Aloe Vera Gel - Since ancient times Aloe Vera gel has been used as a natural cleanser and moisturizer. Its moisturizing ability is its most widely recognized characteristic. Although aloe Vera's important constituents are minerals, polysaccharides, amino acids, and carbohydrates, it is constituted of about 99.5% water. The molecular structure allows Aloe Vera to penetrate the skin, supplying moisture directly to the tissue. Other properties include moisture regulation and an apparent ability to absorb UV light. It has a slightly relaxing effect on the skin, making it beneficial for sensitive, sunburned, and sun-exposed skins.

Many are the institutes that have been in charged of studying the healing properties that Aloe Vera has. One of them is the Science and Medicine Institute of Linus Pauling in California, that after a research confirmed the beneficial effect of the consumption of Aloe Vera over the digestive system. Taking daily juice of the leaves of Aloe Vera produces a great improvement in the persons who have diseases of the digestive apparatus, as colitis, heartburn and irritable colon. Also it was proved the action of the Aloe Vera juice as an antacid and healer in treatments as gastritis and ulcer. The Aloe Vera is from tropical Africa and it arrived to the Occidental Indies in the XVI century. This plant has antibacterial, anti fungicide and antiviral properties.

The transparent gel that is found inside its leaf is used as a domestic emergency treatment in burns, injuries and solar erithema, also it is applied externally on hemorrhoids and foe a good cicatrisation. Aloe Vera contains at least two active compounds that decrease the levels of sugar in the blood and its extract is also used in patients with hypoglycemia. Its juice is consumed as prevention and treatment of many gastric disorders, but it has to be drank in small dozes because it contains compounds that can be toxic or cause intestinal irritation acting as a laxative. The efficiency of Aloe Vera in the treatment of burns is due because it has a similar structure as aspirin, that in combination with magnesium have an anesthetic effect and because of its antimicrobian composition it helps for the hygiene of the burns, avoiding a possible infection.

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Personality: Aloe is a fleshy, shallow rooted plant, tolerant of a wide range of conditions. With plenty of light and in well drained soil it grows quickly. The leaves change colour, from an insipid yellow-green, with too much water and too little light, to a darker, reddish hue in full sunlight .It is a highly attractive houseplant which multiplies freely.

Aloe - Aloe vera

Sources: Aloe is easy to grow from an offset obtained from a friend or a small plant bought at a nursery. Water it sparingly and give it plenty of light and you will soon have leaves large enough to harvest. You can also buy the juice, either dried or in stabilised liquid form, from health food shops.

Anecdotes: I keep a large Aloe plant in our conservatory as a sort of living first aid kit. The fresh juice can be squeezed from a leaf and applied to sunburn or minor burns. It has produced lots of baby plants which I break off as gifts for friends.

Uses & Actions: Aloe has two distinct types of use. Externally, it is applied, wherever healing and soothing are needed, especially with burns, stings and sunburn. Near the base of the leaves one finds a substance (bitter aloes) which should not be applied externally, but which is used as an internal remedy. Bitter aloes is generally stimulating to the digestive system and other areas of smooth muscle. Large doses are used as a laxative, but may cause cramping.

Preparations and dosage: For external use, it is best to scrape the gel out of a leaf and use it directly, or for small areas, just break open a leaf and apply it to the skin. A few drops of tincture in water will be sufficient to stimulate the appetite. For internal healing use the stabilised juice, at the recommended dosage.

Safety: Bitter aloes should not be taken in pregnancy, as it could over-stimulate the uterus. Do not use whilst breastfeeding as the action will reach the baby via the milk.