Most modern medicine cabinets are equipped with aloe vera in gel, lotion or capsule form. It's interesting to note, however, that there's nothing "new" about nature's age-old medical miracle. The aloe vera plant has given us many popular herbal remedies. A native African plant, aloe vera plant is known as "lily of the desert", "plant of immortality" and of course, "medicine plant." The name aloe is derived from the Arabic word "alloeh", meaning "bitter taste". Botanical Basics Aloe vera is one of about 400 known species that fall under the family of plants known as "asphodelaceae". Aloe is native to the arid parts of Africa, as well as the mountainous zones of tropical Africa. Classified as a succulent plant and considered by many to be an herb, the aloe vera plant is distinguished by the large, thick, fleshy leaves. Shaped like lances, these leaves have spines lining their margins and sharp apexes. Ancient History As early as 1500 BC, Egyptians have noted the use of the aloe vera plant as treatment for burns, infections, and parasites. Healing Properties of Aloe Vera Evidently, the juice of the plant leaves yields certain substances, called aloes, which are good purgatives. Some species of the aloe, like Aloe venenosa, may produce poisonous juice and are therefore not recommended. However, most species, such as the A. vera, vulgaris, socotrina, chinensis, and perryi contain aloes that have therapeutic uses. Since the 1930s, thorough research has been conducted on the aloe vera plant. Studies have indicated that the clear gel of the aloe vera herbal plant may hold dramatic abilities to heal burns, wounds and ulcers. By coating the affected areas with the gel-like substance, the wound may be safeguarded from infection-causing bacteria and other micro bodies, allowing for quicker healing. Herbal Juice The aloe vera plant, like most succulents, contains about 96 percent water. The remaining 4 percent of aloe vera is a combination of active ingredients including amino acids, enzymes, essential oils, glycoproteins, minerals and vitamins. Because of the many active constituents present in the aloe vera plant, modern healers often implement it into their liquid health treatments. Juice from the aloe vera is usually combined with other medicinal plants to increase its potency. Those who use aloe vera juice believe that it is able to relieve digestive tract irritations caused by colitis, peptic ulcers and other disorders. Herbal Supplements With its many vitamins and minerals, aloe vera is perfect as an herbal food supplement. It helps aid digestion and assists in blood and lymphatic circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplement is also thought to improve kidney, liver, and gall bladder functions. With at least three fatty acids, the aloe vera plant also presents anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, aloe vera herbal supplements can be helpful for those with colon, stomach and small intestine difficulties. By naturally alkalizing digestive juices and preventing excess stomach acids, aloe vera supplements can help to prevent these common causes of indigestion. Next time you're feeling discomfort, inside or out, reach for a piece of aloe. It's an easy-to-grow plant that looks beautiful in the bathroom, so keep one in a pot and have those remarkable healing properties at hand, any time you need them.
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