Research and healing properties of Aloe Vera – the story of Father Roman Zaga

Aloe vera has been known for millennia as a “miracle plant,” so highly regarded that ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used it for skin care, wound healing, and general immunity boosting. Over time, this “green treasure” has been increasingly researched in official medicine, and the 20th century has brought numerous new evidence of its medicinal properties. Thanks to scientists, biologists, and doctors around the world, we now know that Aloe vera contains complex compounds that can positively affect the skin, immune system, and general health.

It was precisely research from the middle and second half of the last century that confirmed that aloe gel contains polysaccharides, enzymes, vitamins and minerals that contribute to the regeneration of skin cells, improve hydration and, to a certain extent, can have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this article, we provide an insight into the scientific knowledge related to Aloe vera, introduce key people who have dedicated their lives to its study, and we will especially highlight the work and experiences of Father Roman Zaga – a man who, with religious fervor, but also scientific curiosity, expanded knowledge about the miraculous “Aloe Vera drink.”

Learn how researchers like Ivan Danhof, the Japanese scientist Fujita, and the team at Carrington Laboratory in Texas have explained the powerful effects of Aloe vera enzymes on inflammation and pain. There is also the exceptional contribution of researchers like Bill McAnalley, who discovered the molecule acemanan (which he called “carysin”), responsible for the unique immunomodulatory properties of aloe. Through the story of Father Roman Zaga, you will also discover how traditional knowledge from Brazil intertwined with that of Israel, and how the famous aloe, honey, and alcohol drink was created, for which there are numerous anecdotal stories of health benefits.

Aloe Vera Research – Historical Overview

Although Aloe vera has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years, it was not until the 20th century that intensive scientific research into its bioactive components began. The first significant works focused on observing the speed of wound healing and aloe’s ability to soothe burns. Later, scientists began to delve deeper into the active substances in the plant’s leaves.

In 1984 , more extensive tests on the effect of aloe vera on the skin began. Research has confirmed that the application of the gel (also known as “aloin gel”) accelerates tissue regeneration, enhancing the formation of proteins, especially collagen, necessary for healthy and firm skin. This ability to slow down aging and “iron out” wrinkles was just one of the reasons why aloe has awakened a huge interest in the cosmetics industry.

Hydrating power and anti-inflammatory properties

Physiologist Ivan Danhof has provided scientific support for claims of increased skin hydration . His work has shown the presence of polysaccharides in aloe vera that easily penetrate the cells of the stratum corneum, allowing the skin to retain moisture longer and regenerate better.

Around the same time, Japanese scientist Fujita discovered that a compound called bradykinase, along with salicylic acid, contributed to the anti-inflammatory effect. His research confirmed that aloe vera could relieve pain and help fight fever.

As awareness of aloe’s anti-inflammatory properties slowly grew, scientists began to wonder if aloe might have a broader impact on the human body, beyond just the surface of the skin. This is where the discovery of acemanan comes into play.

Discovery of acemannan (carisin) and immune support

In 1985, Canadian researchers, together with Bill McAnalley of the Carrington Laboratory in Texas, discovered the polysaccharide molecule acemanan . It is a complex sugar (mucopolysaccharide) whose potential benefits on the immune system have attracted much attention. McAnalley used the name “carysin” for acemanan and concluded that this compound has a strong hydrating ability and immunomodulatory effects.

By adding antimicrobial ingredients to aloe vera gel, researchers have observed that acemannan can become an even stronger immune system supporter . Testing has also included people with AIDS, where aloe vera has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and increase the body’s resistance to harmful therapeutic influences. As experts emphasize, this is not a “miracle cure” for the virus, but a potentially useful support for classic medical treatments.

Thanks to the innovative work of the Carrington laboratory, new possibilities for the application of aloe have opened up in other fields, such as veterinary medicine, dermatology and dentistry. Moreover, patents related to further research have been filed, which has further accelerated the commercialization of aloe vera on a global scale.

Read more about the history and use of aloe vera in antiquity and the Middle Ages in the article:
The history of Aloe vera in the Middle Ages and Antiquity .

Father Romano Zaga – a life dedicated to Aloe Vera

Father Romano Zaga was born in 1932 in Brazil, in the small town of Progresso. He comes from a family of immigrants who found a new life in Brazil. At the age of ten, he entered the seminary of St. Francis of Assisi in Taquara, and at twenty, he decided to join the Franciscan order and studied philosophy in depth at the monastery of St. Bonaventure in Daltro Filho.

After completing his theology studies in Mato Grosso, he was ordained a priest and became a professor at the monastery in the city of Taquari. The experiences and knowledge he gained while serving in several Brazilian monasteries shaped him not only as a theologian but also as a naturalist – a man fascinated by the plant world, especially aloe vera.

Although aloe vera is widespread in Brazil, Roman has this “home remedy” etched in his memory from his earliest childhood, when aloe was used to care for his hair and heal wounds on his bare feet. But the real turning point came in 1991, when he was invited to the Holy Land, to a Franciscan monastery from the late 14th century. As a pilgrim guide, professor of philosophy and Latin, Father Zaga broadens his horizons, while at the same time gaining new knowledge about the extremely widespread aloe vera in Israel.

During this period, he developed his famous drink based on aloe, honey and alcohol , which he gladly shared with pilgrims – Jews, Muslims and Christians – as a sign of attention and gratitude. Due to contact with people of different cultures, the word about the beneficial effects of this formula quickly spread around the world. Soon the drink also made it to the magazine “Sveta zemlja”, which made the story of Father Roman Zaga even more famous.

Aloe Vera Recipe by Father Roman Zaga

Father Zaga published in his works, among other things, a recipe for preparing aloe gel – a special drink – which can be described as a simple combination of Aloe vera, honey and some strong drink (alcohol). Although the ingredients and proportions may vary slightly, here is the basic version:

• 350 grams of aloe vera leaves (plant at least five years old)
• 500 grams of pure honey (natural, unprocessed)
• a small amount of alcohol (brandy, cognac, whiskey or similar; average strength)

Key instructions:

1. Aloe vera leaves should be harvested at dawn or just after sunset. Use a plant that has not been exposed to rain so that the gel is not further diluted.
2. Gently clean them with a damp cloth or cotton wool, remove thorns and any physical impurities with a knife.
3. Cut the leaves into smaller pieces and put them in a blender along with honey and alcohol.
4. Mix until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
5. Store in a cool, dark place, if possible and prepare in a semi-dark room to reduce oxidation.

The amount of consumption is not strictly specified; one tablespoon per day , before meals, is generally recommended.

Why is alcohol added? In addition to helping with preservation, alcohol dilates blood vessels , which helps the active ingredients in the gel to be absorbed more easily. Honey, on the other hand, helps mask the bitterness of the aloe vera and provides a better texture.

Note: This “folk” recipe is not an official medical remedy and does not replace medical therapy. However, many people throughout history have witnessed positive effects, especially if they follow the recommendations and do not ignore professional advice.

Treatment of Roman Zaga’s father: cases of healing

Father Romano Zaga recorded several cases of people who allegedly had significant changes in their health after using his aloe preparation. Some of the stories read:

• Abbot Ruđero of Ravenna (1994): diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. After using aloe in May of the same year, routine tests showed no trace of the tumor.
• Karolina (3 years old, Florence): She suffered from leukemia. After chemotherapy, she started taking an aloe preparation and was cured, according to Father Zaga.
• Father Lorenzo of the Friars Minor (Parma): diagnosis – colon cancer. Doctors implanted a pouch (colostomy) and recommended chemotherapy. However, after taking aloe, his health reportedly improved drastically, the pouch was removed, and he fully recovered.
• Ala (12 years old, from Chernobyl): exposed to nuclear radiation. After a month of aloe vera treatment, according to the records, she fully recovered.
• A priest from Belgrade was diagnosed with a brain tumor that also caused blindness. After treatment with aloe vera, the tumor regressed and his vision partially returned.
• Father Thomas (Jerusalem): operated on a brain tumor and faced with post-operative infections. With the introduction of aloe vera gel, the infections were reportedly stopped, and he recovered.
• Nun Muni from Lebanon: diagnosis – advanced ovarian and uterine cancer. After treatment with aloe vera, according to Zaga, the cancer completely disappeared.

Father Zaga described the aforementioned experiences in the publication “ Di cancro si può guarire ” (“Cancer can be defeated”). Although these testimonies give hope to many, doctors and scientists remind that controlled clinical trials are needed before official conclusions can be drawn. However, the stories of people who have recovered with the support of aloe vera often inspire further research.

Aloe Vera through history – quotes and impressions

Aloe vera is mentioned in numerous literary, religious, and historical texts. For example, the Song of Songs (a biblical Old Testament text) contains the following passage:

You are a hidden garden, you are a sister, a bride, you are a source of milk and honey.
The fragrance of your garments is the fragrance of Lebanon. You are a garden of flowers, a deep spring, a rich fountain.
Your water waters the garden of the most beautiful roses, the one where golden and purple fruits grow, and mangoes and pomegranates with the most beautiful fruit, the kozjak with lavender bright saffron yellow, and fragrant roses and all the trees that yield incense, fragrant resin and aloes .

Mahatma Gandhi , the leader of the Indian independence movement and a prominent spiritual thinker, noted in a statement that aloe vera helped him maintain strength during long periods of fasting and travel:

You ask me what is the secret of strength that sustains me during my long fasts?
First of all, it is my devotion to God, then my simple life, moderation in eating and drinking, and aloe , whose benefits I discovered on my trip to South Africa.

, a famous sailor, wrote:

Four plants are indispensable in a man’s life: wheat, grapevine, olive, and aloe; the first nourishes him, the second delights his heart, the third balances him, and the fourth heals him.

There is also a statement from Dr. Windel Winters , who emphasizes:

He who has aloe vera has an entire pharmacy in one plant.

And Francois Vincent Rasperl concludes:

If you want to be as long-lived as Noah, take aloe vera pills.

Modern challenges and scientific work: how does aloe vera fit in?

Nowadays, when modern medicine is developing at a rapid pace, aloe vera is also finding its place in an integrative approach to treatment. Its application does not bypass the field of oncology either – numerous studies, such as one published in
PubMed (2023) , studying the effect of aloe on the side effects of chemotherapy and on the general improvement of the quality of life of patients.

Science is still looking for solid evidence and recommends that aloe vera be used as an adjunctive measure rather than a replacement for conventional treatment. Certainly, it is positive that many findings from folk medicine are confirmed in laboratories and clinical trials.

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Conclusion

The history and research on Aloe vera are almost endless – from ancient records and medieval manuscripts to modern laboratory discoveries, this plant never ceases to fascinate with its versatility. Father Romano Zaga further contributed to the popularization of aloe vera, especially through his simple but effective recipe based on aloe, honey and alcohol. However, it is important to keep in mind that any medicinal remedy, including aloe, should be viewed with caution and in collaboration with medical professionals – especially in the case of serious health conditions such as cancer.

Research confirms that aloe vera can help speed up skin regeneration, hydrate tissue better, help strengthen the immune system, and generally improve quality of life. It is advisable to use products of proven quality and use them according to instructions, but always maintain a critical perspective and consult a doctor when dealing with serious illnesses.

Finally, if you are fascinated by the work of Father Roman Zaga and want to delve deeper into the wonderful world of aloe vera, keep exploring! And if you are interested in the possibility of turning that passion into a profitable business, there are opportunities to develop in this field with the education and support of experts, like the Forever Living team. Whatever you choose, let your desire for true knowledge and health guide you – and don’t forget to share your valuable insights with others who may be just discovering the power of the “miracle plant.”

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using aloe vera for medicinal purposes or as an adjunct to therapy.