Aloe Vera in Sports and Fitness Training
Category: Organic Solutions
1. Getting Fit Naturally: Training, Health & Nutrition
To train at optimal levels for fitness an athlete needs to be in the best of health, physically and mentally. In the winter, particularly, it is vital to maintain an active immune system to help combat infections. Colds and influenza can spread quickly through a team training together, or staff working together.So whats Aloe Vera is in sports and fitness training?
Another vital factor in maintaining good health is optimum nutrition. The Aloe Vera drinking gels or capsules taken twice or three times per day (an ounce or two at a time) will help the body fight off viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Even if an athlete then does become infected, taking the Aloe Vera will help ensure that the unpleasant symptoms will be reduced and recovery times accelerated. The shorter the recovery time the less “condition” is lost: it is said that if an athlete has trained for six months to get really fit, this state will be reversed within just three weeks of ceasing training while practicing aloe vera in sports.
The major beneficial effects of all of our Aloe Vera is: detoxification of the body – with improved digestion, absorption & elimination; boosting of the immune system with increased resistance to infection and shorter recovery times; accelerated skin and deep tissue healing with greatly reduced scarring; increased energy levels and improved stamina, with better sleep and enhanced mood; a steady improvement in many chronic conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies and catarrh – and, in conjunction with the topical Aloe preparations (see Section 3 below), acute problems such as joint and ligament sprains & strains, torn muscles, bruising, lacerations, etc.
Aloe Vera Westcoast gel is the latest specialised drinking gel for cartilage problems and acute sports injuries, or for arthritis and other “wear and tear” conditions. This Gel is supplemented with Chondroitin, Glucosamine, MSM and extra Vitamin C – all well-documented as being of significant help in maintaining healthy joints under stress, in healing joint problems, and maybe even helping to grow new cartilage.
The topical Aloe Vera preparations should be used in conjunction with the drinking gels (especially Forever Freedom) for maximum effectiveness against strain and injury. It is now understood that, taken internally, Aloe Vera allows new cells to form in near-perfect conditions. All our cells are “turning over” every day, but at very different rates. Skin cells are replaced in about 30 days; the cells of major organs like the spleen, kidneys and liver turn over in about three to six months; the lungs take about a year; bone takes the longest – from one to seven years.
The FDA in the USA fully accepts the research findings that Aloe Vera enhances new cell growth: this attribute is clearly seen in the rapid healing of wounds, cuts, abrasions, and burns (including so-called “turf” burns caused by falling or skidding on the artificial surfaces of football pitches or tennis courts). They also confirm that wounds treated topically with Aloe Vera tend to heal without scarring, and without the production of “proud flesh” at the wound site. Aloe also protects wounds against infection (it is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal), which can otherwise be a major problem, significantly slowing down the healing rate.
Our bodies naturally produce HA (hyaluronic acid) while we are in our youth, but as our bodies age, the production slows down, causing our joints to suffer the consequences. Aloe Vera replenishes this natural lubricant, reviving your joints. Also contained in this new nutritional are Ginger Oil and Turmeric, two herbs that the Chinese have used to promote proper joint function. All this combines to make it one of the most powerful nutritional joint and skin moisturizing supplements on the market.
Prevention: Professional sports players and athletes always spend time on a thorough warm-up before they compete: you only have to watch a modern tennis game on television, a cricket player getting ready to bowl, or a team preparing to play football, and you will see them stretching, bending, running on the spot, and so forth. What you do not see is the preparation they have been through before appearing on the court or the pitch: anyone with known problems will have been under the hand of the team physiotherapist, having massage to the muscles under stress, possibly utilising heat creams and lotions to bring blood and warmth to the area. Equally importantly, after the event, they will go through the same process again: this time they may receive a full massage, with perhaps ultrasound treatment to any joints or muscle groups that suffered during the game, athletic event or training session. Now everyone can also drink Aloe Vera every day to have the benefit of all the legendary properties of Aloe Vera Gel, plus the added benefits provided by the joint-maintaining supplements.
It is at least as important for amateur sports players and athletes to warm up well, and to thoroughly prepare their muscles and joints for the competition ahead – or the practise run, or the gym circuit. This alone may prevent half the strains and injuries that are suffered in a match, in a training session, or in competition. This is especially true at the beginning of a new season, or after an enforced layoff, when the muscles and joints are particularly susceptible to strain or injury. Similarly, after a session, the athlete should follow a regime designed to repair any strains or soreness of the joints and muscles.
Aloe Vera Westcoast has a set of special products for external use: these are all based upon stabilised Aloe Vera gel in varying percentages, mixed with appropriate natural plant substances to enhance their specific use. The list below, summarises their usage in a variety of sports-related problems and conditions.
As you can see from the product list, there are topical Aloe preparations for use in sports-related problems: the Activator, the Cream and the Aloe Vera Gel. They all contain very high percentages of stabilised Aloe Vera Gel, and all except the Activator are mixed with other natural products to achieve the required effect.
Products for Topical Use
(Adapted from “Healing Winners” by Bill Coats & Spanky Stephens)
- Product: Aloe Activator – 99.6% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel (strained) or Aloe First spray
- Conditions: Acute – sprains, strains, bruising, cramp, swelling, soreness; painful joints, muscles or tendons; skin irritation or inflammation.
- Treatment: Soak gauze in Aloe Activator and wrap the area; pack with ice; top up with fresh Activator every hour or so. Mix Activator with Gelly on a gauze pad and freeze to make an excellent compress for sprained joints.
- Product: Aloe Cream – 75% stabilised Aloe Vera in cream base
- Conditions: Acute & Chronic – swelling, joint pain, sore muscles, tendonitis, bursitis, over-use injuries. Excellent general massage cream.
- Treatment: Use as a massage cream, with or without Ultrasound. Apply the Lotion liberally to affected areas, massaging well for 5 mins or so. Repeat at least 4 times per day
- Product: Aloe MSM Gel – 40% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel with Methyl-sulfonyl-methane
- Conditions: Acute & Chronic – swelling, joint pain, sore muscles, tendonitis, bursitis, over-use injuries. Can also help with pain and stiffness from old injuries.
- Treatment: Apply liberally to the affected area and massage well into the skin. Repeat at least three times per day.
Aloe Activator
The Activator is virtually pure Aloe Vera Gel with just tiny amounts of plant-based substances added for stabilisation, then filtered to remove the pulp. This clear solution is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent – it is a very effective broad-spectrum healant. In this very pure form, the Aloe is extremely penetrative: it is feasible to utilise this feature to carry additional healing agents through the skin. Note that where a spray would be more effective or easier to use, the Aloe First is an excellent alternative to Aloe Activator.
The Activator is virtually pure Aloe Vera Gel with just tiny amounts of plant-based substances added for stabilisation, then filtered to remove the pulp. This clear solution is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent – it is a very effective broad-spectrum healant. In this very pure form, the Aloe is extremely penetrative: it is feasible to utilise this feature to carry additional healing agents through the skin. Note that where a spray would be more effective or easier to use, the Aloe First is an excellent alternative to Aloe Activator.
Aloe Cream
Approximately 75% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel in a cream base, the Aloe Lotion is a first-rate massage cream. It can be used on its own, or – since it is a light cream, not an ointment, it can act as an ideal contact medium for Ultrasound treatment, Because of its high Aloe content it is effective on sore, over-used, muscles and joints, superficial or deep bruising, and general aches and pains.
Approximately 75% stabilised Aloe Vera Gel in a cream base, the Aloe Lotion is a first-rate massage cream. It can be used on its own, or – since it is a light cream, not an ointment, it can act as an ideal contact medium for Ultrasound treatment, Because of its high Aloe content it is effective on sore, over-used, muscles and joints, superficial or deep bruising, and general aches and pains.
Aloe Vera Gel
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), is an organic sulphur compound: in combination with our stabilised Aloe Vera Gel it is powerfully anti-inflammatory and an excellent conditioning and healing cream/gel for the skin. Sulphur is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, found in every cell, and the body uses MSM to create new healthy cells. MSM should be available in our food, but it is lost when washed, cooked or steamed. The Aloe Vera Gel can be used on its own where joints are inflamed and swollen, or muscles are strained and sore – in the short term it can give instant relief from acute pain, and in the long term it is excellent for relieving stiffness and soreness from chronic joint conditions or old injuries.
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), is an organic sulphur compound: in combination with our stabilised Aloe Vera Gel it is powerfully anti-inflammatory and an excellent conditioning and healing cream/gel for the skin. Sulphur is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, found in every cell, and the body uses MSM to create new healthy cells. MSM should be available in our food, but it is lost when washed, cooked or steamed. The Aloe Vera Gel can be used on its own where joints are inflamed and swollen, or muscles are strained and sore – in the short term it can give instant relief from acute pain, and in the long term it is excellent for relieving stiffness and soreness from chronic joint conditions or old injuries.
3. The Healing Properties of Aloe Vera Products
Application of the stabilised Aloe Vera, made up into the various lotions and creams described above, produces the following positive effects:
– Immediately soothing and comforting the skin
– Penetrating deeply without heat (except for the Heat Lotion)
– Promptly relieving pain, tightness and swelling in sprains, strains and bruises
– Rapidly reducing inflammation in muscles, tendons and joints
– Eliminating fungal infections such as Athletes Foot, and viral problems like cold sores
– Instantly relieving the pain of burns, grazes and abrasions of all kinds, including turf burns, and enhancing healing
– Immediately soothing and comforting the skin
– Penetrating deeply without heat (except for the Heat Lotion)
– Promptly relieving pain, tightness and swelling in sprains, strains and bruises
– Rapidly reducing inflammation in muscles, tendons and joints
– Eliminating fungal infections such as Athletes Foot, and viral problems like cold sores
– Instantly relieving the pain of burns, grazes and abrasions of all kinds, including turf burns, and enhancing healing
Healing Methods – Preparation
Before any of the topical Aloe products can be used, the skin or wound must be cleansed very thoroughly. This is especially important because of Aloe’s extremely penetrative quality: any “bugs” or contaminants remaining on the surface could be carried deep into the skin and cause a reaction. The area should be washed carefully with a cleansing solution, then all traces of the cleanser should be removed with fresh water. After this, a swab soaked in Aloe Activator can be wiped over the area to leave it ultra-clean and ready for the application of the appropriate lotion or gelly. If there is an open wound or graze, the area can be thoroughly sprayed with Aloe Activator to avoid too much painful direct contact.
Before any of the topical Aloe products can be used, the skin or wound must be cleansed very thoroughly. This is especially important because of Aloe’s extremely penetrative quality: any “bugs” or contaminants remaining on the surface could be carried deep into the skin and cause a reaction. The area should be washed carefully with a cleansing solution, then all traces of the cleanser should be removed with fresh water. After this, a swab soaked in Aloe Activator can be wiped over the area to leave it ultra-clean and ready for the application of the appropriate lotion or gelly. If there is an open wound or graze, the area can be thoroughly sprayed with Aloe Activator to avoid too much painful direct contact.
Healing Methods in Practise
The various Aloe Vera topical products can be used lavishly and frequently to expedite the healing process, unlike many proprietary creams and lotions, which can generate allergic reactions or local sensitivity if used too often.
Professional trainers have noted that healing of joint sprains, muscle strains, and skin wounds etc may be achieved in thirty to fifty percent less time when using the Aloe Vera products – this is very significant for any sports enthusiast or professional athlete.
The various Aloe Vera topical products can be used lavishly and frequently to expedite the healing process, unlike many proprietary creams and lotions, which can generate allergic reactions or local sensitivity if used too often.
Professional trainers have noted that healing of joint sprains, muscle strains, and skin wounds etc may be achieved in thirty to fifty percent less time when using the Aloe Vera products – this is very significant for any sports enthusiast or professional athlete.
Healing Joint Sprains
It is often beneficial to use several of the products in conjunction with each other to achieve the maximum effect: for example, in treating a sprained ankle, an excellent compress can be made by squeezing Aloe Vera drink on to a gauze pad, then soaking the whole thing with Aloe Activator before binding it over the damaged ankle. This treatment can be carried out on the pitch, and will bring great relief almost immediately. Once the patient is off the pitch, the trainer or physiotherapist can apply an ice-pack over the Aloe-soaked gauze padding. Additional Activator can be dripped onto the gauze at regular intervals – something the patient should continue doing at home. The drinking gel should be taken orally to get the fastest benefit from the unique complex of healing agents it contains, combined with the legendary healing properties of Aloe Vera.
It is often beneficial to use several of the products in conjunction with each other to achieve the maximum effect: for example, in treating a sprained ankle, an excellent compress can be made by squeezing Aloe Vera drink on to a gauze pad, then soaking the whole thing with Aloe Activator before binding it over the damaged ankle. This treatment can be carried out on the pitch, and will bring great relief almost immediately. Once the patient is off the pitch, the trainer or physiotherapist can apply an ice-pack over the Aloe-soaked gauze padding. Additional Activator can be dripped onto the gauze at regular intervals – something the patient should continue doing at home. The drinking gel should be taken orally to get the fastest benefit from the unique complex of healing agents it contains, combined with the legendary healing properties of Aloe Vera.
Making an Aloe Ice-Pack
Because of the stabilisation process, the Aloe Vera products can safely be frozen: so a simple ice-pack can be made by using the gauze pad as described above – simply place the pad in the freezer for ten to twenty minutes until frozen. The frozen pad can then be applied directly to the sprained joint or strained muscle. You can even make ice cubes from the Aloe Activator, then use them directly to massage a sprained joint or strained muscle to bring quick relief. 
Because of the stabilisation process, the Aloe Vera products can safely be frozen: so a simple ice-pack can be made by using the gauze pad as described above – simply place the pad in the freezer for ten to twenty minutes until frozen. The frozen pad can then be applied directly to the sprained joint or strained muscle. You can even make ice cubes from the Aloe Activator, then use them directly to massage a sprained joint or strained muscle to bring quick relief.
The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent a specific disease or class of diseases. You should consult your family physician if you are experiencing a medical problem.