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AYURVEDIC FOODS

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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1. Ayurvedic Perspective

2. Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions

3. Similar foods and herbs

4. Impact: On tongue, nerves, elimination, etc.

5. Indications / Benefits

6. Comments and reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Aloe Vera Juice / Gel: Pomegranate with Lime Juice & Aloe Vera

Commonly known for its ability to relieve a sunburn, aloe vera's appeal includes many other health benefits as well. The refreshing taste of Aloe vera is a soothing favorite when mixed with other fruit juices like honey dew melon or cucumber. As it decongests your lymphatic system, the cooling drink is an excellent way to help your body cleanse in the spring.

Cleanse & Detoxify

The main cleansing actions of Aloe come from its mild bitter taste, making it a cholagogue. That means it promotes the discharge of bile from the liver and gall bladder. As bile is an important carrier of firey blood toxins, purgation of bile is vital in order to eliminate pitta-aggravating impurities. Aloe vera gel is mildly laxative in nature, cleansing the bowels. It expels parasites. Drink one cup of aloe vera juice every day for two weeks for a cleansing effect on the body.

Lymphatic Congestion & Diabetes

As bile is a fatty substance, release of bile also tends to lower blood fat and cholesterol and improve fat metabolism. That reduces congestion in your lymphatic system. Aloe helps balance blood sugar levels, which is why aloe vera has been traditionally recommended for diabetes.

Skin Tonic

Got a minor kitchen burn? Tear a leaf off your household aloe plant, squeeze the clear gel out, and apply to the burn. Enjoyed a fun day at the beach? Aloe can soothe and cool your sunburn. Aloe is also renowned for its wound healing capabilities.

In Ayurveda, aloe is called 'Kumari,' meaning 'young girl,' a fitting term for this soothing plant that inspires the energy of youth to act on the bodily tissue systems. It balances all body types and especially rejuvenates the skin. Aloe's hydrating properties heal the skin from within, moisturizing topically but without the greasy feel of many lotions. It promotes the growth of collagen, maintaining elasticity of the skin, reducing scarring, stretch marks and signs of aging. Its collagen promoting abilities also help wounds heal faster.

Suffering from acne, scarring and redness of complexion? Aloe is an anti-inflammatory that reduces redness, and itchiness. While it moisturizes, aloe's bitter taste dries up greasiness, perfect for reducing acne in anyone with an oily complexion. The cooling and unctuous nature of aloe relieves the hot, dry symptoms of menopause and promotes healthy menstruation.

Anti-Inflammatory

As a cooling skin tonic, aloe effectively soothes inflammation of "intestinal skin" - the lining of the GI tract. It has been traditionally used to relieve hyperacidity, ulcers, ulcerative colitis and any bleeding from the intestines.

Recipes with Aloe Vera Juice / Gel: Cucumber & Coconut Cooler

Antiseptic

Aloe acts as an antiseptic and antifungal that has been used to reduce bleeding & inflammation of the gums, gingivitis, cracked/split corners of the mouth, denture stomatitis and apthous ulcers. Aloe's bitter-cool quality effectively treats fevers arising out of congestion and a Kapha-rich diet.

Contraindications

People with a Kapha constitution can benefit greatly from cleansing with aloe. However, for those who belong to the Vata-deficient category, frequent use of aloe can be contraindicative. Aloe powder and its yellow sap are strongly purgative in nature and should be avoided during pregnancy. In cases of emaciation, dehydration, diarrhea, breast cancer, intestinal obstruction, and during menstruation, aloe is best avoided.

About Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Aloe includes more than 250 species of flowering succulents and is native to Africa, Madagascar and Jordan. It is closely related to cactus, yucca and onion. For thousands of years and across many cultures, aloe has been used to heal a variety of health conditions including burns, skin irritations, wounds, etc. Egyptians used to refer to it as "the plant of immortality."

Buying & Preparation

Aloe vera gel and/or juice can be found at most health food stores. As preservatives are mixed into all commercial production aloe vera, check the ingredients to be sure the preservatives are as natural as possible. Aloe vera gel is far more potent than is the juice. Consuming one tablespoon of aloe vera gel is equivalent to drinking one cup of aloe juice. Also, the gel provides sustained action while the juice is short-term in its effect.

It is very simple to harvest fresh gel from your household aloe plant. When the leaves are 3-4 inches in width and roughly a foot in length, it is the perfect time to extract the gel from the plant. First select a leaf. Remove and wash it. Cut off two inches from the bottom of the leaf, so you have a flat surface to work with. Remove the thorns. Cut the green skin off beginning on the flat side of the leaf. Scoop out the gel and rinse it thoroughly. Now you can add it to your recipe. Take care that the yellow sap and the green skin are both removed entirely from the gel since they are highly purgative in nature.

Cooking Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

The tart-astringent flavor of aloe juice is not favored by everyone but add some crushed mint, a few drops of lime juice and a couple of tablespoons of simple syrup, and you have a refreshingly piquant midsummer day's treat! Or try aloe vera blended with honey dew melon to quickly cool your body. You can also blend 1/2 cup of aloe vera gel with 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of fresh berries for a bright summer berry smoothie.

You may dilute the bitter flavor with apple juice or sugar, however to maximize the benefits of the medicine savor the rarely encountered bitter taste.

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Is Aloe Vera Juice / Gel Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Aloe Vera Juice / Gel' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

SERVING SIZE: 2 tbsp

SPECIES: Aloe A. vera

FAMILY: Xanthorrhoeaceae

EAT IN: SUMMER

Metabolic Nature of Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT LIQUEFIED ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT BITTER ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded. Learn More	PACIFIES AGGRAVATES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Subtaste: Bland BLAND Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy. SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Bowel Poop Elimination, Cleanse And Detox, Skin Care SKIN-CARE Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc). SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Aloe Vera Juice / Gel Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition. Digestion: Appetite Suppressant APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain. SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS Bowel Health: General Laxative STRONG GENERAL-LAXATIVE Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives. SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Stimulant Laxative STIMULANT-LAXATIVE Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS Cleanse & Detox: Antilithic ANTILITHIC An herb that dissolves / breaks up stones (gallstones or kidney stones) so that it can be passed. SEE ALL 'ANTILITHIC' FOODS / HERBS , Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: Refreshes Skin REFRESHES-SKIN Flushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin. SEE ALL 'REFRESHES-SKIN' FOODS / HERBS , Demulcent DEMULCENT Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS , Emollient EMOLLIENT Soothes & softens the skin. Often a topical demulcent or oil. SEE ALL 'EMOLLIENT' FOODS / HERBS , Skin Tonic SKIN-TONIC An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion. SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Vulnerary VULNERARY An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic). SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Soothes Throat SOOTHES-THROAT Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat. SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS , Antibacterial ANTIBACTERIAL Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth. SEE ALL 'ANTIBACTERIAL' FOODS / HERBS , Antifungal ANTIFUNGAL Herbs that destroy fungus. SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS , Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIAL An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals. SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Alterative STRONG ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Blood Thinner BLOOD-THINNER Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS Liver & Gallbladder: Cholagogue STRONG CHOLAGOGUE Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines. SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Weight Loss: Hypolipidemic HYPOLIPIDEMIC Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells. SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS , Lowers Blood Sugar LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR An herb that lowers blood sugar. SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS Other: Anti Aging Constituents: Glutamine

Foods with a Similar Nature to Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antifungal, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic, Skin-tonic, Antibacterial, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Appetite-suppressant, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Stimulant-laxative, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Antibacterial, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Antifungal, Hypolipidemic, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Garlic (raw)

Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, General-laxative, Stimulant-laxative, Antibacterial, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Vulnerary, Antifungal, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE

Burdock Root (Gobo)

Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic, Vulnerary, Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Garlic

Garlic has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Cholagogue, Stimulant-laxative, Antimicrobial, General-laxative, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Chickweed

Chickweed has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Vulnerary, Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Emollient, Lowers-blood-sugar, Appetite-suppressant, General-laxative

LEARN MORE

Red Wine Vinegar

Red Wine Vinegar has these Actions in Common

Appetite-suppressant, General-laxative, Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Emollient, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

White Vinegar

White Vinegar has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Emollient, Lowers-blood-sugar, Appetite-suppressant

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antibacterial, Vulnerary, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Calendula, Marigold

Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Skin-tonic, Alterative, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Manjistha

Manjistha has these Actions in Common

Antilithic, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Skin-tonic, Vulnerary, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner

LEARN MORE

Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Cleavers

Cleavers has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Blood-thinner, Demulcent

LEARN MORE

Vidanga

Vidanga has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stimulant-laxative

LEARN MORE

Bhumyamalaki

Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, General-laxative, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Skin-tonic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Impact of Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.