Science of Aloe Vera

Aloe, also known as the lily of the desert, is a hearty succulent that originated in the arid region of South Africa. Today there are between 250- 350 different species world wide. This plant generally grows in dry sunny conditions. Aloe can also be grown well in pots as long as the soil is coarse and very well drained. If needed aloe can be best fertilized with a 10-40-10 fertilizer. This is the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Avoid over watering as it can lead to rot. Aloe is also prone to frost and rarely survives conditions under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Aloe Vera extract or, gel, is made up of 99% water, and mono/polysaccharides. The most important ones are mannose-6-phosphate and gluco-mannans, these are sugar chains.  Aloes main active compounds in aloe vera are, glycoproteins, anthraquinones, polysaccharides, and a low-molecular-weight species such as beta- sitosterol (Choi & Chung 2003). Aloe gel also has lignans, saponins, salicylic acid, sterols and triterpenoids, vitamins A, C, E, B12, thiamine, niacin and folic acid (Braun, 8).

Thromboxane (blood clotting agent) a natural wound inhibitor can be combated by the use of Aloe in vitro (Zachary et al 1987). The beta-sitosterol appears to improve wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis and neovascularization. The anthraquinones in aloe make it a great laxative. It must be used with caution because of the ability to become dehydrated with using any laxative. Aloe has also been proposed to be an anti-ulcer, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cytoprotective,healing and mucus stimulatory effects.