Aloe Vera - History and Uses

Aloe Vera has become very popular over the last ten years, but its history goes back over thousands of years.

It is native to Africa with references to it appearing in ancient literature of the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. The earliest recorded mention was on Sumerian clay tablets dating back to 2,200 B.C. Galen, the father of modern medicine who lived at the time of Christ, also used it therapeutically.

There are many romantic tales about Aloe Vera – the Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra bathed in it to keep their skin beautiful. Alexander the Great even invaded an island in the Indian Ocean to capture their famed Aloe suppliers to treat his wounded soldiers.

In places where it grows naturally around the world Aloe Vera has been called ‘The Burn Plant’ and ‘The Miracle Plant’. The name Aloe itself probably comes from the Arabic word ‘Alloeh’ meaning ‘shining bitter substance’. This reference is to a substance found just under the hard green rind of the plant that contains mainly aloin, which acts as a laxative.

In modern times Aloe Vera has been widely investigated in an attempt to discover why it has such far-reaching benefits.

Aloe Vera has an excellent reputation for helping with stomach complaints such as ulcers, Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis.

Its use in this area has been subject to much research notably by Pharmacist Bill Coats, who has devoted 35 years to researching Aloe Vera. He discovered that aloin, the bitter substance in the plant can actually be detrimental in some areas - for example it has been found that the anti-inflammatory effect is actually enhanced when the aloin has been removed.

So, he and his colleagues developed a unique process that would allow the aloin to be removed but the beneficial properties of the plant retained.

Other researchers at the Queen Mary School of Medicine & Dentistry found that Aloe Vera gel helped boost the healing process in cases of ulceration of the gut.

Sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome also find that drinking the Aloe Vera juice every day can ease many of their symptoms. Sufferers of Ulcerative Colitis also find that drinking a small amount of Aloe Vera juice each day can bring about a dramatic improvement in their symptoms. Their experience supports the findings of a trial carried out by gastroenterologist Professor David Rampton at the Royal London Hospital in January 2004. The trial involved 44 patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis and showed improvement in one in three.

Aloe Vera gel is commonly used for skin complaints like eczema and urticaria. Research published in the Journal of Tropical Medicine also reported success using an Aloe Vera ointment on psoriasis and it is useful in promoting healing after skin burning or surgery. It is one of the best after-sun gels, and it is very useful after radiotherapy treatment to avoid skin damage.

Aloe Vera is a very effective moisturizer for the skin and helps the skin rebuild itself by stimulating fibroblasts – which produce collagen and elastin fibers so the skin becomes more elastic and less wrinkled. 

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIMH

Medical Herbalist

Treating Sinus Infections

The sinus cavities lie in the bone structure of the face, on each side of the nose, just between the eyes and between the eyebrows. When the mucous membranes lining these small cavities inflame and swell, the headache and stuffiness typical of a sinus infection develop. Depending on which sinus has become infected, the pain will centre on either side of the nose or on the forehead. In some instances, it feels like a toothache. The pain often centers at on exact spot, or it can be diffuse, like a mild pressure headache. Bending over or pressing against the particular bone affected definitely hurts. Typically, the nose feels stuffed up and blowing it brings out greenish-yellow mucus. The voice becomes nasal. An acute sinus infection can be quite painful and long lasting. Fever, fatigue and facial swelling are common in acute infections; chronic infections produce few symptoms, sometimes with only a postnasal drip.

Sinusitis is caused by viruses and bacteria, and often follows a head cold which refuses to heal. In some cases, dental infections are the cause, especially in recurring infections that begin as a toothache. Allergies can also result in sinus infections. Chronic or recurring infections are often due to poorly healed sinusitis, which gives a foundation for renewed infection.

Sinusitis is difficult to heal because the swelling limits proper air flow. Steam typically helps to open air passages. Smoking and other irritants increase susceptibility. Swimming is a trigger for some people. Certain foods that increase mucus production such as milk and milk products, often add to the problem.

Drink plenty of liquids to aid drainage, and avoid simple sugars. Since 25% of the cases sinusitis is connected with food allergies, eliminate common food allergens until sensitivities can be determined. Common food allergens are milk, wheat, eggs, citrus fruits, corn and peanut butter. Make sure to get adequate vitamin A from yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, since a deficiency can cause sinusitis, citrus fruits provide vitamin C, which helps fight infections. Lemon juice is excellent in a steaming hot drink. Add manuka honey for taste. Spicy foods and alcohol aggravate sinusitis. Radishes clear the sinuses. For a sinus headache, hold a clove of garlic in the mouth for 15 minutes. Celery and turnip-green juice or any other green, leafy vegetables are excellent to clear mucus.

Vitamin A and C are essential during a sinus infection. When vitamin A is deficient, a sinus infection can take hold more easily, as this vitamin protects the mucous membranes from illness. Vitamin C is useful for any infection, since it enhances immune system function and is both antibacterial and antiviral. Bioflavonoids maximize the use and absorption of vitamin C and act similarly. Colloidal silver also is useful for treating sinusitis.

Building the immune system and reducing phlegm are paramount in the fight against infection. Herbal remedies are excellent for these purposes.

An excellent formula to clear mucus and relieve pain is made by using 1 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, garlic clove, fresh ginger root, onion, and parsley leaf. Crush or chop finely and place in a glass container. Make an extract by adding ½ cup of raw, organic apple cider vinegar and stand for 24 hours. Strain and use 1 teaspoon on 1 cup of hot water three times a day.

To boost the immune system and help fight infection, take 5-10ml of Echinacea root tincture every two to three hours for an acute infection along with plantain juice at the same dose.

For chronic sinusitis take 5ml three times a day of Echinacea and plantain mixture, along with Reishi mushrooms to aid the immune system in clearing the stubborn infection.

Olbas oil or eucalyptus oil added to a steam inhalation is an excellent method of giving relief to sinusitis sufferers.

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIMH

Medical Herbalist