Aloe Vera
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Aloe
Species: Aloe vera
The large genus, Aloe, has about 400 species and is indigenous to the continent of Africa (including Madagascar), the Arabian Peninsula and various islands in the western Indian Ocean.
There are various types of plants in the Aloe genus, such as Aloe ferox, which is a tall, single-stemmed, woody Aloe plant that grows in the wild and is indigenous to southern Africa.
The species Aloe vera has this name because the word “Vera” indicates that this particular plant is considered the “true” Aloe plant; meaning, this species is the one that is most commonly used. Aloe vera is stemless and can grow up to 3 feet tall. It’s easy to grow and has been transplanted globally.
It is now naturalized in other regions of the world: Asia, Mediterranean, Australia, North and South America, Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
What is Aloe?
Most Aloe species are succulent plants that store water in their rosettes, which are large, thick fleshy leaves.
Aloe plants also have tube-like flowers that come in yellow, orange, pink or red colors. The rosette leaves can vary in color grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled.
Aloe Ferox
Some leaves grow at ground level and some have branched or unbranched stems, from where the leaves grow out.
The leaves are engorged because they retain water, and this gives Aloe plants the ability to survive quite well in dry, arid climates and soil conditions.
There are 3 main layers to the structure of Aloe leaves:
- an outer protective layer called the Rind
- a layer of a bitter, yellow sap-like fluid called Latex just underneath the rind
- and a watery gel-like inner layer called Mucilage
Aloe Vera's chemical composition
The Aloe Vera plant is made up of mostly water which is stored in the leaf’s inner layer as a gel-like mucilage.
The plant itself contains more than 100 active biological nutrients such as aloin, amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, minerals, vitamins A, C, E, B complex, phytosterols, lignans, phytonutrients, polysaccharides, antioxidants, salicylic acid, saponins and glycoproteins.
The aloin and anthraquinones in the latex sap gives Aloe its laxative properties. Aloe Vera's medicinal properties are: bitter tonic, laxative, vermifuge, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, cathartic, depurative and emmenagogue
According to research, the gel of the Aloe Vera plant, has the ability to penetrate into the skin’s tissues and has antiseptic, analgesic and cleansing abilities.
Aloe Vera Uses
Due to Aloe's fantastic penetrating abilities, it is used as a moisturizing base in many home remedies and products sold in stores around the world.
And because it contains such as large amount of active biological nutrients, Aloe Vera has reputation for being able to heal many things.
Caution should be taken when using Aloe Vera internally:
Like any other medication, Herbal Remedies can cause side effects and have counter reactions with other substances or medications. Aloe Vera should be taken at a certain dosage, for a certain period of time. Long term oral usage can lead to toxicity in the organs.
