About Aloe Cleanse

Over the years, toxins from foods and the environment begin to accumulate within the body. These toxins are formed as free radicals, which are mutated cell molecules. While the body is able to naturally cleanse these toxins from the system, when free radicals begin to amass faster than they are cleansed, complications such as fatigue, digestion issues and premature aging can occur. Due to its medicinal qualities, some choose to ingest aloe for its cleansing abilities. However, medical professionals caution against that use.

History

• Aloe vera is a naturally occurring plant grown in Latin America, South Africa and throughout the Caribbean. According to the University of Maryland, aloe vera has been utilized for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. While its uses to treat certain conditions have been around for a millennium, it was in the 18th century that it gained popularity within the public for its medicinal qualities.

Common Uses

• Aloe gel comes from the interior part of the leaf, and this solution is commonly used for minor skin abrasions as well as for burns. Aloe gel is widely used to treat mild to moderate sunburns. The properties within this gel reduce skin inflammation and pain that is associated with this type of ailment. According to the Medical Center at the University of Maryland, patients who were treated with aloe gel healed nine days faster than those who did not receive this solution.

  Other skin conditions, such as herpes and psoriasis are treated with aloe gel. The gel has shown to provide greater healing qualities than 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, which is commonly prescribed for skin ailments.

Properties

• Aloe vera is comprised of 99 percent water, but the gel contains two active substances. The first of these are glycoproteins. This compound helps skin cells repair themselves as well as hindering inflammation and pain. The second active compound is known as polysaccharides, which work with the body to stimulate skin repair as well as growth. According to the University of Maryland, both of these substances are known to stimulate the immune system.

Cleansing

• Due to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera, its uses are beginning to encompass body cleansing. According to the Mayo Clinic, aloe historically has been used to treat constipation by consumption of aloe latex, or the lining of the plant. However, medical professionals at the University of Maryland strongly recommend that individuals never consume aloe latex as it can cause severe intestinal cramps and uncontrollable diarrhea due to its powerful laxative effect.

Considerations

• The use of aloe vera for skin conditions has been proven to be a safe and effective means to provide pain relief from burns and expedite the healing process. While consuming aloe juice, or aloe latex, is promoted as an excellent way to cleanse the body from toxins and free the bowels from impacted fecal matter, both the University of Maryland and the Mayo Clinic strongly suggest that internal use of aloe should be avoided. The sister plants of aloe, which includes senna and cascara, are safer alternatives to system cleansing and constipation relief. Prior to ingesting any of these herbs, speak with your physician to ensure their safety.