Aloe Vera: Modern Science, Traditional Healing
The green skin and clear gel of the Aloe Vera plant contain a wide range of enzymes, amino acids, and trace elements which provide astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory benefits. In a study from 2004, Aloe gel was taken from plants grown in greenhouses at a university in Mexico, pasteurized, then applied to petri dishes containing three different growths of fungus. In all three cases, the pasteurized Aloe gel significantly inhibited the fungi’s ability to spread. This was the first time Aloe’s anti-fungal abilities had been officially studied.
More recently, scientists have isolated a novel protein present within the gel that clearly acts as an anti-fungal agent. The Aloe protein, known as 14 kDa, demonstrated potent suppressive activity on several strains of the Candida family, specifically C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. paraprilosis. In fact, the study goes on to recommend this Aloe protein as a basis for the development of further medicinal products.
Aloe’s ability to inhibit fungal growth is welcome news to those fighting stubborn yeast and fungal infections. It is an all-natural treatment with no known side effects, liberally laced with vitamins and nutrients which are easily taken up by the body. If a healthy Aloe vera plant isn’t available, most health food or whole foods stores have aloe products on their shelves. For external use, the list of ingredients should be limited to Aloe, distilled water, and perhaps tocopherol, a vitamin E derivative commonly used as a preservative. Avoid products with extra ingredients such as food coloring, lidocaine, alcohol, or chemical preservatives as these do nothing to promote healing.
- Suppositories of pure Aloe gel inserted into the vagina combat Candida, or yeast, infections, as well as nonspecific vaginitis.
- Use the gel topically for yeast infections that grow in skin folds, such as in the groin or under the breasts.
- Aloe gel relieves the pain and itching associated with athlete’s foot and jock itch, which are also classed as fungal infections.
- For dandruff that is caused by a fungus rather than dry skin, massaging Aloe gel into the scalp thirty minutes prior to shampooing is an excellent way to combat its spread.
- Ringworm is also a kind of fungus. Rub Aloe gel into infected areas, and surround them with a barrier of aloe to prevent it from spreading.
- For rectal itching caused by Candida overgrowth, Aloe gel relieves the itching and treats by inhibiting the yeast’s ability to grow.
- For dogs, Aloe gel rubbed into “hot spots” provides instant relief. be sure the product contains no extra chemicals or preservatives which might be ingested by the animal when it grooms.
Fungal infestations can be a symptom of a body that’s out of balance, or an immune system that’s been compromised. Most people don’t realize that their immune systems are located and maintained in the digestive tract. Aloe juice taken internally aids the digestive system in eliminating wastes and toxins, improves circulation, and is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins C and E. These activities provide gentle but effective immune system support. When a body has a healthy immune system, it’s less likely to let fungi make themselves at home!