Aloe Vera for your Teeth and Gums

Hi
We are increasingly aware that the health of our teeth and gums also has implications for our general health. I have problems with plaque and have bought an expensive Electric Toothbrush (Oral-B Triumph) which has really helped. I have also used Aloe Vera toothpaste but not long enough to test its efficacy. What I do however is when I've cut a section of AV leaf to treat a cut, sting, abrasion I use any spare leaf to rub along my gums. I also plan to rinse my mouth with commercial AV juice before I drink my daily dose. There is also an Aloe Vera spray which is used for throat infections, but I have no experience of this.

Farmers grow rich on blueberry boom

It is blue, bursting with goodness and might just be the future of British farming. The once humble blueberry is quickly becoming a cash crop as farmers gear up to meet soaring demand for the so-called 'superfood'.

Two years ago a clutch of almost breathlessly enthusiastic health studies revealed that the fruit was packed with so much goodness and vitamins that blueberries achieved almost mythic status among foodies and nutritionists. Once seen as little more than a perfunctory pie filling, the berry has become Britain's most fashionable fruit, with sales rocketing by 132 per cent since 2005.

That phenomenal increase in demand has led to a trebling of growers in the past two years, as blueberries have established themselves as a realistic commercial venture for farmers. Retail analyst AC Nielsen reports that, in the 12 months to May 2005, Britons spent £40m a year on the fruit. In the 12 months to May 2007, sales soared to £95m a year.

'In the last two years our sales have quadrupled and we have been talking to British farmers encouraging them to grow them,' said Tesco blueberry buyer Andrew Gaunt. 'Britain's love affair with blueberries has come as a direct result of health reports hailing them as one of the world's most beneficial superfoods.'

Experts say blueberries contain antioxidants that help the circulation, keep the heart healthy and make skin look youthful. Some nutritionists also believe that dark-coloured berries help protect against cancer, heart disease and even ageing. Supermarket buyers predict that blueberries could soon rival bananas and strawberries as the nation's favourite fruit. It helps that blueberries are versatile; apart from being eaten raw, they can be served up in a dessert, baked or turned into smoothies.

reference http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2147121,00.html

Aloe Vera for Shiny Hair

Open up a big fat lower leaf of one of your Aloe Vera plants and put that pure gel on your hair - wash it right in and in to your scalp. You will find that not only is your hair really clean but it is going to make it healthier and stronger. Not to mention that your hair will be quite shiny! Aloe also helps to promote hair growth too.
Must remember to do that again!

Applications Of Aloe Vera For Animals

A friend of mine fed one of my Aloe Vera plants to her very sick Tortoise and that cured him!

How AV can get Animals

· Immune System: Many animal diseases start from the immune system such as: asthma, rhinitis, hay fever, lupus and arthritis. Aloe Vera, when taken orally, has proven to be useful for these types of chronic conditions.

· Digestive System: Aloe Vera has been proven to be very helpful with inflammation in the digestive system. It is also good for such conditions as: oral ulcers, stomatitis, and gingivitis. The best for of administering Aloe for these types of conditions would be a gel or spray. Gel is also helpful for more serious conditions such as diarrhea and vomiting.

· Eye and Ear Problems: Mixed infections that are caused by bacteria, mites, yeasts foreign bodies and fungi are usually the culprit for causing the ear condition called otitis externa. Otitis externa is an infection that causes inflammation in both the vertical and horizontal canals of the ear.

Combining the Aloe Gelly, gel and Bee Propolis, can be very beneficial in the treatment of this condition. Be sure to have the vet look at it if you think there may be a foreign body in the ear.

· Burns and Wounds: Aloe Vera has been a great treatment method for burns and wounds for as long as we all can remember. Applying the gel from the plant directly to the burn or wound speeds healing time immensely.

Be sure to keep the burn or wound clean and moist with the aloe gel. It may be necessary to protect the area with a bandage but be sure to use caution when removing the bandage so as to not remove new cell growth.

· Skin Conditions: Aloe Vera is great for use on such skin conditions as: Abscesses, Fungal infections, Pyoderma, allergies as well as many different forms of dermatitis.

When using Aloe Vera for animals, the Aloe can be given orally or used topically by applying it directly to the skin. The aloe helps decrease inflammation and aids in removing the dead cells. These are just a few examples of the use of Aloe Vera for animals.

Quoted from http://aloeverabenefits.com/

Whoopee No 1 Aloe Vera Blog on Google

Hi
I typed in "Aloe Vera Blog" into Google and accidentally pressed "Get Lucky" and was astonished to go straight to this Blog!! Sometimes I'm first sometimes third when I Google, but I'll take third any day. I only take credit for this in the sense that we need to get more people to know about the natural benefits of Aloe Vera. Funny (or not) that so many people only trust products that come in a fancy packet!

Have you put your Aloe Vera Plants outside for the Summer?

Hi,
I've put my "jungle" of plants outside, but do remember that Aloe Vera plants can get sun-burnt if they are not used to the Sun (ironic when you think they can soothe human sunburn!). So try and choose a sheltered spot which doesn't get the full midday sun!

Aloe Vera in the Press

The Scotland on Sunday Newspaper
WE HAVE had so little sunshine this year that there is a real danger of overdoing it and getting burnt when the weather does finally improve. If you do find yourself with sunburn, aloe vera gel, which is extracted from the leaves of the plant from the lilacee family, relieves pain, reduces inflammation and rebuilds tissue.

Studies by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania radiology department have found that the juice of aloe vera, reputedly used by Cleopatra as a skin cleanser, is more effective in treating radiation burns than any other known product. The fat, rubbery green leaves of the plant produce a thick, clear, mucilaginous gel when cut. If you have an aloe plant at home you can simply break off a piece and apply the gel that oozes out directly on to the skin (Choose a lower Thicker Leaf).

Aloe vera can be taken internally to relieve an array of ailments. It cleanses, stimulates and soothes the digestive tract. It is a natural detoxifier and also helps to build up intestinal flora, so it can be a great aid in relieving irritable bowel syndrome and helping to get rid of worms and other parasites. It has also been used to get rid of rectal fissures and piles - for this it is best to use pure aloe vera gel, without added thickeners.

When using it to treat sunburn and damaged skin, try combining aloe vera juice with nettle extract, which relieves bites and stings, including nettle stings, when applied to the skin. It is soothing on burns and helps relieve heat rash.

Lavender oil is an excellent antiseptic, and restores the skin by stimulating the growth of healthy new cells. It has many healing properties and may be used to treat burns, bites and stings. It was the French chemist Gattafosse who first discovered lavender's wonderful healing properties, when he burnt his hand in his laboratory and plunged it into the nearest available liquid - a large jar of lavender essential oil. He was amazed at how quickly his skin healed.

Helichrysum oil is a non-toxic, non-irritant essential oil that is tolerated by even the most sensitive skins. As an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic oil, it gives relief to skin affected by burns and bruising.

Neal's Yard Remedies stocks an aloe vera cooling spray that contains all of the above ingredients. It is made from organic ingredients and comes in a 100ml plastic bottle - suitable to pack in your hand luggage when flying.

Bach's Rescue Remedy is also excellent for cooling sunburn, either diluted in water or added to a cream base and then smeared on the skin.

Gill Hames is at Neal's Yard Remedies, 102 Hanover Street, Edinburgh (0131 226 3223, www.nealsyardremedies.com)