Unlike bacteria, viruses invade healthy living cells in order to reproduce, making them difficult to destroy without negative side effects. There are no medicines that safely kill viruses, but many drugs suppress symptoms by inhibiting viral reproduction. The body’s own immune system offers the best course of treatment. Aloe vera stimulates this natural response, thus proving effective against a variety of viruses including influenza, herpes, and HIV. Try taking aloe and immune system health will improve to help you fight many viral infections such as the ones listed above. is Unlike most drugs available, aloe is low-cost and has virtually no known risks or negative side effects. While it is not a cure, aloe can reduce the occurrence of viral symptoms and complications and potentially slow the spread of infection.
Aloe and Immune System Response
Aloe vera bolsters the body’s defenses at the cellular level, stimulating the immune system. Polysaccharides in aloe stimulate white blood cell activity and increase the number of T-helper cells. These cells coordinate the immune response, resulting in the production of antibodies and ridding the body of the infectious agent. Studies have also shown that an anthroquinine called emodin in Aloe Vera disables the functioning of certain including herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, pseudorabies virus, and influenza virus (1). Learn more about aloe and immune system health:
- HIV
Aloe polysaccharides administered orally have been shown to improve helper lymphocytes in AIDS patients and inhibit the reproduction of HIV. The result is the reduced occurrence of opportunistic infections and related HIV symptoms without any negative side-effects. While it is not a magic bullet, Aloe has shown to boost the beneficial effects of drugs used in conventional treatment, including AZT. In an early study using 100% Aloe Vera juice as a nutritional supplement for AIDS patients, most of the participants reported a decrease in symptoms within three to five days. The study concluded that Aloe Vera represents a promising non-toxic complementary therapy capable of “halting the progression of the HIV virus by boosting the immune system, decreasing the P24 core antigen activity and improving the overall quality of the patient’s life (2).”
- Herpes
The herpes virus lies dormant in the nervous system, becoming active when the immune system is stressed. Both Type 1 and 2 are extremely common, HSV-1 commonly manifesting as cold sores or fever blisters, while HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Current synthetic anti-viral drugs used to combat herpes fall short for a number of reasons. They do not prevent outbreaks, addressing only active infections, and have been associated with some serious side-effects and the development of resistant viral strains (3). As with HIV treatment, Aloe may also be used safely in conjunction with conventional drugs such as acylovir (the active ingredient in Valtrex, used to treat HSV-2). While more research is needed to test oral supplements, the topical use of Aloe gels and creams have proven effective in reducing symptoms. In addition to being painful, open sores are associated with an increased risk of HIV and other types of infection. Aloe heals sores and lesions, reducing the duration and severity of outbreaks.
- Influenza (more commonly known as the flu)
Don’t be intimidated by big name: “influenza” is just another word that refers to the flu. But the flu is a viral infection you want to take seriously and clear up as soon as possible, as your health is at risk if you do not treat it quickly and correctly. Because the flu can take 5-7 days to go away with medication–and even then some symptoms stick around up until 3 weeks later–you might want to try supplementing your prescription drugs with some aloe to help reduce those flu symptoms. Why? Aloe and immune system health go hand-in-hand. And a strong immune system is the best defense against a viral infection! To improve your recovery time you should also wash your hands regularly (the flu is contagious) and eat lots of fruits and vegetables that, like aloe, strengthen your immune system. Since many berries do wonders for your immune system, why not try blending up a smoothie with berries and aloe to get your immune system in tip-top shape and ready to fight that flu? Aloe pills can also be taken (even instead of flu medication if you want to go all natural!) to combat your flu symptoms, but be careful as you need to monitor your dosage when ingesting aloe vera.
Purchasing Aloe Vera
Used topically, aloe is most effective in its natural form, straight from the leaf of a mature aloe plant. Many commercially available creams and gels work well as long as Aloe is the principle ingredient, with a concentration of 95 percent or higher. There are a wide variety of oral supplements available including juices and gel capsules. Look for the least processed products with highest concentration of available. For more information and a list of high quality Aloe supplements, visit the International Aloe Science Council site.
Now that you know how aloe and immune system health are related, go forth and fight those viral infections!
(1) Sydiskis, R J. Inactivation of enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted from plants. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991 Dec; 35(12): 2463-2466.
(2) Pulse, T.L. A Significant Improvement in a Clinical Pilot Study Utilizing Nutritional Supplements, Essential Fatty Acids and Stabilized Aloe Vera Juice in 29 HIV Seropositive, ARC and Aids Patients. Journal of Advancement in Medicine. 1990 winter; 3(4)
(3) Zandi, Keivan. Antiviral activity of Aloe vera against herpes simplex virus type 2:an in vitro study. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2007 Aug; 6 (15): 1770-1773.
Trevor says
Super advice! I have been seeking something like this for a while now. Appreciation!
jordan says
acemannan is a derivative from aloe vera, its the ingredient you will want to look for to help raise your t4 count. acemannan is amazing! also, the fda approved aloe vera in 1994 to treat hiv.
Heather says
“Aloe & Immune System Health- Fighting
Viral Infection Naturally – We Love Aloe!” seriously makes myself think a little bit extra.
I really cherished each and every individual part of this post.
I appreciate it -Gudrun
eduful sampson fletcher says
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aloe health benefits says
When you wash your epidermis with a regular soap, you receive a clean face.
Utilizing natural aloe-vera for acne is one way for folks to do exactly that.
It might be best to rub the Coco Butter cream a few times a day and not having to
bother about when or that you will use it.
AMARA says
Alovera is more than good, since I started using Alovera, my turn around for good, I love Alovera
Elsa says
Thank you..your site really helped iam gonna go grab one.Your site have been useful
MARTINKALONGA says
ALOEVERA IS QUIET AMAZING,MENTION ANY DISEASE ALOE WILL DEAL WITH IT
mary friday says
How would I take the aloe Vera juice
Rohit jaiswal says
Hello i am rohit jaiswal my herpes test is positive its 1.20 Can this be treated with aloe vera juice by consuming it. Will it be dormat. After consuming aloe vera juice for months
Teboho says
I am a 31 year male from south Africa I wanted to know which aloe vera products that I can use to enhance my immune system if am hiv positive
Skillz says
Trader Joe’s sells an organic aloe Vera juice made from the pulp! It’s pretty damn great
Anna Vistica says
I am going to try aloe vera for platelets but I am concerned about the stimulation of wbcs does this mean the white blood cells decrease or increase with the use of aloe vera.
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André says
J’ai des plantes l’Aloe Vera dans mon jardin comment dois-je assister une personne déclaréé sero positive dans mon quartier?