Aloe vera juice has been used to treat successfully a multiplicity of human ailments for a least four thousand years. It contains over 200 ingredients, and seems to affect thousands of biomedical actions in the body. Many researchers have suggested Aloe vera is the most important treatment one could use to fight disease. The Aloe vera plant contains at least six antiseptic agents: lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamic acid, phenol, and sulfur. All of these substances are recognized antiseptics, explaining why Aloe vera has the ability to eliminate many internal and external infections. Lupeol, salicylic acid, along with another ingredient magnesium are all highly effective analgesics, which explains why Aloe vera is an effective pain killer. Aloe vera contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids (cholesterol, campesterol and B-sitosterol), explaining why Aloe vera is an effective treatment for burns, cuts, scrapes and abrasions, as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever and ulcers of all kinds, both internal and external. The presence of these fatty acids may explain why some experts feel Aloe is highly effective for many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system and other internal organs, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, kidney and pancreas. The presence of these fatty acids, especially B-sitosterol could explain how Aloe juice is a treatment effective for allergic reactions and acid indigestion, and why it helps, in association with a low fat diet, to lower harmful cholesterol levels. If the synergistic relationship between the elements found in the plant does not explain why Aloe vera works, then nothing does. It is this synergistic relationship that explains why through the ages lay persons and physicians alike have proclaimed that Aloe vera has the ability to heal, alleviate, eliminate, or even cure, a monumental list of human diseases and disorders, and therefore truly deserves the name "medicine plant." The Science of Aloe Hundreds of scientific papers describe the activities of Aloe vera, in proper strength, taken internally or applied externally. These include: * Cleanses naturally * Penetrates tissue * Fungicidal * Anti-inflammatory * Antipruritic (stops itching) * Nutritional (provides vitamins, minerals) * Dilates capillaries, opens circulation to area * Breaks down and digests dead tissue and pus * Enhances normal cell division, hastens healing * Moisturizes tissues * Antipyretic (reduces heat of sores) * Bactericidal (acts as strong antibiotic * Virucidal when in direct contact for long periods. * Anesthetizes tissue, relieves pain associated with joints and sore muscles Unlike most drugs, Aloe vera is extremely safe! Aloe Works from A to Z Specifically, we find that Aloe vera has been used effectively to treat medical problems in humans and animals. Here are a few examples of what Aloe vera does. A: Abrasions, abscesses, acid indigestion, acne, AIDS, allergic reactions, anemia, arterial insufficiency, arthritis and athlete's foot. B: Bad breath, baldness, bladder infections, blisters/blistering, bloody scours in calves, boils, bowel irregularity, bronchitis, bruises, burns and bursitis. C: Cancer, candida, canker sores, carbuncles, cataracts, chapped/chafed skin and lips, chemotherapy, colds, cold sores, colic, colitis, constipation, contusions, corneal ulcers, cradle cap, cuts and cystitis... Why Is Aloe Vera Testing Necessary? Aloe vera juice is one of the most adulterated health drinks on the market. Producers routinely dilute and add counterfeit chemicals, chemicals which are generally similar in molecular size to the natural elements of the juice, and which are designed to alter Standard test results. Dr. Ritter and The International Aloe Science Council are developing a combination of tests that will expose these fraudulent activities. Healthy Life Information Services intends to continue testing Aloe vera products. As long as manufacturers persist in adulterating their products, it will be necessary to make their activities public knowledge. Since it is believed the synergistic effect of the elements making up Aloe vera is responsible for its almost miraculous benefits to the body, and because of the fraudulent manufacturing practices mentioned above, the juice remains a very complicated substance to test for potency/adulteration. Therefore, the Methanol Precipitable Solids (MPS) test is considered to be the most valid developed thus far. How Does the MPS Test Work? Methanol is added to the juice, changing the solubility of the large molecules and causing a white precipitate containing polysaccharides to appear. These polysaccharides are a uniquely active substance found in all Aloe vera juices. While the polysaccharide molecule may not be the only ingredient responsible for the wonders of Aloe vera, if they are not present, the effectiveness of the juice is diminished or absent. The test is relatively simple to perform and gives a quantitative result, making it easy to assess the strength of the Aloe vera product undergoing testing.