Aloe vera: A cheap trick

Research indicates that aloe vera’s earliest use originated from the Egyptians. This plant, comprised of 99 percent water and 1 percent glycoproteins and polysaccharides, which are anti-inflammatory and healing agents, truly has an interesting history.

Egyptians had the savvy to use this wondrous plant as they were, on every level, ahead of their time. Many of the hieroglyphics on the temple walls as well as the pyramid walls boasted and attested to their love for this commodity even to the point of it being put on the same level as God. They called it “The Plant of Immortality.”

It was used then in the treatment of tuberculosis as well as in the manufacturing of papyrus scrolls. It was also recorded that when a “dignitary” died, the funeral ceremony was by invitation only and with a price tag of a pound of aloe. The Egyptians used the odorous mixture of aloe and myrrh for embalming and placed it in the burial clothes and, interestingly enough, a man’s wealth and esteem was derived by the number of pounds of aloe he brought.

There is much more history on this plant, but I will let you follow that up on your own so as to get into the uses of aloe.

Taking aloe vera supplementation improves many conditions inclusive of dental problems. As we know, many dental issues come from infection. Aloe vera strengthens the immune system and, at the same time, rids the body of many “bad boy” agents responsible for a host of dental ailments.

If you are recovering from any type of invasive dental procedures, the use of aloe vera speeds up the healing process by a huge margin because it causes the immune system to function at full throttle. The eight main uses of aloe vera in dental practices are as follows:

• Applying directly (via syringe) to periodontal surgery sites

• Gum tissue application when gums have suffered trauma due to abrasion, sharp foods, dental floss and/or toothpick injuries

• Relieves chemical burns in the mouth

• Heals extraction sites and DRY SOCKETS DON’T DEVELOP when aloe vera is applied!

• Serious mouth sores are improved by direct application on herpetic viral lesions, aphthous ulcers, canker sores and corner cracks of the lips and gum abscesses are soothed with aloe vera, as well

• Other oral diseases such as Lichen Planus and Benign Pemphigus, Burning Mouth Syndrome, are much improved with aloe vera therapy

• Denture patients contending with sore ridges and ill-fitting dentures and partials can benefit from aloe vera as fungi and bacterial contamination are reduced in conjunction with these irritations

• Inject aloe vera around dental implants to control inflammation from bacteria contamination

Other oral disorders such as Candidiasis, Desquamative gingivitis, Vesiculobullous diseases, Acute Monocytic Leukemia and general hematological disorders and diseases originating from some nutritional problems all seem to respond to aloe vera use. Even Diabetes Mellitus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, menopausal patients and medications which cause Xerostomia (dry mouth).

Aloe vera was used extensively in the April 1995 bombing disaster in Oklahoma City. The attendants, doctors and first responders all learned that the healing capabilities of aloe vera far exceeded their expectations in pain control and healing time reduction. (Aloe vera cannot be used on open wounds, only first-degree burns.)

Grown mostly in sub-tropical climates, it is mostly found in South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, but aloe vera can be grown in greenhouses in Texas and Oklahoma, etc., where the climate can be mimicked adequately.

Available forms would be in the leaves (if you grow your own or purchase actual plants), commercially prepared ointments, creams or lotions. It can be included in cosmetics and you can purchase aloe in the form of capsules, tablets, juice and gel.

Part of the wide-use spectrum for this “gift” is as follows:

• Burns, as it stimulates skin growth and repair, acts as an analgesic, used for psoriasis and genital herpes with better results than the 1 percent cortisone cream!

• Constipation: Aloe vera juice or aloe latex is a powerful, natural laxative.

• Diabetes: Preliminary studies have shown that aloe vera juice may help lower blood sugar levels in type 2, adult onset diabetes.

Aloe is an herb and is strong medicine, therefore DO NOT TAKE OR USE IT UNLESS YOU’VE FIRST CONSULTED WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN, as this can interfere with many medications and taking the aloe latex can cause premature labor for expectant moms.

Although aloe vera is 99 percent water, the 1 percent contains substances called glycoproteins and poly saccharides. Both substances are anti-inflammatory agents and spur skin growth and repair.

Some practical applications would be to use the gel for hair sculpting. I dilute my aloe gel with one part water and create a “leave-in” conditioner for my hair.

Also, you can purchase perfume oils and suspend them in aloe gel for an alternative, healthy application of fragrance rather than spraying yourself with the usual alcohol-based fragrance product which is drying to your skin.

I have also crushed (to a fine powder) strong pain relievers (Excedrin Migraine Formula); mixed the powder in aloe gel and rubbed it on my aching knee and it gave instant and long-lasting relief without going through my liver!