The herb aloe has more than 300 species, but the best known of them all is the

'Aloe Vera'. It is a short, stemless succulent plant with thick and fleshy stems. For the purpose of healing, it's used both internally and externally. Chemical compounds such as lectins, acemannan, polysaccharides and anthraquinones along with vitamin C, amino acids, germanium etc., make aloe vera very useful in the maintaining and toning of dry skin, repairing of blood vessels, liver, stomach, and kidney, and treat various disorders like diverticulitis, ulcers, asthma, and heartburn. It also helps in healing cuts and wounds. Many researchers claim that it has the power to help cure HIV/AIDS. No wonder it is proving useful in the healing of cancer too. Aloe Vera and Cancer Corrosion causes damage to the genes. These adducts multiply themselves in a cell (mitosis) and possess the power to damage that cell permanently. They are not initially recognized by the immune system. Hence, they keep on dividing in each cell and the possibility of cancer increases. At the time of mitosis, the cells make the same adducts. This is how cancer cells are produced. Though all the cells, except the nerve cells from the central nervous system, need to get replaced, it becomes impossible for the healthy neighboring cells to grow. Once the cancer turns malignant, it conquers the whole body of the host. This ability makes cancer the most life-threatening disease of them all. However, early detection of the disease combined with proper nourishment of the patient will help the person overcome the condition. This nourishment is done by growing the cells in a controlled body environment. This is termed as 'tissue culture'. Cancer treatment therapy, called 'Chemotherapy', entails a close examination of the cells. If found infected, they are killed immediately. Aloe vera is proven to be useful in the treatment of cancer patients, for whom chemotherapy doesn't work. As aloe vera contains a little amount of the cancer-healing substance, it works its magic when used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Also said to have a good effect on the blood, aloe vera helps the absorption of vitamin-C and antioxidants, that's why it is speculated that it will increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer herbs. How does it Help During Chemo? The question frequently asked is does chemo really cure the patient of cancer? The answer often is Yes! However, at what price does the tumor vanish, doesn't the health and spirit of the patient itself also seem to vanish. So are we really treating the patient or are we treating just the tumor? More often than not it's the latter. Chemotherapy can't differentiate between the damaged and the healthy cells. So, healing from cancer as well as the chemotherapy, both become essential. The radiation from chemotherapy are sometimes too toxic for patients to survive. Aloe vera works as a soothing agent in patients undergoing the therapy. That's why alternative therapies always act as support medicines to enable the patient live through the rigorous chemotherapy sessions. Effects on the Immune System The presence of cancer according to some people suggests a weak immune system, because it is not able to react to the new growth of cells that it should ideally perceive as a threat due to their un-natural

foreign nature. Hence, aloe vera works on the immune system in great degrees making it stronger so that it can eat away the cancerous cells. The unique mixture of aloe vera in aloeride works as the best cancer suppressor. It prevents cancer by suppressing the tumor causing cells. The aloeride is made up of aloe barbarensis miller, that has the same medical characteristics as the Aloe vera plant. Besides enriching the immune system aloe vera is also a great detoxifier. The acemannan present in it promotes the production of lymphocytes and helper cells which prevent the infection from spreading to the healthy cells. Aloe vera slows down the growth of cancerous tumors, as it contains lectins and emodines, which are two tumor resistant chemicals. It actually checks the growth of malignant tumors and also provides a soothing effect in patients suffering from skin cancer. Availability Aloe vera is not always used in its direct form, but also in the various forms available in the market, such as - gels, capsules, creams, and drinks (the most popular being filleting the flesh, removing the skin, and then blending the pulp to make it drinkable). All these products are chemically tested and certainly prove beneficial for the treatment of cancer. Though, aloe vera gels and creams are most popular. Aloe Vera Juice A regular intake of aloe vera juice helps to prevent the production of cancer cells in the body. For patients already suffering from cancer, it soothes intoxication caused by radiotherapy. Aloe vera juice has proved helpful in healing many types of cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and blood cancer (leukemia). Besides that it also helps the digestive tract function normally, which is a very important part of the human body and is responsible for a major portion of medical conditions that people experience. Basically, aloe vera proves useful in healing the side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Being a great anti-inflammatory it could indirectly help our body experience less stress while the anticancer treatment is underway, which as mentioned earlier is one of the greatest ordeals that is faced by a patient with cancer. Aloe Vera Creams These creams are odorless and are best used to reduce the itchiness of the skin in psoriasis (a type of skin cancer). It also protects the skin from the damage caused by the exposure of the skin to the ultraviolet rays, that are very harmful for cancer patients. What we must understand though, is the amount of aloe vera extract that should be used. Aloe vera, though clinically tested, does contain a few substances that do not agree with a few people resulting in a few serious side effects like hepatitis, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, problems in blood clotting, thyroid problems and so on. You need to remember that aloe vera acts best as a supporting medicine and not as the sole cure for cancer. In conjunction with the proper treatment of cancer, it helps the body to receive the treatment better and improve on its effectiveness. However, you need to first check with your physician before starting out on an aloe vera supplement