Why is it called the queen of phytotherapeutic plants, what are its properties, its uses and how to choose the most effective one.
Aloe has a history stretching back thousands of years. This legendary plant with a thousand uses has earned the title of "Queen of phytotherapeutic plants" because it contains more than 300 active ingredients and can therefore be used for a variety of health conditions, including preventative measures.
No other plant in the world has such a high number of active ingredients within it.
It is considered a “natural healer” as it played a primary role in the pharmacology of many ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Indians, Mayans and Romans.
The Hindus even called it “the silent healer”, while ancient Chinese doctors considered it one of the plants with the most therapeutic properties and called it “harmonious remedy”.
What are the main characteristics and properties of Aloe?
The numerous active ingredients present within it, we have said to be more than 300, can be grouped into three large families: complex sugars, including acemannan which has a powerful immunostimulant action[1]* ; anthraquinones , which regulate intestinal peristalsis[2]* and have a detoxifying and antibiotic action; and numerous molecules with high nutritional and anti-inflammatory[3]*, analgesic, antifungal power , such as vitamins, amino acids and enzymes.
In which cases can it be used?
As mentioned, thanks to the presence of this enormous number of active ingredients, aloe can be used both as a preventative and to treat various ailments. For dermatological use , aloe is ideal for skin blemishes, insect bites, psoriasis, sunburn, and is also excellent for dermatitis and diaper rash in babies.
For oral use, thanks to the synergy of its components, it can be used to strengthen the immune system, to detoxify and thoroughly cleanse the body of harmful toxins, to rebalance and optimize the intestines and to support the body during seasonal changes.
It is advisable to take aloe before spring because it will neutralize annoying allergies, avoiding the symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as itchy throat, nose, and eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing.
Taking aloe before winter also helps minimize the risk of flu attacks, cough, fever, sore throat, sensations of broken bones, nasal congestion, and chills.
It is also an excellent remedy in case of gastroesophageal reflux and gastric ulcers[4]*.
Unfortunately, today we are bombarded with poor-quality foods, smog, and radiation, factors that weaken our bodies and make us vulnerable to disease.
Taking Aloe should be a daily habit, just like drinking a good coffee.
Is it true that aloin is toxic?
Here we enter a field where there is a perennial debate.
In a study, in which aloe was administered to rats at doses 200 times higher It has emerged that those recommended for humans could be harmful to the body.
Let us repeat, administration with daily doses 200 times higher than those indicated in humans.
There are many studies that demonstrate the absence of toxicity , for example the research of Dr. Matsuda[5]* shows that no toxicity was detected and no physical problems of any kind emerged by taking 100 mg of Aloe with aloin for each Kg of body weight.
Taking 100mg of Aloe extract for every kilo of body weight theoretically means that a person weighing 70kg can take 7000mg (= 7 grams) of Aloe Arborescens extract every day for a whole year and experience no problems whatsoever.
7 grams of Aloe extract is equivalent to approximately 15 capsules per day!
There are no products whose recommended daily dosage is 15 capsules.
Therefore, at the normally recommended dosages there is no risk of toxicity.
Prof. Lucini also highlighted in his studies how the numerous therapeutic and pharmacological effects of Aloe, which we have listed previously, are due to a synergistic action between the different biomolecules and nutritional components concentrated in the entire leaf, not just in the internal gel.
Is there only one variety of Aloe?
There are over 250 varieties of Aloe, but the choice essentially boils down to 2.
Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens.
Aloe vera is the best known in the world because, given its ease of processing and low cost, it is the most used variety, sometimes even senselessly in products such as jeans, toilet paper, mattresses, etc.
Aloe arborescens is the lesser-known sister, despite being the most valuable, as it has a concentration of active ingredients three times higher than aloe vera, but it is little used because it is more expensive and less suitable for industrial processing and is therefore economically disadvantageous for companies.
Are there any tips for choosing the best aloe products?
Given the high concentration of active ingredients, products based on Aloe arborescens are preferable, as this translates into greater preventive and therapeutic efficacy, as evidenced by numerous scientific studies. Furthermore, Aloe Vera products use only the inner gel, not the cuticle (peel), which contains a whole arsenal of beneficial, essential, and vital molecules with anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and healing properties.
Furthermore, among products containing Aloe arborescens, it's best to choose cold-processed aloe. This characteristic is often difficult to identify, but it's very important, if not essential, since processes that raise the temperature (pasteurization, sterilization, etc.) destroy many of the active ingredients in aloe, drastically reducing its effectiveness.
One last tip: avoid products that contain a lot of sugar (honey or sweeteners), unsafe preservatives, flavorings, or other substances that could be harmful to your health. For oral use, for example, it's best to buy powdered products that don't require sugar to maintain a pleasant taste or preservatives to ensure their shelf life.
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