| Aloe Vera |
| Parts Used Gel and powder from the leaf |
|
| Common Uses |
 |
Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
and analgesic |
|
Helps to heal burns, skin
injuries, wounds and ulcers |
|
Soothes skin rashes, acne, insect
bites and stings, poison oak and poison ivy. |
|
Soothes dry skin conditions |
|
Is very useful for soothing eczema
especially when it occurs on sensitive facial skin. |
|
Soothes sun burnt skin |
|
The gel is rich in enzymes and
herbalists recommend taking it internally as a general tonic. They say it can also
be useful for poor appetite as it stimulates bile flow and aids digestion. |
|
The powder is a powerful
purgative, herbalists sometimes recommend it for stubborn constipation. |
|
|
How Aloe Vera Works
Aloe Vera contains a large number of vital
nutrients including vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, polysaccharides, minerals and trace
elements. |
| It's value lies in it's ability to nourish the dermis (the
skin), increasing the formation of collagen and elastin, and stimulating the regeneration
of damaged tissue. |
| Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and
analgesic properties. It is also thought to be antifungal. |
| Another great asset of Aloe Vera is it's ability to pull
moisture from the air and help the skin to hold on to it, acting as a humectant. |
|
| Safety Issues |
| Aloe Vera should be avoided during pregnancy as
it is a strong purgative. |
| High doses of the leaves can cause vomiting. |
| Although allergic reaction to Aloe Vera is rare,
some individuals, particularly diabetics can develop an intolerance to it. |
|
| History of Aloe Vera |
| Aloe Vera has been an important part of
mankind's medicine chest for more than 4000 years. |
| It is thought to have originated in tropical
Africa where it was used to treat poison arrow wounds. From there it moved through all the
major civilizations and quickly became popular for it's amazing healing powers. |
| Aloe Vera was used in Egypt, Greece, Rome and
China as well as in Arabia and India. It reached the West Indies in the 16th century,
where it was widely cultivated. |
| In modern times it is hard to find anyone who is
not aware of the healing powers of Aloe Vera, and nearly every cosmetic counter has
shampoos, soaps and skin lotions containing Aloe Vera. |
