Aloe arborescens and aloe vera are the most common and best-known kinds of the aloe plant that is otherwise known as sibr, or sabbar. There are over 300 classified varieties, growing wild in the desert, though they can also be cultivated in gardens and pots.
The succulent thorny green plant is known here as sabbar, deriving from the word sabr, meaning patience in Arabic for its capability to sustain drought and heat in the harsh climate of the desert.
The transparent gel-like sap (over 90 percent water) is used for remedial purposes. The resin, which is left to dry, is called sibr in Arabic. It comes in round solid reddish-brown hard patties, available in the herb and spice market.
Sibr was noted in the memoires of the British adventurer Sir Richard Burton on his celebrated pilgrimage to the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in 1853. The plant was often grown in Muslim graveyards. Its popularity comes from the fact that it requires minimum watering and sustains extreme heat and cold climates.
Travelers and camels crossing the desert quench their thirst and nourish their bodies with the life-saving aloe gel and its juice. It does not only replace water but also food due to its high nutritional value.
The succulent plant grows a tall majestic flowering stalk in its center during the winter season. The green thorny thick leaves, or branches, envelop a transparent viscous resin. The gel is valued in this part of the world for its potency and medicinal qualities.
Traditionally, sibr, the dark brown dried sap, is prescribed for diabetics to lower blood sugar levels. It is also applied to heal stubborn wounds, in its fresh or dried form. It is taken orally as a laxative to relieve constipation; cleanse the intestines; regulate bowel movement; and soothe digestive disorders. Dried aloe is diluted in water and taken on empty stomach to control elevated blood sugar levels and cleanse the digestive tract. It is believed in Hejaz, the Western region of Saudi Arabia, that oral overuse can cause damage to the liver in the elderly.
Wounds and cuts get washed with water and applied with the gel or the diluted dried cake to cleanse and speed healing. Sometimes, a little alum (shabba), or myrrh (murrah in Arabic) is added to stop profuse bleeding and to promote healing. It is also used to cool burns and enhance healing and recovery. Most sunburn gels contain aloe today.
Externally, the gel-like sap is applied to the hair to enhance growth and texture; increase shine; and minimize hair loss. Traditionally, it is mixed with henna (a natural hair coloring plant), garlic, and coconut and a little castor oil. The mixture should be left for some time on the hair. Warning: if your hair is white or blond, henna may give it a ginger red tinge. The mixture can be used without the henna. Most modern beauty products contain aloe; either to improve skin or hair conditions.
It is said that ancient Egyptians may have used aloe to embalm their mummies, which have lasted thousands of years. To protect her skin from the sun, the famous Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, applied the gel as sunscreen (coconut and sesame oils give the same effect). It was also applied to soothe and heal severe sunburns and burns. The ancient Egyptians used aloe to cleanse the digestive tract and detoxify the body. The Persians used it for its laxative effect, too.
The well-known Arab philosopher and physician Al-Kindi wrote about aloe’s anti-inflammatory properties in his medical encyclopedia. He recommended it for eye infections and orally for inflammatory and depressive conditions as well as for detoxification.
Modern science has revealed aloe’s secret of active, healing, and effective ingredients, supporting Al-Kindi’s theory. The plant contains polysaccharides and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that are healing and detoxifying. They are found in abundance in the water-soluble transparent resin of the thick thorny green leaf.
The aloe gel offers complex carbohydrate molecules (polysaccharides), which act as natural skin moisturizers. Its astringent and emollient effects help maintain a healthy skin. They also heal wounds, sunburns, bedsores, and burns; stimulate cell regeneration; and reduce inflammation and repair damaged tissues caused by radiation therapy. The components also eradicate warts without leaving scars.
Aloe’s antifungal effect makes it ideal for treating yeast infections when taken orally or applied directly on the skin or nails. It also has anti-viral properties. When taken internally as juice, it lowers cholesterol; promotes blood circulation in the lower parts of the body; relieves and coats stomach ulcers; aids in the process of elimination; and soothes hemorrhoids.
Dentists recommend aloe mouth rinse for dental, gum and oral surgeries and diseases. Aloe is also effective on insect bites and skin irritation or allergies.
In health stores, aloe is found in the forms of juice and supplement. Due to its healing virtues, aloe is found in the composition of many cosmetics, skin lotions, hair treatment products, toothpastes, gargles, and creams for sunburns, rashes and skin irritations.
Aloe may sometimes produce skin allergic reactions in certain people. If you are one of them, apply a small amount behind the ears or under the arm. Stop using it, should a rash appear or stinging sensation is felt. Pregnant women should not take aloe orally, due to its purgative effect that could trigger miscarriage or induce labor.
Aloe comes in over 300 species. In the Caribbean, Aloe vera and Aloe barbadensis are grown, while Socotrine aloe is grown in East Africa. In South Africa, Aloe Africana and Aloe ferox are known as Cape aloe. Aloe vera, Aloe perryi, and Aloe arborescens grow wildly in the deserts of Arabia as well as the island of Socotra. They can also be cultivated in gardens.
Because of its inherent virtues that help cure many illnesses and its potency and efficacy on illnesses, I felt Aloe arborescens deserves its own space.
I became acquainted with the plant’s benefits in combating diseases (even cancer) through traditional therapies and hearsay, but I needed scientific evidence in order to spread the word about this healing plant. With recent research supported by scientific evidence and facts, I can freely discuss its curative properties. So many of you have responded to Part 1 that I am eager to proceed with la pièce de résistance, Aloe arborescens.
Aloe arborescens belongs to the same family as the other varieties of aloe. The small plant has thorny thick green fronds, which yield a juicy gel-like colorless sap, resembling slippery ice-cubes, turning a reddish-brown after drying, called “sibr” in Arabic. It is said that the word “aloe” takes its origin from the Arabic language, even though none of its Arabic names resemble it. The plant is called sabbaar in Arabic, coming from the word “patience,” which has no connection with the word “aloe,” but Father Romano Zago in his book spoke of the connection. Maybe, expert herbalist Dr. Jaber Al-Qahtani can clarify this point for us further.
Sometime ago, I was exploring health books in the US, when I came across a book called “Cancer Can be Cured!” by Father Romano Zago. The title intrigued me, but what interested me even more was the picture of the aloe plant figured on the cover (a familiar sight!). I was also pleased that I finally found a book containing scientific evidence, research, and information on its medicinal effects on health. I needed tangible evidence. After reading the book, I became even more interested and excited to share with you Father Zago’s first-hand experience with cancer and aloe’s curative properties.
You must be wondering why should a priest like Father Zago, appointed to a remote village, deep in the Amazon jungle of Brazil, know or be interested in curing people. Isn’t this field supposed to be limited to medical doctors? Well, let me explain something. A priest is not only a man of the church, but he is also a man dedicated to his community and responsible for the wellbeing of his parishioners in many ways.
What does that mean? Well, he tends to their needs, schooling, and their health and alleviates their physical, mental, and emotional problems. He becomes part of their sadness and happiness. He is at their deathbed to relieve their pains, shares their joy, and guides them through life. That is how Father Zago became acquainted with aloe. It was because he saw many die prematurely of different diseases that he became their healer in different ways. Let us get back to Father Zago’s story and his healing potion.
Through years of experience with illness and death, Father Zago saw the effects and effectiveness of an old traditional “cure” on many terminally ill members of his parish and witnessed the results first hand. He saw how the bedridden and dying get on their feet again days later after taking the aloe preparation, regaining health and vitality and going back to the fields. When he saw their remission from cancer without the pain and agony of chemo and radiation therapies and without the surgeon’s knife, he decided to put his valuable experience on paper in his book “Cancer can be Cured!”
According to Father Zago, many types of cancer got cured with the use of the Aloe arborescens mixture. These ranged from digestive, hormonal, and glandular types to brain, liver, kidney, bone, and blood cancers. American and British scientific researches, studies, and clinical trials support these claims and findings (Google search ‘aloe’ to find more about the plant).
I found in these websites that Aloe arborescens and vera can help reverse and prevent cancer and AIDS, shrink tumors, control diabetes, treat gum disease, heal from autoimmune disorders, and lower cholesterol, i.e. it helps the body heal itself. Aloe has healing agents, which are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic. They work against canker and cold sores, burns, wounds, bruises, and corneal ulcers.
Their polysaccharides relieve most digestive problems including acid reflux. Their laxative effect comes from the phytocompound anthraquinone, (not recommended during pregnancy). According to a website, “Aloe arborescens is 200 percent richer in phytotherapeutic compounds than Aloe vera.” The Internet provides endless information about the plant, its varieties, and their effects.
With aloe treatment, one feels more energetic, develops a healthier appetite, and general wellness. The healing potency of the plant reduces cholesterol plaque, blood pressure, and inflammation; heals fungal and yeast infections (nails, feet) and Candida; regulates menstrual cycle; balances the body’s pH level; detoxifies the systems; enhances sexual ability and fertility; gets rid of dandruff; makes hair lush and shiny; prevents hair loss and dandruff; improves skin texture (eczema, psoriasis); and heals wounds, burns, and scars.
Other benefits of the aloe and honey mixture have been seen on acid reflux, stomach ulcers, digestion, bowl movement, and other gastric problems, intestinal and uterine polyps, autoimmune diseases (lupus, fibromyalgia), joint pains, and the sinuses.
This is just a quick overview on the healing powers of the preparation. Aloe directly applied or ingested has curative properties on gum disease, abscesses, acne, burns, hemorrhoids, insect stings, warts, and rashes.
The plant’s richness in enzymes, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and phytochemicals (over 200 nutrients) make it suitable to bolster the immune system, give energy, reduce inflammation, and most importantly help repair on the cellular level.
While neurological damages from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases cannot be reversed with the aloe mixture, quality of life of patients improves without leaving side effects. Because of aloe’s purgative characteristics, it should not be taken during pregnancy. Always consult your physician before using aloe or any other while on medical drugs.
According to Father Zago’s book, Aldo Facetti, a herbalist, said in an interview on TV Riviera that, “Aloe vera, or barbadensis, provides 40 percent of the active ingredients against cancer, while the arborescens variety provides 70 percent,” making it very potent.
I know from the numerous e-mails I receive that readers are eager to know the contents of the aloe formula created by Father Romano Zago of Brazil.
The mixture is basically made up of the aloe arborescens mature leaf, or frond, of a 5-year-old plant. The time of harvesting is important in order to protect the potency of the active phytocompounds and polysaccharides and to ensure the effectiveness of the formula.
The ingredients are:
• 350 grams of aloe arborescens mature leaf
• 500 grams of pure, raw, non-commercial honey
• 40 milliliters of organic apple vinegar
Mix the three ingredients in a blender and store the mixture in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator. The measurement of the ingredients need not be as accurate as listed above. Any discrepancy in the measurements of the honey will not affect the effectiveness or reduce the potency of the mixture.
To prepare, you should wipe the thick pulpy leaves from dust or soil with a dry cloth; remove the thorns on both edges of the leaf with a sharp knife; cut the leaf in chunks; and beat both green and pulp in the blender. Add the honey and vinegar and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture in a dark glass bottle. For more protection from light, wrap the bottle with aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for the 10-day course. Shake well before drinking.
For maximum effect, the mixture should be consumed on an empty stomach before meals, as undiluted gastric acids help the ingredients to be taken up by the bloodstream and transported to the body, brain and systems. Absorption of the components may become comprised when taken during or after meals, rendering it less effective.
A a preventative measure against cancer, 1 to 2 tablespoons should be taken before the three meals for 10 days a year. Two tablespoons should be taken three times daily for 10 days for treating cancer. A 10-day resting period is important. Repeat the course until the cancer goes into remission. After two or three courses of the aloe mixture, the patient should undergo medical tests by the treating physician to monitor his or her health condition.
Individuals with significant chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and others should consider refraining from eating red meat during the treatment, refined sugar carbohydrates, fatty fried foods, trans fats synthetic preservatives and additives. They should increase intake of whole fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy essential fatty acids high in Omega-3 instead.
The distillate is to preserve the mixture from perishing and also to act as a vasodilator (vessel dilator) in order to increase blood flow, speeding up the detoxifying action of the preparation. I suggest replacing the distillate with vinegar to preserve and enhance the absorption of aloe’s active ingredients like aloin.
The five-year aloe leaves, or fronds, should be harvested after sunset and before sunrise, as sunlight can destroy some of the plants important compounds. The leaves should be cut with care, because of their thorny edges. Time of harvesting should be respected with most medicinal herbs. Once cut in the dark, the leaves should be immediately wrapped in aluminum foil to protect its cancer-curing ingredients from the light. Because the aloe leaves are porous and absorbent, they should be picked at least one week after rainfall to maintain the plant’s effectiveness, as it is already 95 percent water.
The plant used for medicinal purposes should be grown away from contaminated water (sewers, pesticides), atmospheric pollutants (smoke, car exhaust) and toxic environments.
The honey should be of a superior quality and not heated, pasteurized, or commercial. Honey is important because of its bioavailability, active ingredients and richness in enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, and other nutrients, which fortify and detoxify on the cellular level.
According to Father Zago, honey increases the potency of the formula, because “It is a vehicle that carries the aloe,” cleansing impurities from the body and blood. In a previous article about cancer, I gave the formula of another effective blend, equal parts of honey, garlic, and Sativa nigella (habbah sowda). It must not be forgotten that honey was recommended in the Holy Qur’an for its curative benefits (Surat Al-Nahl, or the chapter entitled “The Bees”).
The aloe mixture is also effective when taken along with chemical and radiation therapies to reduce undesired side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. It gives energy and bolsters strength and immunity. The course can be repeated at intervals as needed. Aloe is not toxic, but it should be taken with the knowledge of the doctor.
Word of caution. Treatment should not be interrupted; otherwise the cancer will retaliate with greater intensity and aggressively, multiplying cancer cells rapidly. Unless remedy is resumed immediately, healing becomes quite unlikely and the disease terminal. However, no matter how terminal the cancer stage is, the mixture can mitigate the disease.
The preparation can be taken once a year as a maintenance dose. For prevention, it should be taken for ten days once or twice a year to cleanse the body and blood. The recipe heals on the cellular level by resetting the immune system and making it functional to fight disease.
The need to detoxify with natural cleansers is more stringent than ever because environmental pollution and physical and emotional stressors have increased and toxic chemicals and materials and heavy metals are found everywhere in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
The side effects of aloe are a few, but can occur. They range from frequent urination, dark urine, gas, and diarrhea to skin rash.
The dry form of aloe, sibr, found at traditional herbal stores, is extremely potent in the eradication of disease. Tiny amounts should be diluted in water and taken on an empty stomach. I heard of its effectiveness, first hand, from a woman who had breast cancer. A decade later, she is still alive.
There are other healing natural remedies for cancer and other diseases, such as mixing equal parts of garlic, nigella sativa (known in Arabic as “habba sawda”) and raw honey. Laetril, graviola, noni and mushrooms can also be taken along with chemotherapy to enhance its effectiveness and give energy.
Indeed, chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs are not necessarily the only healers of cancer. They can heal, but immunity is often boosted and the quality of life enhancedv when accompanied by alternative therapies.
Consult your treating doctor before making decisions concerning treatment.
