The use of Aloe has been traced back thousands of years to Egyptian civilization. The Egyptions used to call it "plant of immortality". It have even been thought to have been one of the ingredients that Cleopatra used in her beauty regimens. Today aloe is used in commercial cosmetic products around the world and not to mention home remedies too.
Aloe Vera is probably one of the first plant remedies most people today have used. Even without knowing. If you ever had a sunburn and used the sunburn gel with aloe, you have used aloe as a remedy.
Aloe originated on the island of Sacotra in the Indian Ocean. Many years ago immigrants brought and transplanted Aloe into America. Many immigrants weren't sure if America would have the medicinal plants they were used to so they brought them with them.
When you cut the leaves open inside is a bitter tasting juice and a soothing gel. Also inside of each aloe leaf is a clear gel like sap which has an immediate soothing effect on burns and also forms a clear protective seal, allowing healing to take place rapidly. The gel can be placed directly on the affected area.
Description
Aloe is a tender evergreen perennial, which grows up to 24 inches. The leaves are pale green, blade like and are long, very fleshy, tapering, pointed and have spiny teeth along the margins. The plant base is stem-less, but it does eventually produce a stem which will then produce a flower. These are spikes of narrow, trumpet shaped yellow or orange flowers. The stem also provides offshoots for propagation. The root is strong light brown and fibrous.
Growing:
Aloe needs to be grown in full sun or light shade in a frost-free location with a well-drained gritty soil, two parts compost and one part sharp sand should be good. When growing indoors or out maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F minimum. This is an excellent plant to grow indoors if you like to have indoor plants, or don't have space outside and have to have your plants inside. Propagation of this plant is by removing the offshoots in the summer time and then drying them for two days before planting. Plant them in the spring, Make sure that the soil is at least 70 degrees F before you plant them outdoors or the roots may freeze out, or you can also plant them indoors in a pot.
Medicinal:
The components in the aloe leaves contain its medicinal properties that help heal and replenish skin tissue. Aloe has proved useful against acne, dandruff, moisturizes dry, sensitive skin and other dermatological problems, it inhibits inflammation, stops minor bleeding and helps cure eczema, sunburn and other minor burns.
You can take aloe as a laxative; it is commonly used in over the counter laxatives also as it stimulates intestinal activity. Aloe tincture can re-stimulate your appetite if it has waned. Take a few drops in some water or juice.
Aloe is also sometime use orally to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis.
You can crush sap from leaves or slice them removing the skin and apply as a poultice for chapped skin, dermatitis, osteoarthritis and eczema.
For a minor burn or sunburn break off a leaf and rub the gel from the leaves on to the affected areas.
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