Aloe

Aloe

Aloe is a member of the Asphodelaceae family with thick, spikey leaves. It grows 60cm tall and can spread indefinitely across a wide area via the production of offspring plants. Native to Africa, it is known grown world wide with it's popularity as a house plant spreading it's fame. Aloe has the ability to organise water, to maintain life and to reproduce in heat, wind, dryness. It is thought of as a survivor of nature.

The first known written reports on the aloe vera plant reach as far back as 6,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. Aloe was regarded as a sacred plant the “blood” of which held the secrets to beauty, health and immortality. Aloe was given the Sanskrit name Ghrita-Kumari, with "Kumar" meaning "girl". It was believed that this plant supplied the energy of youth to women. In the Indian ayurvedic medicine, Aloe is regarded as the plant of balance between pitta, kapha and vata.

Acemannan is a polysaccharide compound naturally found in the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf that carries most of the plants benefit, where as in the outer leaf (skin), naturally occuring Aloin has a fast and powerful laxative effect when ingested. Due to the side effects, it’s extremely important to know which part of the aloe vera leaf you are consuming and understand the effects of the different parts.

Aloe Vera is easy to grow in the home. Easy to grow in the home. It likes well drained sandy soil in fill sun, making a sunny windowsill an idea spot if you don't have a glass house. A terracotta pot with a drainage hole is porous and allows the soil to dry out between watering. Choose a (pot that's the same size as the root ball). Use house plant or cactus compost, or ordinary peat-free multi-purpose compost with some horticultural grit or perlite added. You could top the compost with a layer of grit, too – this will keep the base of the plant dry and will prevent it rotting. Seasonal watering is important in order to mimic natural growing conditions. Give it moderate water in summer, and dry winters. Feed every couple of months from April to September with a weak plant food. Wipe the leaves occasionally, to prevent dust building up. Aloe vera can be Propagated from offsets that a mother plant produces, or grown from seed at 21c

 

Name: Aloe vera, syn. A.barbadensis

Pseudo and nick-names:  Burns plant, Saqal, Zabilia, Ghrita-Kumari
Parts used: Inner pulp, whole leaf

Plant descriptive: A member of the Asphodelaceae family with thick, spikey leaves. It grows 60cm tall and can spread indefinitely.

Growing:

  • Easy to grow in the home
  • likes well drained sandy soil in fill sun
  • moderate water in summer, and dry winters
  • Propagated from offsets or grown from seed at 21c


Location: Native to Africa

Harvesting: 

Select leaves around the base of the plant, with healthy, green, rigid stalks growing close to the dirt. (The outer leaves are more likely to be mature and contain plenty of fresh, healthy gel.) Use a sharp knife or clean pair of scissors to make a neat cut as near to the base of the leaf as you can Check the bottom of the leaf where you made the cut and trim away any portions that display a yellow or discoloured discharge. (This discharge contains latex, which may cause allergic reactions in some people). Rinse the leaf under cold water and cut away any yellow gel. Then place the leaf cut-side down into a container to allow any excess yellow resin drain for about 10 minutes, or until it stops dripping. Slice the leaf lengthways. Use one hand to hold the leaf in place, and scoop the gel out and away from the skin into a clean bowl with a spoon or knife. Mix the aloe gel, and any white fleshy parts, pulsing it on a low setting in a blender. It is often lumpy or in strips when harvested, making it difficult to apply.

Constituents: Polysaccharides, sterols, saponins, chromones, resins, anthraquinone glycosides (inc aloin and aloe-emodin)

 Energetics and properties: 

  • soothing
  • cooling
  • moistening
  • purgative (outer leaf)
  • stimulant laxative (outer leaf)
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antiseptic
  • demulcent
  • emollient
  • vulnerary
  • emmenagogue
  • vermifuge
  • digestive
  • anti-bacterial
  • cholagogue
  • antifungal
  • styptic
  • sedative
  • anthelmintic

    Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental

    • mucous membranes
    • burns
    • damaged skin
    • irritated skin
    • immunity (whole leaf)
    • arthritis (whole leaf)
    • cancer (whole leaf)
    • aids (whole leaf)
    • generative disease (whole leaf)
    • hot and dry conditions
    • sunburn
    • IBD
    • gastroparesis
    • bites and stings
    • constipation
    • ulcers
    • sluggish digestion
    • poison arrow wounds
    • cold sores
    • shingles
    • pox
    • herpes
    • air purification
    • increasing metabolism

    Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Emotional/Psychological:

    • loss
    • grief
    • patience
    • peace
    • understanding opposition
    • incompatibility
    • compromise
    • stressful transition
    • calming 
    • balance
    • strength
    • harmony
    • togetherness

    Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Energetic/Spiritual:

    • prevention of accidents
    • protection
    • luck
    • feminine energy
    • moon
    • water element

    • resolving conflict

       

      absorbing negative energies from the environment.
    • cleansing 
    • trapping intentions
    • binding
    • recalibrate the body’s frequency
    • heart chakra
    • metal energy
    Typical uses:
    • Fresh: Cut leaf to expose gel. Apply gel topically
    • Capsule (Leaf): 100mg - 5000mg of leaf extract daily as a laxative. For short term use only.
    • Juice (Pulp only): 1-4 ounces daily
    • Tincture (whole pulped leaf) 0.5 - 5ml, three times per day.

    Cautions and Contraindications:

    • Outer leaf  and concentrates should not be used by children, the elderly, or pregnant women.

    Health conditions: Not safe for pregnancy and lactation. Not for use of staph infection as it can seal in the bacteria. People with haemorrhoids, Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis or intestinal obstruction should not take Aloe internally. Neither should persons with kidney conditions, renal disorders, cardiac conditions, or diabetes.

    Known Severe or Moderate  Medication Interactions: - This list is not exhaustive:

    Aloe interacts with diuretics, corticosteroids, heart medications, stimulant laxatives, diabetes medications, and blood thinners amongst others: 




    This medication list is taken from www.hellopharmacist.com and is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. It does not reflect all of the possible interactions and instead, intends to give a flavour of the importance of checking with professionals prior to the use of herbal remedies.

    If you have a diagnosed health condition or are taking any medications, please speak with a qualified herbalist using the webchat function prior to purchase.

     

    *This information refers to the plant type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for historic informative and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*

    (Sources: (Sources: “The Modern Herbal Dispensary” - Thomas Easley and Steven Horne, “The New Holistic Herbal” - David Hoffman, "Healing Herbs" - Neals Yard Remedies, " Kitchen Medicine" - Julie Bruton-Seal & Matthew Seal, Indigo Herbs,  "Cunningham's Encyclopedia" - Scott Cunningam,  hellopharmacist.com)

    Browse our herb range, including Aloe and other herbs here:

    Herbal Remedies – HIPPIE Life UK

     

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