Aloe Vera - The Swiss Army Knife In the Garden
Aloe
Aloe vera has many medicinal properties. Scientists have discovered Nearly 200 chemical Compounds in Aloe vera. Much like our beloved cannabis plant the constituents of Aloe work to together like the entourage effect. They all work together to create health giving benefits to both humans and plants. The main active chemical constituents of Aloe vera are: amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, lignins, monosaccharide, polysaccharides, salicylic acid, saponins, and sterols.
Aloe Has many amino acids including
- isoleucine
- leucine
- lysine
- methionine
- phenylalanine
- threonine
- valine
- tryptophan
Some of the other non-essential amino acids found in Aloe vera include alanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, proline, serine, tyrosine, glutamine, and aspartic acid.
The most important anthraquinones are aloin and emodin. They are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and analgesic.
The main enzymes found in Aloe vera include Amylase (breaks down sugars and starches), Bradykinase (stimulates immune system, analgesic, anti-inflammatory), Catalase (prevents accumulation of water in the body), Cellulase (aids digestion - cellulose), Lipase (aids digestion - fats), Oxidase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Proteolytiase (hydrolyses proteins into their constituent elements), Creatine Phosphokinase (aids metabolism), and Carboxypeptidase.
It also contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12 along with choline, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and chromium
Additional minerals found in Aloe vera include copper , iron , potassium , phosphorus, and sodium.
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid which is an aspirin-like compound with anti -inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-bacterial properties. It has anti-pyretic properties for reducing fevers. Other constituents of Aloe vera would include prostaglandins, tannins, magnesium lactate, resins, mannins, proteins such as lectins, monosulfonic acid and gibberlin.
Aloe has Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is involved in local and systemic plant defense responses against pathogens Aka SARS. It plays a role during stresses such as drought, chilling, heavy metal toxicity, heat, and osmotic stress. SA can volatilize and warn neighboring plants of attack.
Another constituent of Aloe vera includes saponins. These are soapy substances from the gel that is capable of cleansing and having antiseptic properties. The saponins perform strongly as anti-microbial against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts. The plant sterols or phyto-steroids in Aloe vera include Cholesterol, Campesterol, Lupeol, and B (Beta sign) Sitosterol. The plant steroids have fatty acids in them that have antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties
The Hormones, vitimans, minerals and anti-microbial properties Helps get the seedling off to a good start!
The Hormones, vitimans, minerals and anti-microbial properties helps rooting to take place while protecting the cutting.
Aloe Is Great For small cuts and burns including sun burns, insect bites, dry skin, and so much more.
Here are some Resouces to look in to about the use of aloe for our own health.
The Silent Healer: A Modern Study of Aloe Vera https://amzn.to/3R4H4OA
Publications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12548256/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7607925/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9507902/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32183224/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aloe/art-20362267
Its relatively simple to grow aloe! Just keep in it in a well draining soil with a bit of compost for nutrients and don’t over water it. Really aloe only needs water every 2 - 4 weeks depending on the soil its in.
Aloe Pups
After Some time your aloe plant will produce “pups” that can expand your aloe plant inventory. Much like Cloning but the Plant did It its-self.
Now there is a lot of different aloe Species out there but I Like to grow and use aloe barbadensis
The Silent Healer: A Modern Study of Aloe Vera https://amzn.to/3R4H4OA
Aloe Vera: Nature’s Soothing Healer https://amzn.to/3AKEWGp
Aloe Vera A Short Review: Active Components with its properties. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
Acemannan https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25233608/
Salicylic acid
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7177609/
https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-017-0364-8
Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Saponin Isolated from Aloe vera for Wound Healing Activity https://asianjournalofchemistry.co.in/User/ViewFreeArticle.aspx?ArticleID=21_2_30
Amino Acids https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid
Entourage Effect https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324885/\