Parts Used
Properties
Common Uses
Locating and Handling
Caution
Origin
"The first hearbe Aloe is usually hung up in houses to bee ready
at hand upon all occasions, to apply a little of the juyce of a leafe cut
off, or the peece of a leafe itselfe, upon any cut or fresh wound. . ."
Gel which makes up the body of leaves.
Anesthetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sunscreen, tissue restorative
-- speeds healing, prevents scarring, soothes itching and burning.
Aloe gel is used to accelerate the healing process for burns, wounds, and skin irritations. May aid in healing the eyes of "flash burns" from welding. Apply gel from a
fresh cut leaf to burns, wounds, poison ivy, and hemmorhoids. In folk medicine,
Aloe gel has been taken internally to alleviate constipation, to heal ulcers, to
ease the pain and swelling of arthritis, and to help diabetics control blood
sugar (see Caution below).
Use fresh cut leaf if possible. Easy to grow in a pot on the windowsill. Purchase
at a nursery. Soil should dry between waterings.
Although Aloe has historically been taken internally,
it is no longer recommended. Severe abdominal pain may result from internal
use. (Some herbalists recommend combining it with other herbs to avoid this.)
Internal use during pregnancy could lead to miscarriage, as it stimulates
uterine contractions.
Africa, brought to Greece by Alexander the Great.
