Physical and Chemical Properties of Aloe vera

Aloe vera being a cactus plant constitute of 90-95 % water with an average pH of 4.5. The solid material contains over 75 different chemicals including: vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, anthraquinones or phenolic compounds, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids and salicylic acid.

• Vitamins – Contains the important anti-oxidants A, C and F. Vitamin B but do not contain vitamin D.

• Minerals - Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium and iron are found in the aloe plant. Magnesium lactate inhibits histidine decarboxylase and prevents the formation of histamine from the amino acid, histadine.

• Enzymes - contains amylase, lipase and important enzyme a carboxy peptidase, inactivates bradykinins and produces anti-inflammatory effect.

• Sugar – are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant, under the rind surrounding the inner parenchyma or gel. Sugars are made up of the 25% of the solid constituent and contain mono- and polysaccharides. The polychain saccharides are by far the most important sugar, comprising of glucose and mannans (Beta - (1, 4) - linked acetylated mannan).

• Anthraquinones – The phenolic compounds are found in the sap. The bitter aloe consists of free anthraquinones and their derivates: Barbaloin-lO- (1151 anhydroglucosyl) — aloe-emodin-9-anthrone), lsobarbaloin, Anthrone-C-glycosides and chromones.

• Saponins – It is a soapy substance and form 3 % of the gel.

• Sallycis Acid – it is an aspirin like compound possessing anti- inflammatory and antibacterial effect.

• Amino Acids – Provides 20 of the 22 amino acids that are needed for human beings and the 5 essential amino acids that human body cannot synthesis and needed to be ingested.

Beneficial Properties

The ancient Egyptians referred to Aloe as the “plant of immortality” and include it with their funerary gifts buried with pharaohs; more and more evidences are arising with its potential healing properties as the time goes.

Some of the beneficial properties are:

• Helps heal wounds – when applied to wounds aloe gel has a mild anesthetic, relieve itching, swelling and pain. It also has an antibacterial and antifungal properties and increased blood flow to the affected area.

• Support Surgical Recovery – Decreases surgical recovery time.

• Soothes burns – can be used for first and second-degree burns.

• Minimize frostbites damage – prevents a decrease in blood flow to the frozen area a common cause of tissue loss in frostbites.

• Screens out radiation – protects the skin from x-ray radiation.

• Heals Psoriasis Lesion – it is a chronic non- contagious disease that mainly affects the skin, studies have indicated that application of aloe vera ointment has significantly reduces the skin psoriasis lesions.

• Eases Intestinal problems – it helps to ease inflammatory bowel diseases. This is done by regulating the gastrointestinal tract pH, increases motility, increasing stool specific gravity and reducing the population of certain microorganism of the gut.

• Lower Blood Sugar in Diabetes – there are studies indicating that diabetic patient given a daily supplement of Aloe vera shows a significant decrease in their blood sugar level.

• Reduces Arthritic Swelling – prevent arthritis and reduces inflammation of the joints that are affected by arthritis. It also prevents the autoimmune reaction connected with some form of arthritis.

There are promising studies and result released for disease such as HIV, Cancer such as lung cancer, etc.

Distribution

The natural range of Aloe is not clear since the species has been cultivated globally. It is suggested that the naturalized stands of the species occur through Africa (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia), Canary and Madeira islands. The species is believed to have been introduced to China, Pakistan, India and various parts of Southern Europe in the later part of the 17th century. The species occur in temperate and tropical temperature and currently it is naturalized in Australia, Barbados, Belize, Nigeria, Paraguay and USA.