Brief Information On Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a species of Aloe, native to northern Africa. It is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 80–100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2 to 3 cm long.
Aloe Vera has long been a popular houseplant. Often called the 'miracle plant' or the 'natural healer', Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises. It flourishes in warm and dry climates, and to many people it looks like a cactus with fleshy thorny leaves. In fact it is a member of the Lily family, staying moist where other plants wither and die by closing its pores to prevent moisture loss.
The Aloe Vera Plant
The lower leaf of the plant is used for medicinal purpose. If the lower leaf is sliced open, the gel obtained can be applied on the affected area of the skin. Leaves and seeds are the two edible parts of Aloe Vera.
The Aloe leaf structure is made up of four layers:
Rind - the outer protective layer;
Sap - a layer of bitter fluid which helps protect the plant from animals;
Mucilage Gel - the inner part of the leaf that is filleted out to make Aloe Vera gel.
Aloe Vera (inner gel) contains the 8 essential Amino Acids that the human body needs but cannot manufacture.
A General Overview of the uses of Aloe Vera in Human History
You have probably used aloe vera for sunburn. Aloe Vera has been used for countless centuries by many civilizations, and a score of historic figures you may recognize such as Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, King Solomon and others.
Alexander the Great conquered an island (Socotra) lush with aloe plants for the use of his armies to treat intestinal worms and wounds inflicted in battle.
Cleopatra used aloe vera to keep her skin smooth and supple. King Solomon is believed to have cultivated aloe plants.
Texts referencing the use of aloe plants go back 3,500 years. Indeed, in 1852 an Egyptian papyrus mentioning the use of aloe vera was discovered. The papyrus was dated to 1550 B.C. / BCE.
Native American healers used aloe vera for medicinal purposes, as have Japanese, Chinese, Romans and ancient Greek physicians.
Often referred to as the "First Aid Plant," aloe vera continues to be studied in the United States, Great Britain and other countries by renowned researchers.
Physicians have long considered aloe vera to be a natural emollient and antiseptic. The anti-inflammation properties of aloe vera are well-documented.
No doubt you have already used aloe vera to treat minor skin burns, cuts, and rashes.
Only in the last few decades, thanks to the research and enormous efforts of www.foreverliving.com (Forever Living Products, International) in the world, have the benefits of drinking aloe vera juice been rediscovered.
Aloe Vera has been especially helpful of patients with severe and various skin diseases. It acts as a rejuvenating action. It acts as a moisturizer and hydrates the skin. After being absorbed into the skin, it stimulates the fibroblasts cells and causes them to regenerate themselves faster. It's the cells that produce the collagen and elastin so the skin will get smoother and look younger.
Because Aloe Vera is natural, it works gently within the intestinal tract to help break down food residues that have become impacted and help clean out the bowel. When the bowel is cleaned out, it greatly reduces bloating, discomfort, and helps ease stress, which only leads to more attacks of irritable bowel syndrome.