ALOE VERA

The root word "Vera" is Latin for "true." So Aloe Vera would be the true Aloe plant. Actually there are over 200 plants in the Aloe family, but there is only one true Aloe. The true Aloe grows in a rosette configuration. Its leaves can grow up to 30 inches in length and up to 5 pounds in weight. The plant is actually subtropical and needs about 36 inches of water per year in order to produce the maximum amount of leaves. The plant can live for months without water because it utilizes the stored gel in the leaf as its source of energy. This stored gel is what is used to manufacture Life Plus' Aloe Vera Products.

EARLY ALOE VERA PROCESSING

For many years, manufacturers were discarding about 80% of the activity during processing. When we go back to how the Romans, Greeks, Mexicans and the Indians used the product, they would take the leaf and either break it or cut it open and use the thick mucilaginous gel that would run out or they would take the leaf and split it and tie the gel part down and apply to the skin. Even today, that is the world's best approach for many applications. Life Plus' Aloe Vera Products are manufactured using the whole leaf - a very important factor.

WHOLE LEAF PROCESS

In the middle to late 1970's, work had started to utilize the entire leaf, not losing the matrix gel discarded in earlier processing methodology. The new Whole Leaf Process captures all of the activity in the plant and then the unwanted substances such as Aloin (laxative) and Aloe-Emodin are removed. So this gives us the best of both worlds. A United States patent has been granted for this special process. The patent belongs to the formulator of Life Plus' Aloe Vera Products, Bill C. Coates, R.Ph., we note with pride, has been a leader in Aloe Vera efforts, and has authored several books in this area including Aloe Vera-The Inside Story-The Internal Uses of Aloe Vera (1995), Creatures In Our Care -The Veterinary Uses of Aloe Vera (1985, with Richard E. Holland, D.V.M.) and others.

ALOE VERA AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

The internal use of Aloe Vera is well documented. Major universities and research groups have published volumes of reports regarding internal applications. The findings of the continuing research are truly impressive.
As a Dietary Supplement, many individuals will find Aloe Vera to be of interest in maintaining normal healthy stomach lining, digestion, cell growth, and as a general overall tonic. Studies in animals suggest possible beneficial effects on maintenance of normal healthy function of the kidneys, heart muscle, clot formation, general cell growth and support of normal healthy cell proliferation, blood sugar levels, the immune system and even longevity. Findings relevant to humans will, of course, be followed with great interest, especially in research areas with potential applications to normal healthy energy levels and as an overall tonic. On the consumer level, Aloe Vera has become of wide-spread interest to athletes, sports participants and other highly active people interested in supporting and maintaining their overall activity levels.

Uña DE GATO AND SUMA

Uña de gato, also referred to as "Cats Claw," is a South American Peruvian Rainforest plant considered supportive of normal healthy immune function. It is also a great antioxidant. Suma, another Rainforest herb, is widely used as a general tonic and as an energy support herb. It is well known for its use by the Russian Olympic athletes. These herbs work synergistically with the Aloe for optimal benefit.