Aloe Vera

Did you know that about 25 percent of the drugs prescribed worldwide are derived from plants? Of the 252 drugs in the World Health Organization’s essential medicine list, 11 percent are exclusively of plant origin.

Natural plant products have been used throughout human history for various purposes and for much of history, herbal medicine was the only medicine. Today, plants are being used to treat a number of health conditions, including allergies, arthritis, migraines, skin infections, burns and gastrointestinal issues.

Aloe Vera is a cactus-like plant having thick and fleshy leaves with spiny margins. Its leaf contain a gel, which is bitter in taste. The fleshy portion of the leaf is evergreen and its tip resembles a thorn. Aloe Vera is only found in cultivation, having no naturally occurring populations. This species is being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. It first appeared in use by the Ancient Egyptians, some 6000 years ago. They called it the “plant of immortality.” Its therapeutic benefits are manifold and it has been used therapeutically for many centuries in India, as well as in other parts in the world.1.

Benefits of Aloe Vera:

1. Aloe Vera is High in Vitamins & Minerals: Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, and choline, B1, B2, B3, and B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contain vitamin B12. Some of the 20 minerals found in Aloe Vera include: calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper and manganese.

2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids