Aloe News

Aloe Vera has been used medically for thousand of years. So, is it magic, is it myth, or is it a miracle plant that should be included in our medicines today ?

Lately, consumer demand and especially the alternative medical treatment endorsed by herb-enthusiast as a home remedy, has heightened the proof of its potential for healing. But we, as professionals, require recent scientific research to verify the plant's medicinal powers. So, one can ask is there a new potential for wound healing and disease control in Periodontics, the branch of dentistry that deals with gum disease? Aloe Vera has been shown to enhance defensive and it has a variety of components to help combat Periodontal Disease (gum disease). Some Aloe ingredients are antibacterial, other provide nutritional support, some increase the regenerative potential of tissues while others act with anaesthetic qualities and anti-inflammatory responses.

Its history of healing was first recorded in Egyptian medical writings in 1500 BC. Even Cleopatra was said to have pampered her skin with Aloe Gel. History reports that Alexander the Great captured the island of Socotra in the Red Sea, which had abundant Aloe Fields, to help heal the battle wounds of his troops. Aloe was applied to cuts, infections blisters, insect bites and used for internal maladies. In America, Aloe Vera has been growing in Florida and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for some 4000 years.

The initial credible research on Aloe Vera was done by Dr. C.E. Collins in 1934, where due to several case of Roentgen Dermatitis, the ulcerated skin lesions were treated with Aloe Vera leaves split and wrapped around the wounds. A remarkable improved rate of healing was observed. Some dermatologist began a series of comparable reports. In 1937, Dr. J.E. Crewe presented a wider use for the application of Aloe Vera in treating chronic ulcers, eczema, burns, sunburn, poison ivy, and minor injuries. His findings recorded complete healings and tissue regeneration without scarring. Many investigators were pursuing further Aloe Vera studies and in 1959, the FDA admitted that Aloe ointment actually did regenerate skin tissue.

A dental office had been seeking a product that would improve and accelerate healing, with less inflammation, have an anaesthetic capability and reduce the micro-organisms during the healing phase of the gum disease. In 1982, they were introduced to Forever Bright Toothgel and other Aloe Vera products from Forever Living Products with a promise of better healing and comfort to the patient. To their amazement, patients did respond positively.

The results showed that Aloe:

· enhances defensive mechanisms.

· is antibacterial and antiviral

· provides nutritional support

· increases the regenerative potential

· provides anaesthetic qualities

· has an anti-inflammatory response

This trial results showed remarkable healing, reduced oedema, and pain control. So far, no patient has experienced an allergic reaction or sensitive reaction to the use of these products.

Aloe Vera has an unlimited future in new applications and I sense in dentistry we are on the cutting edge of promising better utilization for anti-inflammatory procedures, antiviral and immunological benefits for out patients with Aloe Vera