For more than 3,500 years, people have been harvesting the benefits of aloe Vera. There are many different types of  Aloe Vera, which mean 'True Aloe' in Latin, being the type that we will look at today. Aloe vera is actually from the same family, that of the Lily, as garlic and onion.

Since the first discovery of the many benefits of Aloe Vera, people have been using it in many different ways. To cleanse the blood, as skin treatment, as disinfectant, as remedy for disease, as sunscreen, gel for burns, moisturizer...the list goes on.

In every health food store these days, you can find aloe products. So much so that perhaps we tend to ignore it. Perhaps it's too good to be true?

Mike Adams of NewTarget.com is certainly in Camp Aloe. In an article on his website, he concludes, after much research, that aloe vera is "the most impressive herb of them all", garlic pulling up in second. Certainly, aloe has been used for a long enough time, there must be some truth in this claim. In fact, there is.

The power of aloe vera cannot be put down to any one ingredient. Thus, it's powers cannot be replicated in a laboratory. Aloe's benefits are due to it's unique combination of ingredients, including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars,  lignin, saponins, anthraquinones, sterols and salicylic acid.

To delve deeper into the mysterious world of the aloe, we will highlight some of it's many benefits.

The tongue twisting substances named as anthraquinones exist within the compound of the aloe. These substances, when taken as part of the plant (i.e. not to to be taken separately as a medicine) act as antibacterial and antifungal agents. Thus, aloe vera fights the ubiquitous evil that is excess candida.

Aloe vera fights inflammation, specifically in arthritis. Taken internally or externally, arthritis sufferers may experience pain relief within just two weeks of regular consumption of aloe vera.

Both the external application and the internal consumption of aloe vera works wonders for the skin. Compounds within aloe vera make it a moisturizing substance, whilst at the same time stimulates fibroblasts within human tissues. Fibroblasts are responsible for the production of collagen which strengthens new tissue formation.

Interestingly, one of aloe vera's benefits is it's ability to increase the positive affects of antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. This may be due to it's blood strengthening capabilities, which would mean that blood becomes a better transporter of vitamins and oxygen. The implications here are clear; no matter how great your diet is now, you will benefit from the inclusion of aloe vera in your diet.

Aloe vera boosts the immune system. For those of us who routinely come down with colds and flues at the drop of a hat, this benefit is right up there at the top. On the other end of the scale, it has been indicated that aloe vera may prevent and even cure terminal illnesses such as cancer and aids. The key here may be 'acemannan', a phytonutrient which aloe vera contains. Acemannan increases the production in cells of nitric oxide which is associated with the shrinking of tumors.

Aloe vera is widely available and if you live in a hot country, you may even consider growing your own. If you buy it, assure that it is almost 100% aloe and that it is not treated at high temperatures, which of course, destroys a lot of it's benefits.