The stories of the effects of Aloe Vera seem incredible.
You may wonder how a simple plant juice can have so many different effects on the skin and body.
Some of the earliest scientific research on Aloe Vera was performed in 1935 by researchers for the Atomic Energy Commission. They concluded that Aloe Vera was the most effect product known for the treatment of radiation burns of the skin. Still they did not uncover what actually happens when Aloe Vera comes into contact with the skin. Later, scientists began to analyze the specific chemical makeup of Aloe Vera. It was only then that the explanation for the many properties of Aloe Vera began to unfold.
Hundreds of scientific papers have been written about Aloe Vera. Many describe the activities of Aloe Vera when taken internally and when applied externally to the hair and skin. Certain characteristics of Aloe Vera are described repeatedly and are well documented.
These include :
- It is a natural cleanser.
- It penetrates tissue.
- It anaesthetises the tissue in the area to which it is applied, relieving pain deep beneath the surface including pain associated with joints and sore muscles.
- It is bactericidal when it is maintained in high concentration for several hours in direct contact with infectious bacteria. It does not act as a strong antibiotic, which may destroy bacteria although highly diluted.
- It is veridical when in direct contact in high concentration for long period of time.
- It is fungicidal under same conditions.
- It reduces bleeding time.
- Its antipyretic properties can reduce the fever of heat or sores.
- It is anti-inflammatory. Its action is similar to that of core-costeriods, reducing swelling and redness.
- Its antipyretic properties can relieve or prevent itching.
- It is nutritional – providing a wide range of vitamins, minerals and sugars.
- It dilates capillaries, increasing blood supply to the are to which it is applied.
- It breaks down and digests dead tissue, including pus, through the action of proteolytic enzymes. This hastens the degenerative phase of healing.
- It enhances normal cell proliferation (epithelization), which hastens the regenerative phase of healing.
- It moisturizes the tissue to which it is applied.
Considering, then, the structure of the human skin, the makeup of Aloe Vera, you can begin to see why the Aloe Vera improves skin health, stimulating the growth of normal cells, removing dead cells and bringing in vitamins and proteins.