Natural Paths
December 7th, 2009
Herb of the Week
Aloe Vera - Aloe ssp. 
Greetings!
Aloe Vera is essentially a "medicine chest" in a thick, juicy leaf. The clear, viscous gel inside of the spiked leaves of this plant is used all over the world to heal many disorders and injuries. A premier herb for application to burns of all kinds, aloe vera gel can be used on most (always cautious with cats) species of animals and on humans and is taken internally as well for: Ulcers, Colitis, Hiatal Hernia, Indigestion, Anemia and Constipation.
 
Aloe Vera gel contains salicylic acid that acts as a numbing, pain relieving agent for cuts and burns, topically. It contains a glycoside that helps detox the digestive tract and the blood. Uronic acids help clear toxins from skin irritations and eruptions.
 
For people and small animals, the gel can be used from the plant itself (the leaf is split and the gel scraped out), from gelcaps or bottled juice or gel from the health food store. The gel or liquid is applied full strength to wounds and the skin; taken according to directions for a person or divided in half for a dog (thirds for small dogs).
 
For horses, I use Aloe Vera juice (from the market, organic, in gallon bottles), dosing it by the ounce (30cc's) from a catheter syringe up to 4 times daily. Externally, I like the pure gel in dark glass bottles from the health food store. I even use this (100% aloe vera gel or juice - NO preservatives or additives!) as an eyewash for irritations and infections in horses. Consult with your health care practitioner on any issues involving the eyes.
 
I use Aloe for ulcers, colic and mouth sores in horses. It is also helpful with cases of Laminitis, dosed with pure Noni Juice (one ounce of each) up to 6 times daily. Aloe juice can be combined with Papaya juice for ulcers. Many horses show irritability, frequent colic, are hard to girth up, mount or dismount and even chew objects or dig holes because of ulcers.
 
Add Aloe Vera juice to skin conditioners, hair conditioners, wound washes and hoof dressings. You can even just put it in a sprayer and use on the coat, mane, tail and hooves.
 
The FDA has not approved these statements. We provide this newsletter for information only.
 
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Katharine Chrisley [email protected]
Jerry Crenshaw [email protected]
Natural Paths
P O Box 1882
Mesilla Park, New Mexico 88047