Founded in 1981 by Warren and Catherine Bridges, Aloes International has a mission: to bring the good news about Aloe Vera to as many people as possible, so they may enjoy the same benefits that Catherine discovered in 1978 after losing one kidney - and nearly losing her life - more than a decade earlier.

Today, Aloes International offers a full range of high quality Aloe Vera-based nutritional supplements. Warren, who is now 84, continues to head the company. Until her death in June, 2007, Catherine was also active in the business, a mentor, guide, and source of inspiration to friends and customers all over the U.S.A.

Aloe Vera is the original "first aid kit in a plant." Customers tell us of its remarkable benefits for arthritis, kidney and urinary tract health, digestive distress, skin health, and more. And while the company's focus has expanded to include a broad range of health issues, Aloe Vera remains a constant ingredient in all its products.

In 1961 Catherine suffered a blockage and massive infection that damaged her left kidney so severely there was nothing to do but remove it. Then one infection after another developed in her right kidney. Numerous large stones kept forming - so many that, as time passed, she had to have three more major operations, each time having a number of large stones removed.

Fortunately, Warren was in the military at the time, and Catherine had access to some of the finest medical care in the country. Additional exploratory surgery was performed at Walter Reed Medical Center and at the National Institutes of Health. A growth was discovered on her parathyroid. It was removed. The problems continued. She went on a low-calcium diet. The problems still didn't stop. The stones just kept on developing. (Today, ultra-sound techniques are used to reduce the stones to dust; back then, the only treatment was surgery.)

And that's the way it went for years. Two or three times a year, Catherine would suffer a serious kidney infection. It seemed as if the infections would cause stones, and then the stones would stimulate the infection. It was a vicious cycle from which she couldn't seem to escape. And with only one kidney, such a cycle was not just serious - it was life-threatening.

A great discovery, you can take Aloe Vera internally!

In 1976, Warren and Catherine settled in Florida. Living in the Sunshine State, with all its sunshine and attendant skin problems, they quickly became aware of all the benefits of the Aloe Vera plant. But it was not until 1978 that they learned Aloe Vera could be taken internally. They found it was a fine tonic - and a great deal more! Taken full strength, it evidently stimulates and increases the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Then - no further kidney trouble of any kind!

Catherine began to take high quality Aloe Vera twice a day. From that time on, she had no further trouble with her kidney - no stones, no infections, no problems of any kind!