There are 300 or more different species of Aloe. The most prominent variety, Aloe barbadensis, Miller commonly referred to as Aloe vera, is especially noted for its amazing healing abilities. Although Aloe vera resembles a cactus, it actually belongs to the family of liliaceous plants and is indigenous to subtropical regions and deserts.

The etymology of the word Aloe is Arabic; It’s derived from the Arabic word “Alloeh,” which means: “shining bitter substance.” While the word “vera” stems from Latin and means “true.” 6,000 year old stone carvings containing images of Aloe vera plants have been found in Egypt, where Aloe vera was known as the “plant of immortality”. In fact, it was commonly given to deceased pharaohs as a burial gift!  2000 years ago Greek scientists deemed Aloe vera the “universal panacea.” Historically, Aloe vera has been successfully used by traditional medicine practitioners in many disparate cultures including: Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan and China. According to legend, Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds.

The first reference to Aloe vera in English was a translation by John Goodyew in A.D. 1655 of Dioscorides’ Medical treatise De Materia Medica. Aloe vera was first used as a laxative in the United States in the 1880’s. In the mid-1930s, it was used successfully to reverse chronic and severe radiation dermatitis.

“The potency of Aloe vera is due to its rich variety of ingredients which are present in perfect balance and work together as a team. Although the solid portion of the plant forms only 1%-1.5%, the rest being water, this small amount of active ingredient can produce a substantial effect. The only way to account for this is to accept the philosophy of synergism within the plant. Synergism means that the effect of the whole is greater than the effects of the component parts, so although individual members of the team could only have an effect, together they can achieve a great deal more.” Aloe Vera – The Medicine Plant’, Dr Peter Atherton, p25

The Structure of the leaf is basically made up of:

• The Rind –  is the tough outer layer and is where the synthesis and production of all the nutrients in Aloe Vera takes place
• The Sap – is bitter and contains anthraquinones (latex)
• The Mucilage layer – is rich in long chain sugars called polysaccharides
• The Inner Leaf Gel – is sterile and can be used immediately and contains the majority of nutrients in the Aloe Vera plant

DIY Aloe Vera Gel

Equipment

• Six Aloe leaves (depending on size) from a mature and healthy plant. Leaves that are anywhere from four (4) to six (6) inches in length make a generous 1/4-cup amount.
• A clean sharp knife
• A clean cutting board and work surface
• A clean Glass container (It’s best to store your gel in the fridge preferably in a dark or opaque glass container to protect it from light which can degrade it). Make sure the jar has a secure fitting lid to keep air out.
• Food processor or blender
• Paper towels
• Spoon and spatula
* Optional: rubber gloves to protect your hands from the serrated edges of the leaf.

Method

1. Begin by washing your hands. You don’t want to introduce any unwanted bacteria into your gel and contaminate it. Make sure your work surface, and utensils are clean when preparing your gel.

2. Choose leaves that are mature, thick, fleshy and a deep green in color. Look for leaves that are at least 4-6 inches in length. The oldest and largest outermost leaves near the bottom of the plant are ideal; they contain a thick, nutrient-rich gel layer. Did you know that cut Aloe leaves do not grow back? However, the cut leaves will eventually stimulate the emergence of new growth from the center of the plant.

3. Remove the leaves. Use a sharp knife to create a clean cut, without harming the plant of course. Cut close to the base of the leaf and slice away from the center of the plant. Or you can buy cut Aloe leaves at select stores or online.

4. Rinse the outer skin of the leaves and knife under running water. Now place the cut leaves in a bowl at a 45 degree angle for 15 minutes or so. This step enables the dark yellow, very bitter Aloe juice or latex to drain out, which is found in the cells located just under the surface of the leaf. The latex is a very powerful laxative, which can irritate the intestines. The laxative effect could cause potassium levels to become low.

5. Now carefully remove the serrated edges and skin. Mature Aloe Vera leaves are slightly curved. Place the concave side down on a cutting board. Next, slice around the perimeter. This will leave you with the top and bottom layer of skin, exposing the Aloe gel in between. The top layer of skin comes off next. Run the knife just under the surface and peel it away. Now you can flip the leaf over and do the same to the other side.

6. Remove the gel from each leaf and place it in a clean jar until you’re ready to process the batch in a blender or a food processor.

7. Transfer the gel into a food processor and process until it’s uniformly mixed. Next add a scant quarter teaspoon of vitamin C powder (100% Pure Powder; non-GMO, Pharmaceutical Grade (USP); GMP Quality Assured in the form of ascorbic acid to every cup of gel. It neutralizes oxygen on contact thus acting as a preservative. Or you can add 400 IU of vitamin E. In its natural form, vitamin E is designated d-, as in-d-alpha-tocopherol (recommended). You can also use grapefruit extract as a preservative. Add the gel and your choice of preservative in the food processor or blender and thoroughly mix or you can manually stir it into the processed gel with a spoon.

8. Store in the fridge in a glass container with a tight lid and label (include the date made). Fresh Aloe gel usually keeps for about a week in the fridge, but with a preservative it will last much longer, up to a month or so. Still it’s best to make small batches and replace as necessary to maintain the utmost potency and freshness. Use a clean spoon to scoop into your gel even if you are going to apply it topically as fingers can introduce unwanted bacteria into the gel.

How to Easily Filet an Aloe Leaf

DOSAGE

Dr. Andrew Weil recommends the following Aloe vera dosage guidelines: For internal use of aloe gel, 30 ml three times a day. Topically, apply the fresh gel as needed. Suggested Dosage from Lily of the Desert (internal): Take 2 ounces (4 Tbsp) per serving alone or mixed with a favorite juice 2x a day. For serious conditions take up to 8 ounces daily.

Of course, if you are planning on using Aloe vera internally as a tonic or a medicine, you will need quite a few Aloe plants or you can buy organic, mature, Aloe vera leaves.

Some Proven Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

“Based on studies and clinical applications Aloe vera has been shown beyond a doubt to have immense potential therapeutically. Aloe vera is used medicinally both externally and internally.
Aloe vera is the single most healing of all the herbs. It’s anti-cancer, anti-parasitic, and it repairs DNA. It protects us from viruses and bacteria. Every time I take juice, I take aloe, and it makes a big difference.”

– Gary Nulls Ultimate Anti Aging Program by Gary Null, Ph.D.

Skin Cancer

Several new studies have found that Aloe Vera can prevent and even treat melanoma. Research from the University of Belgrade’s School of Medicine confirmed that the constituents in Aloe Vera stops proliferation (rapidly multiplication) of cells that morph into tumors via skin cancer. The researchers found that Aloe-emodin stopped cell proliferation. The researchers concluded that although isolated aloe compounds were protective, the whole herb extracts were superior. http://www.realnatural.org/aloe-vera-treats-and-prevents-skin-cancer/

Other studies have also demonstrated aloe’s ability to stop the progression of skin cancer when applied  directly on the skin.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/research-finds-aloe-vera-may-prevent-and-treat-skin-cancer

Cancer
Aloe vera contains acemannan, a natural immune booster. Go to Google Scholar and peruse the links to studies about the anti-cancer effects of acemannan.

South Korea’s Gachon University of Medicine and Science found that Aloe-emodin stopped the growth of human cancerous liver cells and induced cell death among tumor cells.

In 2010, researchers from the China Medical University that Aloe constituents Emodin and Rhein also produced anticancer effects, which included stopping tumor progression and inducing cell death in cancer cells.

Halts Cancerous Growth
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/oral-administration-aloe-vera-and-honey-inhibits-cancer-rats

More Cancer and Aloe vera studies:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=aloe+vera+tumors

Improves Digestive System

Boosts Immune System
http://jonbarron.org/article/super-saccharides-aloe-vera-immune-system#.VPUD3-H2SUk

Inhibits breast Cancer cell lines
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/compound-aloe-inhibits-growth-breast-cancer-cell-lines

Improve symptoms in those with Alzheimer’s
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/aloe-vera-compound-found-treat-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease1

Aloe and Burns
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7561562

Heals Side Effects of Radiotherapy Treatments and MUCH more…
http://www.naturalnews.com/021858_aloe_vera_gel.html

Anti-inflammatory
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=aloe+vera+inflammation&hl=en&lr=

Reduces Arthritis Pain
http://www.aloeplant.info/arthritis-getting-you-down-can-aloe-really-help/

ALOE VERA – AMAZING LIVER HEALING

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,32&q=aloe+vera+crohn%27s,and+colitis
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aloe-vera-gel-has-therapeutic-potential-treatment-inflammatory-bowel-diseases

Antidiabetic:  http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=aloe+vera+and+diabetes&btnG=&hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C32
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aloe-sap-has-significant-antidiabetic-activity-both-humans-and-animals

*Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.