The following is written by Ray Sahelian, M.D; please visit http://www.raysahelian.com for more information on natural supplements.

Aloe vera is actually a common plant in many homes. A succulent perennial plant belonging to the lily family, aloe vera plant grows wild on the African continent. There are hundreds of aloe species. The aloe vera plant is often separated into two basic parts which are the gel and the latex. Aloe vera gel is a clear jelly-like substance obtained from the inner portion of the leaves. Aloe latex, commonly referred to as aloe vera juice, is a bitter yellow exudate that happens to be just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. Aloe vera latex has laxative properties.

Aloe Vera benefit

For centuries, the gel of the aloe vera plant has been of benefit as a soothing topical remedy for minor burns and wounds. There have been many claims regarding the health benefit of aloe vera plant, but the one health benefit that most people agree is that aloe vera, when ingested internally, can promote bowel function and this could help certain people if they have difficulty with passing their stools and hence aloe vera could be beneficial in certain cases of constipation.

Aloe vera and gastrointestinal system

Aloe vera juice has been tested in a number of conditions including inflammatory bowel disease.

Aloe vera could be of benefit in certain instances of gastric mucosal healing. In a mouse study, administration of 20% acetic acid induced gastric inflammation, increased leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venules and TNF-alpha levels and reduced IL-10 level. Aloe vera treatment reduced leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha levels, elevated IL-10 level and promoted gastric ulcer healing.

Aloe vera and blood sugar

Oral administration of aloe vera gel extract to diabetic rats for a period of three weeks resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a significant improvement in plasma insulin. In addition, the decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increased plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in diabetic rats were restored to near normal levels following treatment with the extract.