Aloe Vera, known as the 'miracle plant' and the 'burns plant' has a history in alternative medicine over 3,000 years.  Cleopatra and Nefertiti, the Egyptian Queens famed throughout the ancient world for their outstanding beauty were reputed to have used Aloes in their health and beauty regimes.  Alexander the Great was said to have kept his wounded army on their feet using healing Aloe to fight infection, ease pain and heal wounds.

Aloe Vera may be effective when used on the skin against psoriasis, eczema, burns, frostbite, shingles and sores caused by the Herpes simplex virus.  Research has shown that, taken orally, aloe gel can help to lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol, and can help to lower blood glucose levels in people with type II diabetes. Source: Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Aloe Vera is more popular today than ever, cultivated by Forever in the Dominican Republic and Texas where it is grown for 3 to 4 years, hand-harvested and filleted to remove the inner leaf parenchyma known as 'Aloe Gel'.  The green outer rind contains the bitter aloes, used in 18th century Britain as a laxative tonic.  The outer leaf is discarded in Forever's patented harvesting process and only the precious inner leaf gel is used.  It is stabilised in the field so the Aloe is guaranteed to be as fresh as the day it is cut.

Aloe Gel is rich with over 75 ingredients which all work together synergistically to harmonise the body's systems and create balance.

Saponins
Cleansing, soapy, naturally antiseptic substances

Lignin
A harmless carrier believed to take topical products deep into the skin

Anthraquinones
Found in the sap, laxative aloe bitters.

Vitamins
Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, vitamin B and a rare trace of vitamin B12.

Minerals
Calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and Sodium.

Amino Acids
19 out of the 20 amino acids we require, seven being 'essential' amino acids.

Enzymes
Anti inflammatory and digestive enzymes, to aid the absorption of food.

Sugars
Monosaccharides and polysaccharides are to be found in Aloe, the most important of which being a long chain sugar called glucomannose or polymannose which is capable of affecting the immune system.

Plant Sterols
Three types providing anti-inflamatory effects.

There are over 300 types of Aloe plant world-wide, and not all have the same properties.  The specific Aloe Vera plant used for healing is the variety Aloe Barbadensis Miller.  While Aloe plants resemble cactus, they are in fact part of the Lily family, alongside asparagus and garlic.

For more information about Aloe Vera visit:

Royal Botanical Gardens Kew 

British Library