Aloe Vera

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera contains up to 96% water and many moisture retentive polysaccharides. Scientists have isolated glucose, mannose, arabinose, galactose and xylose polysaccharides from Aloe Vera constituents. Polysaccharides are known to act as moisturizers, hydrating the skin. “Aloe also makes the surface of the skin smoother because of its cohesive effect on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together.” (Dr. Peter Atherton, Positive Health issue 20 June/July 1997) Aloe Vera is absorbed by the skin up to four times faster than water and moisturizes the skin because of its water holding capacity. (Danhof, I.E., McAnally, B.H. (1983), Stabilized Aloe Vera: Effect on Human Skin Cells. Drug. Cosmet. Ind. 133, 52-106)

A Little History
* In ancient times, physicians and pharmacologists from Persia to Greece used Aloe Vera to treat a wide variety of ailments, including wounds, mild infections, sinus problems and sores.
* While the healing properties of the Aloe plant were first recorded more than 3,500 years ago, the plant’s natural beauty benefits were first acknowledged 2,000 years ago by the young Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.
* Cleopatra used gel from the Aloe Vera plant to cleanse and moisturise her skin and to protect it against the harsh, dry heat and harmful rays of the sun.
* She not only put Aloe directly on her skin, but also added it to her bath water, and even mixed it with the elaborate and colourful make-up she used on her face.
* Aloe Vera is recorded throughout history for its beauty-enhancing and natural healing properties. A written testament to the versatile powers of Aloe was found in the tomb of an ancient Egyptian mummy in 1550 BC, and Sumerian clay tablets dating from 1700 BC refer to the plant.
* Aloe is a natural cleanser and a wonderful moisturiser, which can penetrate the layers of skin and promotes cell division. It can also act as a local anaesthetic. When applied to skin Aloe accelerates the healing of burns, insect bites, cuts and abrasions.
* Alexander the Great recognised the healing properties of Aloe gel, particularly for burns. He captured the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean in the 14th century so that its abundant crops of Aloe Vera could be used to treat his wounded soldiers.
* Aloe is mild, safe and non-toxic, containing only natural, organic chemicals.
* When the Spanish brought Aloe to the New World, it quickly gained widespread acceptance as a homeopathic and herbal cure-all.
* Beginning in the 1950s, Aloe Vera gel gained respect as a moisturizer and as a healing agent in cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs.

Where Aloe is Found
* Aloe originated in Africa.
* Today there are more than 300 species of Aloe grown around the world, from Africa to the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, Florida, Southern California, Mexico, the Pacific Rim countries, India, South America, the Caribbean and Australia.

The Characteristics of Aloe
* Aloe plants are commonly mistaken for cactus.
* Aloe’s thick, tapered, spiny leaves grow from a short stalk near ground level.
* Mature plants can grow as tall as 4 feet, although average plants are typically only 2-3 feet tall. Each plant usually has 12-16 leaves and can weigh up to 3 pounds.
* Aloe contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, proteins, polysaccharides and biological stimulators. Aloe Vera is a member of the lily family. It is a succulent plant which looks rather like a cactus, with thick leaves full of pure Aloe liquid.
* These leaves contain many beneficial, natural and non-toxic chemicals and enzymes. If the leaves of an Aloe plant are damaged, the plant uses these properties to protect itself against bacterial invasion and fungi by cleaning, sealing and repairing the damage.
* There are more than 300 species of Aloe, five of which are of nutritional value to humans - the most effective of these being Aloe Vera (Barbadensis). The plant can be found growing in hot, dry areas particularly in the US (southern Florida), Africa, Asia and Europe.

The Science of Aloe Vera
* Various clinical studies have shown that Aloe has a role in the treatment of radiation dermatitis, superficial skin abrasions, corneal ulcerations, frostbite, burns and leg ulcers.
* According to the booklet “The Miracle Sugars”, “many of the plants around the world that have a high glyconutrient content are known as ‘healing plants’. Glyconutrients are found in aloe vera, astragalus, saps, gums, garlic, certain mushrooms, yeasts, husks, breast milk, coconut meat, echinacea, maize, pectins from fruits, some algae, certain herbs. Aloe vera contains mannose, galactose and arabinose. The leaves of this plant are extremely rich in polysaccharides (long-chain sugars) that give aloe its healing and anti-infection properties when used both externally and internally. Aloe acts as an anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory. It also protects the liver from chemical injury. Its mannose content is what makes aloe a superior immune booster.”


* Aloe extracted from the Aloe barbadensis Miller plant (the Aloe commonly used in cosmetics) is different from that extracted from the Aloe ferox Liliaceae plant.
* The terms “Aloe,” “Aloe Vera,” “Aloin” and “Aloe extract” refer to the end products of different methods of extracting juice from Aloe plants.
* The term “Aloe” refers to a concentrated distillate made from the juice of the plant’s leaves. “Aloe extract” is the powder form of Aloe.

Why Aloe Works
* Aloe blocks histamine production and contains an agent that helps with inflammation.
* Aloin, which is made by filtering out certain resins from Aloe juices, contains a high concentration of anthroquinone, the agent that may be responsible for Aloe’s effectiveness in the treatment of certain skin afflictions, including inflammation and psoriasis.
* The great success of Aloe as a commodity for use in cosmetics is due to the proper stabilizing procedures that enable processors to store and ship Aloe gel without fear of spoilage.
* The Aloe industry has established high ethical standards for business as well as for their Aloe products. Through the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), the industry has solidified its dedication to providing the world with the highest quality Aloe. Lexli International is a member of the IASC and Dr. Abdullah served on the Board of Directors.

Aloe Vera Studies Since the inclusion of Aloe in the first United States Pharmacopoeia in 1820, numerous investigators have studied its efficacy within a wide range of clinical applications.

1935 — Collins and Collins first describe Aloe Vera in the treatment and healing of a 31 year-old woman suffering from radio-dermatitis, a very difficult condition to treat.

1936 — Wright describes the use of Aloe in the treatment of radiation ulcers.

1940 — Row and associates note that Aloe helps heal burns faster than any other treatment available.

1945 — Russian academician V. P. Filatov reports effective treatment of skin conditions caused by parasites.

1950-70 — Studies showing Aloe’s effectiveness in healing radiation, burns and frostbite continues, showing further evidence of improved wound healing in radiation dermatitis and ulcers. K. Somova in Russia and E. Zimmerman in the U.S. separately show treatment of periodontal disease with Aloe; Blitz and Smith use Aloe in the treatment of 18 patients with peptic ulcer disease, with 17 of 18 patients recovering from symptoms.

During the last two decades, numerous researchers have shed extensive light on the beneficial properties of Aloe in the treatment of various health-related issues.

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1980 — Wolfe shows Aloe to be highly effective against various microorganisms including staph, strep, candida and even in relieving pain and irritation of herpes.

1980 — Heggers and Robson show Aloe to be an effective treatment of thermal injury in dogs.

1982 — Heggers confirms the presence of salicylic acid, an aspirin-like compound in Aloe, explaining the plant’s anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

1985 — Heggers and Robson demonstrate the improved healing in thermal wounds due to the anti-prostaglandin activity of Aloe.

1986 — Ghanam shows anti-diabetic activity of Aloe and its effectiveness in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. This was confirmed later in human patients at the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.

1987 — Burns describes how the sap of Aloe leaves decreases pain and increases healing in Herpes Zoster blister breakouts.

1988 — Fulton shows faster healing of full-face dermabrasion patients when treated with Aloe Vera.

1992 — Robson and Heggers show increased wound healing in rats with burn injuries when treated with Aloe.

1994 — Davis suggests that mannose sugars in Aloe contribute to increased wound healing.

1994 — Robson, Heggers and Winters show increased wound breaking strength in wounds treated with Aloe and silver sulfadiazine.

1995 — Miller and Koltai show increased tissue survival in frostbite injury when treated with Aloe Vera.

1996 — Robson and Heggers show accelerated wound contraction, increased collagen activity and enhanced breaking strength of wounds treated with Aloe.


Since the inclusion of Aloe in the first United States Pharmacopoeia in 1820, numerous investigators have studied its efficacy within a wide range of clinical applications

1935 — Collins and Collins first describe Aloe Vera in the treatment and healing of a 31 year-old woman suffering from radio-dermatitis, a very difficult condition to treat.

1936 — Wright describes the use of Aloe in the treatment of radiation ulcers.

1940 — Row and associates note that Aloe helps heal burns faster than any other treatment available.

1945 — Russian academician V. P. Filatov reports effective treatment of skin conditions caused by parasites.

1950-70 — Studies showing Aloe’s effectiveness in healing radiation, burns and frostbite continues, showing further evidence of improved wound healing in radiation dermatitis and ulcers. K. Somova in Russia and E. Zimmerman in the U.S. separately show treatment of periodontal disease with Aloe; Blitz and Smith use Aloe in the treatment of 18 patients with peptic ulcer disease, with 17 of 18 patients recovering from symptoms.

During the last two decades, numerous researchers have shed extensive light on the beneficial properties of Aloe in the treatment of various health-related issues.

1980 — Wolfe shows Aloe to be highly effective against various microorganisms including staph, strep, candida and even in relieving pain and irritation of herpes.

1980 — Heggers and Robson show Aloe to be an effective treatment of thermal injury in dogs.

1982 — Heggers confirms the presence of salicylic acid, an aspirin-like compound in Aloe, explaining the plant’s anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

1985 — Heggers and Robson demonstrate the improved healing in thermal wounds due to the anti-prostaglandin activity of Aloe.

1986 — Ghanam shows anti-diabetic activity of Aloe and its effectiveness in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. This was confirmed later in human patients at the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.

1987 — Burns describes how the sap of Aloe leaves decreases pain and increases healing in Herpes Zoster blister breakouts.

1988 — Fulton shows faster healing of full-face dermabrasion patients when treated with Aloe Vera.

1992 — Robson and Heggers show increased wound healing in rats with burn injuries when treated with Aloe.

1994 — Davis suggests that mannose sugars in Aloe contribute to increased wound healing.

1994 — Robson, Heggers and Winters show increased wound breaking strength in wounds treated with Aloe and silver sulfadiazine.

1995 — Miller and Koltai show increased tissue survival in frostbite injury when treated with Aloe Vera.

1996 — Robson and Heggers show accelerated wound contraction, increased collagen activity and enhanced breaking strength of wounds treated with Aloe.

1980 — Wolfe shows Aloe to be highly effective against various microorganisms including staph, strep, candida and even in relieving pain and irritation of herpes.

1980 — Heggers and Robson show Aloe to be an effective treatment of thermal injury in dogs.

1982 — Heggers confirms the presence of salicylic acid, an aspirin-like compound in Aloe, explaining the plant’s anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

1985 — Heggers and Robson demonstrate the improved healing in thermal wounds due to the anti-prostaglandin activity of Aloe.

1986 — Ghanam shows anti-diabetic activity of Aloe and its effectiveness in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. This was confirmed later in human patients at the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.

1987 — Burns describes how the sap of Aloe leaves decreases pain and increases healing in Herpes Zoster blister breakouts.

1988 — Fulton shows faster healing of full-face dermabrasion patients when treated with Aloe Vera.

1992 — Robson and Heggers show increased wound healing in rats with burn injuries when treated with Aloe.

1994 — Davis suggests that mannose sugars in Aloe contribute to increased wound healing.

1994 — Robson, Heggers and Winters show increased wound breaking strength in wounds treated with Aloe and silver sulfadiazine.

1995 — Miller and Koltai show increased tissue survival in frostbite injury when treated with Aloe Vera.

1996 — Robson and Heggers show accelerated wound contraction, increased collagen activity and enhanced breaking strength of wounds treated with Aloe.