Aloe Vera is already known as a good herbal plant since the ancient era. The Ancient Egyptians called it
the plant of immortality and Cleopatra used its juices to help preserve her beauty. The clear gel from the cut leaves has soothing and healing properties. Aloe Vera that has other common names of Barbados aloe, bitter aloe, and Curacao aloe is suitable for large pots and rockeries and as an indoor plant.
Gardening Herb
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with very fleshy light green leaves that create a fan from the stemless base. In warm climates it produces narrow tubular yellow flowers.
Cape aloe (
A. ferox) is a tall single stemmed species that has long, grayish, spiny succulent leaves and tall, handsome spikes of tawny orange flowers.
Position - Aloe requires a good enough sun light position and a very well-drained soil to grow well.
Propagation - Aloe vera can be raised from seed, but it rarely sets seed in other than warm climates. Propagate it from offsets that form at the base of the plant. Allow these plantlets to dry for two days before planting them into small pots filled with gritty free draining potting mix. Once they are well established, transfer them to their permanen position.
Maintenance - Aloe is affected by even light frosts, and in areas where winter temperatures fall below 40·F (5·C), it is best grown in pots and brought indoors in cool weather. It makes an excellent indoor plant in good light.
Pests and diseases - Mealybug may prove a problem for plants grown indoors, although it rarely occurs on those grown in the garden. Spray with insecticidal soap, which is nontoxic to animals and leaves no residue. Apply it late in the afternoon, because it can burn sensitive plants in full sun or at high temperatures.
Harvesting and storing - Harvest leaves as needed, using only as much of the leaf as required. Cut the used end back to undamaged tissue, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for further use.
Herbal medicine
Aloe sp., including Aloe vera syn. A. barbadensis and A. ferox. Part used: leaves. The clear mucilaginous gel from the center of the aloe vera leaf has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Probably best known for its ability to encourage the healing of burns, aloe vera gel can also be applied to wounds, abrasions, eczema, psoriasis, and ulcers. The exudate from the cut aloe vera leaf acts as an extremely cathartic laxative, and consequently, homemade preparations of aloe vera should not be consumed.
Commercial preparations (without the laxative constituents) are available, and preliminary research indicates that they may be beneficial in a range of conditions, including non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and high blood lipid levels. For the safe and appropriate use of aloe vera. Do not consume aloe vera gel unless in a commercial form that IS specifically in ended for internal use. Do not take aloe vera internally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Topical application is considered safe during these times.
Natural Beauty
Ultra-soothing and nourishing for even the most
parched and
dehydrated skin, aloe vera is also a mild exfoliant. gently removing dead skin cells and stimulating cell regeneration, helping to prevent scarring and diminish wrinkles.
How to make use aloe vera for sunburn treatment, you can follow this below method:
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| aloe vera wrap for sunburn treatment |
Slice open fresh aloe leaf as image shown, and wrap it around the problem area like bandage, so the gel sits against your skin, leave it around 10 minutes or until skins feel better, then rinse off.
Aloe Vera has long history as a first aid treatment.
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