Aloe vera
An aloe vera plant has thorn-edged leaves growing in a clump from the base, resembling a cactus, although it belongs to the lily family. The succulent, stiff leaf-blades grow from 12 inches (30 cm) to 2 feet (60 cm), and are pale green, sometimes lightly mottled. In spring, leafless, erect flower stalks thrust upward from the plant’s centre, bearing at the tip a collection of tubular-shaped red or yellow flowers followed by seed capsules.
History and mythology
Many species of aloe are said to be native to south and east Africa, and have become naturalized over many centuries in other parts of the world where climates are temperate, including Spain, India, Asia, and the Caribbean islands. The type, aloe vera, is the most freely available and widely used variety today, and is also but known in folk medicine by such descriptive names as “first aid plant” and “medicinal plant,” owing to the miraculous healing qualities of the thick, clear liquid stored in its leaves. Aloe vera, and others of the same medicinal family, have been recorded in different countries for thousands of years in historical documents describing their therapeutic and cosmetic qualities. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, Arabians, Indians, and Chinese all knew of the qualities of this herb, and Cleopatra is said to have applied the gel to her body as one of her beauty requisites. The famous Egyptian papyrus “Ebus,” dating from 1500 B.C., chronicles the wide medicinal use of aloe, and there are other reports by Greek writers of its countless applications, taken to alleviate both internal and external problems and ailments.
Treatment for sun burn
Raw aloe juice can be used as an immediate relief from sunburn and will also speed the recovery time for the skin.
Other aloe skin treatments
Where skin cancers had been removed; a patient experimented by squeezing fresh aloe vera onto one marked hand to see what would happen. The skin on that hand was smooth and healthy with no discoloration or blemishes when we saw it; the other hand was covered with little blotches.
Apart from healing skin scars, burns, and blemishes, relieving sunburn and other external afflictions, aloe vera is taken internally when prescribed, often in tablet form for digestive complaints.
Some people take the fresh gel every day as a tonic, to aid kidney infections, as a mild laxative, and to assist arthritis and ulcers.
People have also used the aloe as a tooth paste as it has great effects on the gums ( tates bad though)
Aloe vera juice or gel is added to many cosmetic lines for its healing, smoothing, anti-wrinkling effect on the skin. It is also beneficial for the hair and scalp.
How to prepare aloe vera for use
