Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has been used for its medicinal, health, and beauty properties in many cultures for millennia. Due to its very short shelf-life, products containing aloe must also contain preservatives. Therefore, to achieve the most efficacy, using aloe from your own houseplants is best!
Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis
Common Name: Aloe vera, Barbados aloe, First Aid Plant, Medicinal Aloe
Plant Family: Asphodelaceae/Aloeaceae
Etymology: “Aloe” derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.”
Traditional Uses
Traditionally, this medicinal plant has been used to treat skin issues such as wounds, burns, and anti-inflammatory processes. Ancient Egyptians wrote about aloe vera and Nefertiti and Cleopatra bathed in aloe juice which we can replicate what applying aloe gel after a shower.
Medicinal Uses
As a topical application, aloe gel helps many kinds of first- and second-degree burns including those by sunburn, chemical burns, kitchen or industrial accidents, and radiation. Aloe gel moistens the skin and speeds healing by increasing fibroblastic activity, which promotes the quick formation of granulation tissue. Furthermore, aloe vera can also calm constipation and ease psoriasis.
Edible Parts
Aloe vera gel is used as an edible coating to preserve food because it contains compounds such as minerals, polysaccharides, organic acids, and tannins.
Gathering and Using
Aloe vera will send pups which are baby plants that form near the base of the plant. These pups can be repotted for propagation. Aloe harvesting should be done when the leaves are plump and the outside leaves should be harvested first so that plant has the chance to keep growing from the center. When picking leaves, they should last in the fridge for a few weeks.
Permaculture Functions and Considerations
Aloe vera is considered to be a healing, soothing, and rejuvenating herb that aids in digestive health and for aiding in skin conditions and sunburn. Excellent for low water use gardens, rockeries, and pots.
Habitat
Aloe vera usually likes arid climates such as in Africa and India. However, it can also grown in subtropical winter and summer rainfall regions. Furthermore, it can grow on maritime sands and rocks. Aloe needs well drained soil that is loose, dry, and sandy. It will grow in full sun and little shade. However, it cannot receive too much sun or the leaves will turn brown. Lastly, aloe is naturally resistant to most pests and diseases but it will sometimes get attacked by mealy bugs.
How to Identify
Aloe vera is a herb with grey to green leaves that are arranged in a rosette. Sometimes the succulent leaves have whites spots on their surface. They have pink, sharp spines on the edges of their leaves and the gel inside is colorless.
Wildlife Support
Aloe is pollinated by various insects and birds. Yet, there are other birds, mammals, and insects that are nectar and pollen “thieves” and do not contribute to pollination. In some arid and hot areas, aloes are keystone species since they are among the few perennial plants.
Additional Information
There are more than 450 species of Aloe vera such as Cape aloe (Aloe ferox) and Krantz aloe (Aloe arborescens)!
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- https://www.kew.org/plants/aloe-vera
- https://greenhouse.ucdavis.edu/files/botnot_01-01.00.pdf
- https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aloe+barbadensis
- https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/august/aloe
- https://communitygarden.org.au/2021/03/aloe-vera/
- https://www.permaculturenews.org/2019/03/15/aloe-vera/
- https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/plants/aloe
- https://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/aloevera.html