THE ALOE VERA PLANT
THE ALOE VERA PLANT: Where did this healing plant come from and
what does it do for us? Find out why so many people have this
plant in the kitchen!
Aloe Vera has a long and unrivaled history, dating back to
Biblical times. This semi tropical plant has been mentioned on
hundreds of occasions in a multitude of cultures throughout
recorded history. Needless to say, aloe has been earmarked as
one of the highest ranking herbal and healing plants known to
mankind today.
Many have mistaken aloe for some sort of cactus type plant.
Quite understandable given the thick, elongated and spiny leaves
jutting from a plant growing so close to the ground. The aloe
vera plant is actually a member of the Tree Lilly family known
as " aloe barbadensis". Aloe has other relations within the Tree
Lilly family to include the turnip, onion and garlic families.
The connection to the Tree Lilly does go unnoticed during the
springtime when aloe plants blossom with beautiful tubular
shaped yellow flowers.
The aloe plant is both coveted and prolific, with at least 250
different species grown around the world. The aloe plant is
grown in warm tropical areas as it cannot survive freezing
temperatures. Aloe is successfully grown in Africa, South
America, Mexico, the Pacific Rim and Australia. In the USA aloe
can be found growing in Texas, Southern California and Florida.
The original use of the aloe plant on a commercial basis was
for the substance called Aloin. This yellow sap served as a
successful laxative for decades, way before prescription
laxatives came to be. The 1950's brought us what we know today
as the ever common aloe gel. This wonderful and healing
substance can be found in beverages, Over The Counter cosmetics
and sunscreens, moisturizing products and nutraceuticals.
Laboratory analysis has revealed the gel portion of the aloe
plant is rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. It
is the saccharides portion of the aloe plant that has generated
a great deal of research over the past decade or so. It is felt
that these complex sugar chains may play a direct role in immune
system enhancement.
Those of you who have the aloe vera plant as part of your garden
may have witnessed the aloe plant "heal itself". The upright
stiff leaf of the aloe plant is held rigid by the pressure of
the clear gel within the leaf. An aloe leave that is cut spurts
this clear gel, much like a human would shed blood after being
cut or scraped. And, much like a human cut which scabs over in a
few minutes, the aloe plant produces a rubbery like film over
the affected area to prevent a further loss of fluids.
Also existing as a houseplant that is relatively easy to
maintain, it not uncommon for "those in the know" to keep a
plant in the kitchen in case a burn should occur during normal
cooking duties. To cool the burn and begin its healing, simply
tear off a leaf and apply the cooling clear inner gel. Whatever
your reasons for owning or using this succulent perennial plant,
make certain that the aloe products you use have the seal of
approval as designated by the International Aloe Science Council
( IASC). The IASC exists as a governing body to insure that you
are indeed purchasing a first-rate product from an approved
manufacturer.