Aloe Vera Juice Health Benefits

Aloe perfoliata, commonly known as aloe vera, aloe or medicinal aloe, may have originated in the northern region of Africa. The juice from the plant has been used for thousands of years in health and medicinal applications. Today, the use of aloe vera juice is very popular in alternative medicine and holistic treatment circles and it may be beneficial in skin applications and as an ingredient in health juice blends.

History

The earliest recorded instances of aloe vera use come from ancient papyrus, dated around the 16-century, BC; Pliny the Younger mentioned it in his writings as an ointment. By the turn of the first millennium, the plant juice was a valuable commodity and travelers offered it to their hosts. Today, aloe vera is common in the topical treatment of minor burns, rashes and some swear by the health benefits of drinking the juice.

Benefits

The Mayo Clinic Education and Research Group presents the few known health benefits of aloe vera. Limited studies of the effects of the plant juice on human health provide guidelines for use. Aloe vera appears to be efficient as a laxative and it may assist in the treatment of colitis. Men who suffer from genital herpes may find some relief from aloe vera and the juice may alleviate some of the symptoms of dandruff and other forms of dermatitis when applied directly to the skin.

Alternative Treatments

The alternative medicine industry uses aloe vera in numerous applications, both externally and internally. As a topical treatment, adherents slather it on sunburns for relief, dab it on canker sores, mix it into dry skin lotions and cosmetics and apply it to minor wounds before bandaging.

Health Drink

In addition to its popularity for external applications, holistic health practitioners cite aloe vera juice as a super-drink for dieters, for those with digestive problems or diabetics and as a preventive measure for cancer and HIV. More studies must be completed before the mainstream medical community will accept such claims.

Caution

Despite the vast health claims for aloe vera juice, some people might suffer allergic reactions to the application or the consumption of its juice. The risk of an allergic reaction to aloe vera increases in those who are also allergic to onions, garlic or other members of the genus, Liliaceous family, such as tulips.