Aloe Vera
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| Thu, 07-29-2004 - 12:13am |
Julie mentioned about reading that aloe vera juice would help control diabetes. That is not one of the uses for this plant that I knew about so I looked it up in Mosby's Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements, Second Edition. Here's what I found out:
Aloe is a succulent found throughout the world and originally from Africa. Used to topically treat minor burns, sunburn, cuts, bedsore, diabetic ulcers, acne and stomatitis. May be used to relieve radiation burns suffered by cancer patients and slow the development of wrinkles.
Investigational Uses
Researchers are experimenting with the use of the leaf gel (dried juice) taken internally for the treatment of diabetes.
Available in capsules: 75, 100, 200 mg extract or powder, cream gel, jelly, juice, shampoo and conditioner.
"Antidiabetic Action
Aloe gel acts as a thromboxane inhibitor (TXA2), promotes vasodilation, and maintaines homeostasis within the vascular endothelium. Studies have shown that aloe gel reduces blood glucose levels significantly within two weeks, but not normal levels." Page 32
It doesn't say what the recommended doseage is for the aloe. Most likely you can find the capsules in a health food store. But beware that there are not purity studies done on these items and they are not regulated by the FDA.
A tragic story with Aloe that ultimately had a good outcome: My father scratched his forehead with a pin from one of his masonic hats. He got it infected and some of his friends told him to go and get a piece of aloe vera and put in on his scratch. He went out into the yard and cut a piece and rubbed it on his forehead. The next day he was confused, running a high fever and had a huge black scab on his forehead. All his doctor's were out of town that weekend, of course. He had to be admitted to the hospital and had to have IV antibiotics. He got septicemia from the aloe vera and almost had to have skin grafts to his forehead.
What was the cause of this? Actually not the aloe vera, but rather the soil bacteria because he didn't wash off the piece of aloe vera before he rubbed it into his wound. He was in the hospital for the better part of two weeks and was quite ill. As my sister, the infection control nurse, would tell soap and water are a good thing!
Anyway I hope you find this interesting and thanks for bringing this up Julie.
Mary Frances
cl-maryfrances40
Co-CL Diabetes Board

Hey Cheryl,
So glad to see you here. I missed your witty posts. Hope your summer is going well and everyone is enjoying it.
Cheers,
Mary Frances
cl-maryfrances40
Co-CL Diabetes Board
Your dh's numbers are looking good!!!!