There are many types of aloe, but in herbal medicine the most important is Aloe Vera or true aloe.  The history of Aloe Vera goes back several thousands of years;  the first written mention was made in Egypt round about 1,500 B.C., and Aloe Vera is also mentioned in the Bible.

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant belonging to the sub-family of Liliacaes.  It came originally from the African desert but nowadays it is cultivated in many parts of the world.  For hundreds of years the juice of its oblong leaves has been used for medical purposes in Afro-Arabic countries.  The juice has a characteristic smell and a very bitter taste; its active substances are aloin, polysaccharides, resin and bitter substances together with vitamins, mineral substances, enzymes and amino acids.

To produce it, the aloe juice is reduced and concentrated and then directly processed further into a preparation for internal and external application.  This has to be done very quickly because the valuable ingredients of Aloe Vera will oxidise rapidly if they come in contact with oxygen.

The main active substance in Aloe Vera is muccopolysaccharide acemannan, which supports the immune system because it is directly absorbed by the cell membranes and so protects the cells against viruses and other infective agents.

Aloe Vera also has detoxicant properties, mainly in the digestive system.  It helps suppress damaging yeast fungus, parasites, bacteria and viruses and thus detoxicates the intestines.

In natural medicine Aloe Vera has proved its value over thousands of years in remedying loss of energy, in strengthening the immune system and detoxicating the body.