You probably know aloe as a gel to treat sunburns, and may also keep some on hand for minor scrapes and burns. You may not know that this member of the lily family has many nicknames, including: “The Mother Teresa of Greenery”, “Nature’s Miracle” and “The Silent Healer,” and was affectionately dubbed the "Plant of Immortality," by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago. The miraculous Aloe Vera leaf contains more than 200 compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, 12 vitamins, and two main types of enzymes: anti-inflammatory enzymes and digestive enzymes. Aloe Vera has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Now, new research shows that Aloe Vera can be used internally and topically, to treat dozens of ailments, from skin abrasions to arthritis.

Say Aloe to Nature’s Miracle Joint Healer

Alternative medicine has used the Aloe plant for many years to help with a variety of health issues. Here are some ways to use Aloe Vera for arthritis and joint pain, while rejuvenating and nourishing your whole body. 3 Ways Aloe Vera helps you win the battle against arthritis 1. Aloe Vera is a natural pain killer Aloe contains magnesium, lupeol and salicylic acid, which are all very effective analgesics, making Aloe Vera a natural pain killer. Since the key symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are painful, inflamed joints, the anti-inflammatory properties from the Aloe Vera plant can help reduce the sensitivity to pain. Apply Aloe Vera directly to painful joints to decrease swelling and increase mobility. Massaging aching knees or elbows with Aloe Vera gel is also found to be very helpful in maintaining healthy joints. You can also buy soothing products such as Natracure’s Mitts and Booties. They contain Aloe Vera and include a SmartGel® lining that is infused with 7 botanical oils and ceramides. 2. Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory You can also take Aloe Vera internally, as a drink or a supplement. According to Wikipedia, the key ingredient in Aloe Vera is “mucopolysaccharides.” That’s a mouthful to say, but it really means “long-chain carbohydrates.” These long-chain carbohydrates in Aloe have strong antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor properties. They are able to pass into the circulatory system without being digested by the enzyme systems in the human digestive tract. This means that the molecules are absorbed into the cells intact, where they fulfill their immune-supporting functions. An added benefit is that Aloe Vera juice coats the stomach. If you take large quantities of painkillers, they may cause gastrointestinal problems over time. Aloe Vera juice helps eliminate these side effects, while giving you anti-inflammatory nutrients. A Pub Med article says: “Oral Aloe Vera could be used in the treatment of chronic pain, particularly that caused by osteoarthritis (OA). It has utility as an anti-inflammatory agent and also as a prophylactic against the gastrointestinal irritant effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).” 3. Slow down aging and arthritis Studies have found that drinking Aloe Vera on a daily basis can prevent or slow down the progression of arthritis. The healing comes from Acemannan, a nutrient in pure Aloe Vera gel. We produce it naturally in our bodies until puberty, but then our production slows down. Acemannan enhances the production of synovial fluids, which lubricate the lining of your joints and tendons. Well lubricated joints prevent chronic conditions such as rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis. It’s important to know that Aloe Vera is not just made of one beneficial component, but has many vitamins, minerals and enzymes that work synergistically to help you stay well, and fight painful conditions including arthritis. Some people call Aloe Vera gel a miracle plant because it provides us with natural healing properties that cleanse our body of chemical toxins and eliminate wastes, cleaning our intestinal walls. This way we can absorb nutrients in our food better, and look and feel younger for longer. How to use Aloe Vera to treat arthritis You can buy ready-made Aloe Vera juices to drink, purchase capsules to take internally, or buy the packaged gel to apply. But a simple, inexpensive way to get Aloe Vera is to keep a plant in your kitchen or bathroom. Then you just break off a leaf to get the fresh pulp. Here are some ways to experience the benefits of this miracle plant. 1. Buy an Aloe Vera plant, or if you live in a hot, dry region you may be able to grow one outdoors. 2. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut a leaf off the plant. 3. Peel away the outer leaf to reveal the clear gel inside. Use your fingers to scrape the gel out of the plant, or cut off the end of the leaf and squeeze out the gel. 4. Spread the gel onto any areas of pain, applying as you would any other lotion. 5. Add the gel to a smoothie, or buy Aloe Vera juice to drink. Start with a small dose to see how you react, and work up to three times a day. The juice on its own has a slightly bitter taste, but in a smoothie it doesn’t have much flavor. Make sure to buy a pure, organic juice that doesn’t have fillers or other ingredients. 6. If you don’t like the taste of the juice, try taking Aloe Vera capsules with water two to three times a day, to help reduce joint swelling and pain from the inside.