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Aloe Vera As A Healing Agent

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Aloe Vera gel has been used for centuries for many different purposes. The first recorded use of Aloe Vera was with Egyptians, Assyrians, Mediterranean civilizations and during Biblical times. Ancient tablets dating from hundred of years ago contains records of the use of Aloe Vera as a healing agent. The first detailed record of its advantages were found in an Egyptian document. The plant is also described in book called the “Greek Herbal of Dioscorides” (NIH).
Each culture and country use the plant for a variety of purposes. Indians use it as a medicine for constipation, skin diseases, and infections. In countries like Trinidad and Tobago, it used to treat hypertension and Mexicans use it to the treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. The gel …show more content…

More than 75 active constituents have been identified in it portion, they include vitamins, minerals, sugars, proteins, enzymes, and acids. The leaf exudate contains important laxatives like anthraquinones and barbaloins which are accountable for its bitter taste. “Barbaloin and other products of the phenylpropanoid pathway are commonly referred to as polyphenolic compounds. These are derived from the precursor phenolic acids, and they may act as antioxidants to inhibit free radical. Aloe Vera also contains products of the isoprenoid pathway, including carotenoids, steroids, terpenes, and phytosterols Isoprenoids can be regarded as sensory molecules because they contribute to the color and fragrance of the products in which they exist” (NIH).
The molecules barbaloin and isobarbaloin undergo decomposition in the large intestine to form the active metabolites aloe-emodin-9-anthrone and aloe-emodin which induce laxation through multiple mechanisms. They prevent water from leaving the intestines so we end up having more water in our stool. This makes our stool much softer, and that what makes it a good laxative. This why the gel is used to relieve constipation.
As mentioned earlier, the gel can also be used for wound healing and inflammations. It contains a lot of polysaccharides that have been shown to regulate immune function and speed wound healing by activating a pathway in the body.
The gel also contains

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