV with notable
success. It mobilises our immune
macrophages and arms immunity with
antioxidants. Aloe vera’s antimicrobials
include sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid,
cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol.
These natural antiseptics help eliminate
bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Aloe against aches
When taken orally, aloe’s twelve
antiinfl ammatory agents can ease
swelling and stiffness in conditions
like arthritis, bursitis, colitis and fi
bromyalgia. Some studies also show it
can assist asthmarelated respiratory infl
ammation.
Diabetes
Research reveals that aloe vera
can help lower blood sugar in type-2
diabetics and reduce visceral fat. Aloe
also contains three phytosterols that
assist lowering cholesterol.
Kissing clean
Aloe’s an effective mouthwash
reducing plaque better than
chlorhexidine according to a 300
person study. Aloe also blasts bacteria
Streptococcus mutans and Candida
albicans. In toothpastes aloe controls
cavity-causing oral bacteria. According
to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology
aloe vera gel also combats mouth ulcers,
gingivitis, bleeding and periodontitis.
Caroline Robertson is a naturopath
and fi rst aid trainer based in Sydney.
For consultations, courses and health
retreats contact http://www.caroline.
robertson.com.au
Autumn 2019 25