Scientific name: Aloe vera
Aloe is one of the most commonly used and familiar herbal remedies. It is believe that Aloe is native to North Africa and coastal areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Aloe has been frequently use since ancient times, from Cleopatra to Alexander the Great. According to the legend, Cleopatra daily massaged aloe gel into her skin. Aloe was famous for its ability to heal wounds and maintain healthy skin.
Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant spread by offsets. It grows to about 36 inches. Aloe vera's leaves are thick, fleshy, and lance-shaped leaves of green to grey-green in color, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf has small white teeth-like serrations and grows from 6 to 20 inches long. Usually, there are up to 16 leaves in a rosette. Aloe produces a singles flowering stalk with pendant, inch-long dropping yellowish flowers. Aloe flourish during summer.
Parts used:
Aloe gel is the inner gooey thick gel part that oozes from cut leaves. It used topically from many skin conditions. Aloe gel contains compounds that have a soothing effect on mucous membranes and promotes rapid healing and tissue repair. Also, Aloe gel is used in creams, as an oil, fort its gelling properties, as a resin, and in capsule (tablet) supplements.
Medicinal uses:
Aloe vera is remarkable famous for soothing burns, both superficial (first degree) and serious (second degree). Aloe gel contains active compounds that decrease pain and inflammation and stimulate repair of damage skin tissue. Furthermore, Aloe vera is helpful for treating insect bites and stings, rashes, eczemas, acne, skin ulcers, dermatitis, herpes sores and the inflammation caused by poison oak and poison ivy.
When taken internally, aloe vera is one of the most widely used and safe laxatives. The laxative action derives from the aloin, or bitter constituents, found in the outer sheath if the leaf blades. It is recommend to use aloe as laxative with precaution because it is quite powerful and can have purgative effects irritating the intestine and pain if used in excess.
The juice or gel pulp within the leaves is a soothing remedy for digestive irritation and inflammation, such as stomach ulcers and colitis. It's also well-know remedy for arthritic pain and bursitis, whether taken internally or applied externally as a liniment. It effectively cools heat and soothes inflammation, not only easing the pan but also actually helping to heal the underlying cause.
Side effects:
Take care when ingesting the plant; too much can cause diarrhea or potassium deficiency and may also inhibit the absorption of other drugs.
Caution:
Using aloe vera on the skin and the hair is usually safe, but anyone allergic to members of the onion family should avoid it. Not to be ingested by breastfeeding women, or by diabetics or by sufferers from irritable bowl syndrome or hemorrhoids.
Safety factors:
The reduce the concentration aloin or bitter constituents leave the Aloe's leaf on water for at least 24 hours before using. The leaf will start changing the water color. The water can be change every 4 hours so the color changed can be notice. After the 24 hours, place the leaf on new fresh water. Once the water stopped changing colors, it is safe to use.
The dried powder and outer leaf sheath of aloe can be very strong laxatives and purgatives; always follow dosage instructions when using it for laxative purposes. Because of its strong laxative properties, pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid using aloe internally, and it should be given to the elderly and children with caution. If cramping or stomach pain occurs, discontinue use.
Aloe is not recommended as a tropical treatment for staph or staph-related infections such as impetigo. It seals in the spaph bacteria, creating a perfect petri dish for them to grow in. If you suspect staph, don't used an aloe-based cream or ointment.
