My mother has aloe vera plants at her house. Is it better to grow your own or buy over the counter aloe? Any specific brands?

I use aloe vera daily, I love it! Keeps my mild eczema at bay and it really does make skin all nice and soft. Can only recommend it!

Thanks OP, I didn't know aloe vera had ALL that stuff in it! S&F

i've only ever used it after getting sunburns, and boy did it help! But will try to use it more often now. Thanks for the info!

I keep an aloe plant in my kitchen, and boy I'm glad I do!

I burned my palm pretty bad two weekends ago. I got stupid and forgot the stovetop was hot. Yikes! Nearly 2nd degree burns!

After running my hand under cold water for a few minutes, I cut off a few chunks of my plant and squeezed the raw juice onto my burns. I wrapped my hand up in a clean dressing and put an ice pack on it.

I have no doubt that I might have had to go to the ER if it wasn't for the aloe. By the next morning the pain had significantly reduced, and what should have been blisters weren't.

If you cook, keep an aloe plant in the kitchen! Just make sure to throw it a bit of water whenever you can remember. It's like a cactus -- even a brown-thumbed male can grow one!

Just as I thought, those studies are highly suspect, and don't really say what the author of that article claims.
I don't even think he actually read the studies, just the titles.

One study said, "There are major caveats associated with all of these statements."

The "destroys cancer tumors" claim is the most laughable one. Most of the studies he links to only have the words tumor cells and aloe vera in the title. There's one study that shows a slight improvement, but it's only when it's used in conjunction with something that has already been shown to halt the growth of tumors. So it doesn't really halt the growth, it just helps another chemical halt the growth. Taking Aloe Vera on its own will not halt the growth of tumors. he sort of says it as a side note, but before that he greatly exaggerated the effects. And saying it "destroys cancer tumors," is a complete fabrication. It's only been shown to halt their spread, never an actual reduction.

Sigh, this is why I NEVER believe anything Natural News says. They are liars. End of story.

I have a huge aloe vera plant in my kitchen. As other posters have said, it's awesome for burn injuries.

I'm curious as to how I could use this plant internally. Juice it with something? The liquid inside the leaves is slimy and it kind of stinks, I cannot imagine eating it raw.

I buy organic Aloe Vera gel by the gallon, use it in a lot of products I make. Great for your skin...

I'm glad you posted this thread for many to read the awesomeness of Aloe Vera. But, I will continue to use my own supplier.....

Des

Originally posted by Ghost375
Just as I thought, those studies are highly suspect, and don't really say what the author of that article claims.
I don't even think he actually read the studies, just the titles.

One study said, "There are major caveats associated with all of these statements."

The "destroys cancer tumors" claim is the most laughable one. Most of the studies he links to only have the words tumor cells and aloe vera in the title. There's one study that shows a slight improvement, but it's only when it's used in conjunction with something that has already been shown to halt the growth of tumors. So it doesn't really halt the growth, it just helps another chemical halt the growth. Taking Aloe Vera on its own will not halt the growth of tumors. he sort of says it as a side note, but before that he greatly exaggerated the effects. And saying it "destroys cancer tumors," is a complete fabrication. It's only been shown to halt their spread, never an actual reduction.

Sigh, this is why I NEVER believe anything Natural News says. They are liars. End of story.

Here is what the Natural News article says:

Personally, I believe that anyone wishing to prevent or cure cancer should seriously investigate aloe vera as part of their recipe for eliminating cancer for life. I wouldn't rely solely on aloe vera, especially since there are dozens of cancer cures that are now well known in naturopathic medicine. Combining the right herbs (like cat's claw), superfoods (like spirulina), advanced therapies (like intravenous vitamin C), oxygen therapy and other modalities will give you the best results when battling any form of cancer. Work with a naturopathic physician to learn more.

It recommends using it as an adjunct to eliminating cancer.

As usual, you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Originally posted by FissionSurplus

Originally posted by Ghost375
Taking Aloe Vera on its own will not halt the growth of tumors. he sort of says it as a side note, but before that he greatly exaggerated the effects. And saying it "destroys cancer tumors," is a complete fabrication. It's only been shown to halt their spread, never an actual reduction.

Here is what the Natural News article says:

It recommends using it as an adjunct to eliminating cancer.

As usual, you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I clearly mention that, and I explain why it doesn't matter that he added a little side note. Everything he said before that point tried to paint it off as aloe vera is a cure for cancer. It's not recommending it as an adjunct. There's a paragraph about how it's a cure for cancer, then there's a side note, "you might not want to take it alone". He doesn't explain this. He completely leaves out the fact it's never been shown to eliminate cancer, alone or in even in conjunction with anything else.

The things he does mention aren't even things that was used in the study!!!!
intravenous vitamin C is a cure for cancer? c'mon.

The fact is melatonin was shown to lower the progression of a specific type of cancer, and taken with aloe vera, the effects were increased. he does NOT mention melatonin, which means taking aloe vera with the things he mentions won't do anything, at least there's no evidence for it. So his disclaimer isn't even an accurate disclaimer.

If you ever have to work with fiber glass and get itchy skin use aloe cream too...it really does work.

I had a really difficult time drinking g Aloe Vera juice. I forgot why someone recomendated it to me maybe overall health. Any suggestions? Is there flavored or tablets/gelcaps?

aloe vera is one of my essential, and i mean essential, medicinal plants!! i've been using it for years, i've known for a long time about it's healing properties vis a vis burns, but recently my friend's been using it on her daughters chapped lips and it's already working better than anything else!

the other essentials are organic coconut oil and manuka honey... between the three of them they can sooth and cure most minor ailments!

s and f for a great thread