There are around 400 species of Aloe, but it is Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera or "true aloe") plant which has been of most use to mankind because of medicinal properties it displays. Ancient records show that benefits of Aloe Vera have been known for centuries, with its therapeutic advantages and healing properties surviving for over 4000 years. The earliest record of Aloe Vera is on a Sumerian tablet dating from 2100 BC.

Its antiquity was first discovered in 1862 in an Egyptian papyrus dated 1550 BC. It was used to great effect by Greek and Roman physicians. Researchers have found that both ancient Chinese and Indian used Aloe Vera. Egyptian Queens associated its use with their physical beauty, while in Phillipines it is used with milk for kidney infections. Aloes are referred to in Bible, and legend suggests that Alexander Great conquered island of Socotra in Indian Ocean to secure supplies of Aloes to treat battle wounds of his soldiers.

Aloe Vera remained a prominent herbal remedy but as Northern European countries expanded their colonisation of globe, Aloe Vera starts to fall from grace. It is not clear why this was so, but a possible explanation is difference between use of Aloe Vera in tropical climes, compared with temperate north. In tropical countries where Aloe grew naturally, there was an abundance of fresh Aloe. However, Aloe Vera had to be imported to temperate north, but inevitably degraded in transit. Physicians in Europe therefore never got to experience true benefits, and scorned reports of wonders that Aloe Vera could do for health. In consequence Aloe Vera never really "took hold" in knowledge of European Physicians, and "remarkable healing powers" were felt to be more myth than fact. As science developed Aloe Vera became discarded along with many stalwart herbal remedies of an earlier age considered to be “folk remedies”, not worthy of scientific examination.

Aloe Vera remained popular however in tropical areas, and after end of World War II interest was refreshed in Aloe Vera but main obstacle to it being used outside tropical areas was need to prevent gel deteriorating. Many attempts were made, but failed as excessive heat destroys essence of Aloe Vera, and higher than acceptable contents of Aloin remained which is a potent laxative. Indeed it was laxative powers of un-pure Aloe Vera gel that helped Aloe Vera maintain a toehold in Western medical science.

Although there are many Aloe's term Aloe Vera (“true Aloe”) refers to Aloe Barbadensis Miller. Fully grown plant stands 60 to 90 cm high, and a mature leaf is 7 to 10 cm across at base, weighing 1.5 to 2 kg. The Aloe leaf structure is made up of four layers: Rind - outer protective layer; Sap - a layer of bitter fluid which helps protect plant from animals; Mucilage Gel - inner part of leaf that is filleted out to make Aloe Vera gel.

Are cherries truly fruit for a healthy you? Recent studies have revealed that cherries offer an assortment of health benefits including ability to offer natural relief from joint pain caused from gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.

So what makes tasty red fruit so beneficial? The wonder of cherry is anthocyanins. According to research from Michigan State University tart cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which inhibit enzymes Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and prevent inflammation in body. These compounds have similar activity as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. Further investigations revealed that daily consumption of tart cherries has potential to reduce pain associated with joint inflammation. Many consumers are choosing to drink cherry juice, eat cherries or consume tart cherry pills to starve off pain of gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.