Our aloes powder is comprised of the thickened dried juice of the leaves of some species of Aloe, especially those of Aloe ferox and hybrids. Aloe ferox (also known as cape aloe or bitter aloe) is renowned for its remarkable natural colon cleansing benefits. As an effective natural laxative and colon cleanser, it is probably the strongest of the colon stimulating herbs. Compared to the more widely known Aloe vera, Aloe ferox produces 20 times more bitter sap and has higher nutrient concentrations. Aloe is used mainly to make bitter aloes for laxative purposes and sometimes to treat arthritis and is being studied for use with IBS. Cape aloe is a bitter tasting herb that was once used by South African tribes as a purgative and laxative, they taught the use of the herb to the European settlers and by the mid-18th century the herb was being imported into Europe and used as a medicine.
The plant was traditionally gathered by cutting the fleshy leaves and hanging them over a large pot, the gel-like sap from the leaves dripped into the pot and was dried, upon drying the sap crystallised turning into resinous lumps which were then ground down to powder.
Aloes powder can be added to compresses and cold poultices to soothe
- burns
- scalds
- and sunburnt skin
- It can also be added to salves and creams for the skin where astringency is required.
Researchers are studying oral aloe as a type 2 diabetes treatment because of its ability to lower blood sugar. It also is used in lung cancer prevention and for soothing symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Numerous scientific studies on aloe gel are demonstrating its
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- wound healing
- immune modulating
- and anti-tumor activities
- as well as antiviral
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- and antiviral properties.
The aloe juice has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides while demonstrating anti-diabetic activity.