School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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SERVING SIZE: 1 tsp SPECIES: Aloe A. vera FAMILY:
Xanthorrhoeaceae EAT IN: "Generally, it is ok to use the leaves of the actual aloe plant. You want to be careful to use the inner gel as the..." - Kimberly Kubicke,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISCleanse & DetoxifyThe 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 & DiabetesAs 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 TonicGot 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-InflammatoryAs 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.AntisepticAloe 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.ContraindicationsPeople 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 JUICEBUYING & PREPARATIONIt 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 Browse RecipesYou may dilute the bitter flavor with apple juice or sugar, however to maximize the benefits of the medicine savor the rarely encountered bitter taste. Learn about the health benefits of Aloe Vera Juice for FREE
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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Aloe Vera Juice Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICSWhat is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 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.Here are the herbal actions of Aloe Vera Juice: Digestion: Stimulant Laxative STIMULANT-LAXATIVEStimulant 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.Cleanse and Detox: Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Heart & Circulation: Alterative , ALTERATIVELiterally, an herb that restores the proper function of the body. In practice, alteratives are usually blood cleansers and blood chemistry balancers. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.Blood Thinner , BLOOD-THINNERHerbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.Vulnerary VULNERARYAn herb used for the treatment of wounds. Promotes healing of skin lesions and wounds/promotes cell growth and repairImmune System: Anti Inflammatory , ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Antibacterial , ANTIBACTERIALHerbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.Antifungal , ANTIFUNGALHerbs that destroy fungus.Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIALAn 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.Liver & Gall Bladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUECholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.Lung and Sinus: Soothes throat SOOTHES-THROATSoothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.Skin Care & Beauty: Refreshes skin , REFRESHES-SKINFlushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.Emollient , EMOLLIENTsoothes & softens the skinSkin Tonic SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Weight Loss: Hypolipidemic , HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vesselsLowers Blood Sugar LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGARAn herb that lowers blood sugar.Bowel-Poop-Elimination: General Laxative GENERAL-LAXATIVEPromotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.View Other Ingredients for SummerAloe Vera Juice is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Aloe Vera Juice'Do you like 'aloe vera juice'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'aloe vera juice'?
Very interesting. Is it not recommended to use gel from small houseplant leaves? I've got a plant that has leaves one inch thick. Thanks.
Very interesting. Is it not recommended to use gel from small houseplant leaves? I've got a plant that has leaves one inch thick. Thanks.
Generally, it is ok to use the leaves of the actual aloe plant. You want to be careful to use the inner gel as the outer gel closest to the leaf skin is a powerful purgative.
If using houseplant leaves, be sure they are organic and be careful not to use the gel against the edges of the leaves of the plant (it's usually more yellow in color) as it a powerful purgative.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Mind Stress Sleep Confusion / Cloudy MindDigestion Duodenal Ulcer, Gastritis, H pylori infection, Hyperacidity, Smelly Gas, Stomach Ulcer, Ulcerative ColitisSkin Fatty deposits/lipomaPoop Frothy Stool / with Bubbles, Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces, Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid, Stool thick mudBlood and Circulation High Blood Pressure, Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), Staph infection
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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