Aloe Vera

[Guest]

Can someone recommend aloe vera products (gels, etc), which do NOT contain any harmful ingredients? Many of the gels I have found either contain things I would rather avoid or no information at all.

[shelley]

If by gel you mean the aloe vera gel that you EAT, please don't take that. NOT good, way too strong a laxative.

If you mean the skin treatment type gel, I don't know what would be wrong with that.

[Guest]

Yes, I was referring to the skin treatment gel.

I have read wonderful testimonials but have been finding it hard to find an aloe vera gel free from toxins. I recently viewing the Forever Living site, and had them send me a few samples (none of which included an ingredient list), only to later find out that the gel contains Methylparaben: "...a preservative in cosmetics; can cause allergic reactions," and seemingly one of numerous "preservatives that deposit in the human system that disrupt normal enzyme activity."

So is there a safe-to-use aloe vera product, free from this garbage? I know that I should grow aloe vera plants, but I simply do not have the time or means to do so at this point in my life.

I hope someone can recommend an aloe vera product I can actually use without feeling guilty or riddled with fear!

[shelley]

All skin products have the potential to cause adverse reactions. ALL of them. Even the so-called "good" stuff. So the trick is not to worry about it. Try it if you want, avoid it if you don't, stop if you personally react - not everyone will. There are lots of other things you can use instead of aloe, depending on the purpose. For instance, for burned skin, you can use a solution of vinegar and water.

[Guest]

Not worrying would be a strange blessing, but I find it hard to stop myself from thinking!

I studied parabens earlier today, and discovered that these chemicals have been found accumulating in breast tumors. I would love to reap the benefits of aloe vera and/or propolis, but this kind of information (even if it is just theory) is off-putting to say the least!