Aloe Vera -- Lilly of the Desert

I have to admit, when I began this project I sure didn't
realize how many different nutrients could help improve
our immune systems.

Of course I'd heard of aloe vera -- as a good treatment
for burns, wounds and other skin problems. It's also
a natural laxative.

But when I first saw it listed as an immune system, I
thought someone was being generous -- until I did
the research . . .

Aloe is originally from Africa, and has been used
for thousands of years to help heal wounds and burns.
That's why it's called the "Lilly of the Desert."

Aloe vera usually refers to aloe gel -- the clear gel
produced by cells in the center of the leaf. Diluted
aloe gel is commonly referred to as extract. The gel
is 99% water, and also contains mono- and polysaccharides.

These are more important than they sound, and we'll
get back to them.

Aloe juice is made from this gel.

Aloe gel also contains lignan, salicylic acid,
saponins, sterols, and triterpenoids. When it's
fresh aloe gel contains the proteolytic enzyme
carboxypeptidase, glutathione and several isozymes
of superoxide dismutase. Also vitamins A, C, E, B12,
thiamine, niacin and folic acid, and the minerals
sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese,
copper, zinc, chromium, and iron.

Part of aloe's ability to improve our immune systems
comes from at least 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol,
salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid,
phenols and sulphur. These kill or control mold, bacteria,
fungus and viruses.

Aloe contains at least 23 polypeptids, which are
immune stimulators.

Studies of mice in the early 1980s first verified that
extracts of aloe gel helped them defeat bacterial
infections.

Some researchers have pointed out that aloe vera
helps improve immune system functioning simply
by improving your digestion. This gets more
nutrition into your cells, including the cells
of your immune system.

Probably most important, however, are the
saccarides found in aloe vera. Aloe vera contains
a high level of mannan saccharides.

Mannan/mannose molecules are found throughout the major
signal pathways of our innate immune systems. Mannan
glycoproteins protect us by distinquishing between
Self and Non-Self. Ideally, our immune system protects
Self and destroys Non-Self. Glycoprotein mechanisms
detect the membrane signatures of infections, such as
the bird flu virus.

Some researchers say that mannans, including
glucomannans and galactomannans, found in
aloe vera, are as effective in
boosting the immune system as glucans.
Readers of my
book How to Protect
Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Bird Flu know
how highly I recommend beta glucans.)

The most prominent monosaccharide in aloe gel is
mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common
polysaccharides are called gluco-mannans (beta-(1,4)
acetylated mannan). These are long-chain sugars
containing glucose and mannose.

Aloe vera contains the greatest concentration
of acetylated polymannans, which is the most
active form of mannans. These long-chain complex
polysaccharides are often called beta-glucomannans,
mucopolysaccharides or Acemannan.

The mucopolysaccarides in aloe perform many key
functions, including strengthening immune system functioning.
However, after puberty we stop manufacturing mucopolysaccharides,
and therefore must obtain them from our diets.

They interject themselves into all cell membranes. This allows
nutrients to enter the cell more easily and toxins to flow out.

Among many other good things, mucopolysaccharides:

Makes cell walls more resistant to viruses and bacteria

Have anti-inflammatory properties (important for the deadly acute
phase of bird flu)

Help make white blood cells up to ten times more effective

Help modulate the immune (vital for someone in the acute phase
of bird flu)

Increase the production and release of antibodies -- and interferon, interleukins and others

Increase the cells in the spleen and the number of killer T-cells and their activity

Although some products have isolated some of the beta-glucamannas,
they work best in conjunction with all the other saccarides in
aloe gel.

You can obtain get high quality here:

Aloe Vera gel


References:

Ro J, Lee B, et al. Inhibitory mechanism of aloe single
component (Alprogen) on mediator release in guinea pig
lung mast cells activated with specific antigen-antibody
reactions. Pharmacology and Exper Therapeutics.
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Womble D, and Helderman. Enhancement of allo-resposiveness
of human lymphocytes by acemannan (Carrisyn). Int J
Immunopharmacol. 1988;10(8):967-974.

Peng S, Norman J, et al. Decreased mortality of
Norman murine sarcoma in mice treated with the
immunomodulator, acemannon. Mol Biother.
1991;3(2):79-87.

Hart L, Nibbering P, et al. Effects of low
molecular constituents from aloe vera gel
on oxidative metabolism and cytotoxic and
bactericidal activities of human neutrophils.
Int J Immunopharmacol. 1990;12(4):427-434.

Sydiskis R, Owen D, et al. Inactivation of
enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted
from plants. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
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Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1991 Dec;35(12):2463-6:
Inactivation of enveloped viruses by
anthraquinones extracted from plants.
Sydiskis RJ, Owen DG, Lohr JL, Rosler KH,
Blomster RN. Department of Microbiology,
University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.

Womble, D., and Helderman, J.H. Enhancement
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McDaniel, H.R., Ph.D., et al. CD4 and CD8
lymphocyte levels in Acetylmannans (ACM)-treated
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McDaniel, H.R., et al. An increase in circulating
monocyte/macrophages (MM) is induced by oral
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McDaniel, H.R., et al. Extended survival and
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Werbach, Melvyn R., M.D. and Murray, Michael
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Kahlon, J.B., et al. In vitro evaluation of
the synergistic antiviral effects of
Acetylmannans in combination with
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Ghannam, N. The antidiabetic activity of
aloes: Preliminary clinical and
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Sheets, M.S., et al. Studies of the effect of
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Grindley et al., Journal of
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