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has been shown to help psoriasis patients.
Why does it work?
The gel is rich in a
number of vitamins, minerals, plant sterols (which act as
anti-inflammatory agents), saponins (which have a powerful anti-bacteria
effect), amino acids (building blocks of essential protein). Together
they soothe and heal damaged skin. Aloe vera gel may also provide mild
analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Natural or processed? You can grow a
small potted aloe vera plant and just break off or cut a leaf and
squeeze out the gel as needed - for burns, minor wounds and skin
ailments. Aloe is a low-maintenance plant. It is very easy to grow,
needs little water and almost no care. There
are many commercially processed aloe products on the market, some of
which have been reconstituted from a powder. Some products that claim to
contain aloe actually have so little that they have no therapeutic value
at all. Go to a reliable health food shop and ask before you buy. Or try
the well-established Forever Living products:
www.ForeverLiving.com .
Is it safe? To date, there are no
known adverse reactions or side effects with the use of aloe gel.
But there is also aloe, a potent laxative drug derived from the outer
leaf tissue of the aloe plant in the form of a yellow juice, but usually
sold as a dry powder. This contains purgatives and can cause
inflammation to the gut. So do not use the outer leaf, just squeeze out
the gel.
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