“I am, by my very nature—an Optimist, my dear.”
The second character guffaws at him with a chiding reminder of his rather ominous occupation. “Aloe, you’re a Mortician.” He seems unabashed and continues to straighten the utensils on the bar. Upon further inspection of his chromed scalpel, a blemish causes him to squint and scrape at it intensely as he spoke.
“Understand, Thane, that it is my intimate association with the dead that makes me realize nothing is quite so certain and devoid when He appears. And afterwards, I’m sure there’s some negotiating to be had.”
“Oh yes. I’ve heard this. The glass is half full… of shit.”
“So crude.” Alowicious B. Earst doesn’t bother to glare as he looks up from his task. The man’s flat tone carried the same punch. “From one to another, then?” ***
His name was a pun. Developing the flare for this offset personality required a lot of rationalizing. Just as these things often do with time, details make up one of my very favorite tapestries of lore, mysticism and what a clinical researcher could do if he was a Savant. Obsessive and socially inept, wouldn’t his mind cycle?
Later, I learned the power in his namesake.
***
I do not think that anyone with access to a lotion or sun screen bottle isn’t familiar with this succulent of the Xanthorrhoeaceae Family. Not too long ago, Aloe vera juice was the wonder-cure of any gastronomical upset. Conflicting studies besmirched this biblical-touted remedy, but if only for the healing of radiation burns it remains one of the most well-known (and well studied!) herbal remedies in the modern American home.
Aloe vera is much more than a ‘vulnerary’ or ‘tissue-repairing’ plant. Yes, sunburns are readily associated with its’ healing power, as are most skin traumas. Modern herbalists refer to this action as a ‘cell-proliferant’ because, quite literally, it aids the production of new cells. Personally, I’ve nursed many-a-tanning-sessions-gone-too-far into a healthy glow with direct application of its’ expressed juice.
Demonstrations with H. pylori (the attributing bacterium to stomach ulcers) support the anti-bacterial accolades given to Aloe vera. Further discoveries (back in 1964) labeled it bacteriostatic after testing it with food-poisoning culprits, E.coli, Salmonella and Streptococcus. Viruses are not immune to the actions of Aloe vera, either, because of a constituent called “aloe emodin” inhibits viral function. Infections like these cause ‘heat’ within the body system (in a physiological and empirical sense) and any plant that is remedial to countering ‘heat’ is considered cooling to cold. Inflammation, also = ‘heat’ and it’s a natural conclusion that Aloe vera is also anti-inflammatory.
Immune function isn’t succinct. Inflammation caused by cellular damage, histamine and auto-immune reactions is problematic because (a) the source is often obscured, stemming from a wide variety of structural/functional malignancies and (b) the elimination mechanisms are also deficient to manage whatever it is causing the inflammation in the first place. Given that the immune system is indeed, systemic, support for all body systems—particularly elimination—is required on a regular basis. Aloe vera’s high quantity of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and immune-stimulating polysaccharides make it an excellent candidate for daily consumption for optimum immune function. [See Also: Chemical Constituents of Aloe Vera by Gertrude Baldwin]
The nutritional value in Aloe vera startled me. The term anti-oxidant is hastily used as something novel, however, ‘anti-oxidants’ are familiar vitamins and minerals (chelating agents as well) that are necessary for the body to dispose of cellular waste. A full spectrum of B Vitamins have been found in Aloe vera, as well as Vitamins A, C & E. Selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, chromium, copper, iron, phosphorus—all of these minerals craved by our digestive function come suspended in significant amounts of bioavailability. Poor absorption in the small intestine? Chronic vitamin/mineral deficiencies cause the intestinal walls to accept errant molecules and bind the useful ones still being supplied in the diet. No single vitamin and/or mineral is more important than another. Everything has to be offered or very little will be accepted in this sense of synergistic nutrition. And like a good neighbor… Aloe vera is there. Cup of sugar, dash of salt, maybe some additional calcium to help your bones grow strong...
Now the ambiguity of A. vera develops in which parts are utilized. The resins in Aloe are classified as a purgative and require some advisement in therapeutic application. However, the multitude of benefits derived from the "inner fillet" of the leaf include its immunostimulant & anti-pyretic actions and lack the concentration of purging properties.
Note: The next article won't be such a long time coming. Feedback in regards to this information, citations and even opinions would be greatly appreciated.
