Dear Reader,

Because it is so versatile, many people refer to aloe as "nature's perfect plant." The aloe plant has been heralded for centuries for its diverse healing powers. Aloe has the unique ability to heal both internally and externally. As a drink it can be used to treat internal stomach problems like irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis.  Externally, the gel from the aloe plant speeds healing of damaged skin, fights infections, minimizes scarring, reduces pain, retards aging and moisturizes and retains moisture by carrying added emollients deep into the layers of the skin.
Aloe is a lily-like, green and sometimes spiny shrub with very little, if any stem. Basically, it looks like a cactus plant even thought it is a member of the lily family. The outer leaf is smooth and rubbery and inside is the gel that is believed to give aloe its healing properties.

Because they are so easy to grow and maintain, many people keep aloe plants in their kitchens for quick first aid if a burn occurs. The plants are sold at almost all garden centers. Aloe Vera thrives in a pot on a windowsill and is well suited to the hot dry conditions of the average home. They will tolerate a few hours of sun a day, but should thrive anywhere as long as there is a lot of bright indirect sunlight. Aloe plants need to be watered only once a month. They will thrive on an outdoor patio as long as they don't get excessive amounts of hot sun.

Aloe Vera cuttings are very easy to root. Put at least one third of the cutting under the dirt in the pot. Keep the soil moist for the first few weeks while it develops roots. The stalk may shrivel a little while it lives off the stored energy but this is normal. Resist the temptation to over water because like all succulent plants Aloe Vera will rot if it sits in a wet pot.

Always use the lowest leaves, the closest to the ground first. The bottom leaves are older and larger so they contain more juice. The waxy surface of the aloe plant acts like a plastic wrapper, keeping precious water inside.

The Aloe Vera plant is about 96% water. It also contains essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Aloe Vera contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. Aloe Vera naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over acidity - a common cause of indigestion.

Aloe Vera is available in a concentrated capsule form and as a juice. One concentrated capsule is typically equivalent to two ounces of pure Aloe Vera juice. One bottle of 100 capsules is equivalent to more than six quarts of pure Aloe Vera juice with no added water.

Daily supplementation with aloe has been proven to stimulate the immune system, improve wound healing and stimulate the production of a wide range of antioxidant enzymes that act to detoxify the body.

Because most products that contain Aloe Vera are non-toxic, they should be included in your child's first aid kit that you send with them to summer camp. When choosing an aloe product, be sure to read the ingredients and select only products that list aloe as the primary ingredient.

Aloe Vera is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a vegetable juice. It is approved for external use in cosmetics and for treatment of minor burns, skin irritations and sunburn. Because it has so many uses, aloe is the one plant that you can't live without.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

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http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/green-power-protein

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http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/zanguard

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http://www.ivlonline.com/letter/gluco-balance

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