Aloe - Aloe Vera

Family: Aloe Vera or Aloe vera barbadensis to give it it’s full name originates from North African and belongs to the Liliaceae (Lily) family. Now days it has spread world wide, due to its wonderful healing properties – in cool climates it can be grown as an indoor plant.

Description: Basically, it is a succulent and its orange red tubular flowers form when the plant is 3 –4 years old. Propagate it from the “pups” or side shoots as is typical for succulent type plants. Commercially, it is cultivated widely through the world.

During the 1980’s there was a huge hype and marketing of aloe products “the latest wonder plant” with huge promise to heal “absolutely anything”. This kind of exaggeration can lead to great

disillusion about herbs.

Some of these products claim “great benefits, with special processing so there is no bitter taste” – the “bitter taste” is the source of the major healing constituents – so without it, mostly you are wasting your money! Fresh is (as usual) best!

So what makes this plant a great healer?

Aloe’s constituents include oils and resins, phenols and phenolic glycosides, mannose-6-phosphate, anthraquinones, sterols, polysaccharides, saponins, gelonins, chromones, specific sugars, mucilage, fibre, 18 amino acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, sodium, tin, zinc, and vitamins A, B, B2, B6 and C.

Character: The green outer skin is the part that is most bitter, this has more “purgative” actions than the gel.

The leaves are described in character as bitter, hot, moist, and the gel – salty, bitter, cool, moist.

Therapeutic actions of Aloe differ somewhat, depending on the part used.

The anthraquinone glycosides – of which are in greater concentration in the green skin – are “cathartic and purgative”! Bile flow stimulant, (as are most bitter tastes) emmenagogue, vulnerary (wound healer), tonic, demulcent, anti-fungal, vermifuge (wormer), sedative and nutritive.

Externally used aloe is vulnerary demulcent (healing and soothing) and stimulates skin cells to proliferate, so is very good for healing wounds and burns.

So what can you use it for?

The whole leaf is much more stimulating than just the gel so is used for constipation as a potent digestive and appetite stimulant, stimulant and vermifuge. Externally, the bitter skin can be rubbed on fingers to deter nail biting and thumb sucking.

The gel on its own can be taken internally to stimulate digestion and to help gastric ulcerations.

“There are many uses for it, but the chief one is to relax the bowels, for it is almost the only laxative that is also a stomach tonic” - Pliny AD 77

In India, fermented aloe gel with honey and spices is given to patients with digestive and liver disorders or with anaemia. It is called Kumarysava.

Externally the fresh gel is used to apply on burns, fungal infections, wounds, bites and acne. It acts to soothe, is anti-septic and stimulates healing.

Extracting the gel: To get the gel or to juice it, treat it rather as you would a fish! - You need to fillet it!

Cut of the ends then fillet the gel off the green outer skin – use this way or whiz in a blender to a pulp and juice it.

Also the juice or gel can be rubbed into the scalp (preferably leave overnight if possible) if you have dandruff or other scalp conditions.

The gel can also be added to a cream base or lotion to be used externally.

Dosage: As this has a strong action – err on caution, and start with 1tsp juice up to 2tsp. This is best to take diluted in either water or fruit juice – unless a real “purging” effect is needed.

Add some gel to fruit smoothies, this helps disguise the bitterness.

{ Caution: I strongly advise this herb to be avoided during pregnancy or when breast feeding (for the latter, the purgative/stimulating constituents will be present in the breast milk and your baby will probably suffer colic pains and/or diarrhoea)

Also to be avoided for internal use by women who have heavy menstrual bleeding.

Other Uses: Aloe roots can be used for dyeing. With alum as a mordant the colour obtained is wine and with chrome, it is gold.

History & mystery:

Folk names for aloe are: Living First-Aid Plant, Medicine Plant, Wand of Heaven, Burn Plant, Divine Healer, doesn’t surprise you does it!

The astrological aspects are- feminine gender (hope that’s nothing to do with the bitterness!) Planet – moon and element – water

 The magical powers that are attributed to aloes are for protection and luck. As an indoor plant it is said to guard against “negative” energy and influences and prevent household accidents – well if the accident is a cut or burn it’ll be ready and waiting! Traditionally in Africa it was hung over doors to keep “evil” away and bring good luck. In Mexico wreaths are made up to be hung in the home, including aloe shoots, sacred herbs, garlic, salt special stones and images of saints!

“when all purging medicines are hurtfull to the stomacke, Aloes onely is comfortable.”   “is good against a stinking breath proceeding from the imperfection of the stomacke; it openeth the piles or hemorrhoides of the fundament; and being taken in a small quantity, it bringeth downe a monthly course.”   forasmuch as it clenseth and drieth without biting.” - Gerard highly recommended aloe juice as a purgative and vermifuge and medicine for the eyes. From his book Herball, Generall Historie of Plants written in 1597.

Definitely worth growing wouldn’t you say?

Karina Hilterman, Medical Herbalist

Phone 04-2971925 or 021-1684529

Email & website karina@lavenderhillherbals.com & www.lavenderhillherbals.com

*Advisory Note: This text is given a general guidance. If any adverse reactions occur or symptoms persist, please contact a qualified Medical Herbalist or Doctor immediately