The Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera has a long and unrivaled history, datingsunscreens, moisturizing products and
back to Biblical times. This semi tropical plant hasnutraceuticals. Laboratory analysis has revealed
been mentioned on hundreds of occasions in athe gel portion of the aloe plant is rich in minerals,
multitude of cultures throughout recorded history.vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. It is the
Needless to say, aloe has been earmarked as onesaccharides portion of the aloe plant that has
of the highest ranking herbal and healing plantsgenerated a great deal of research over the past
known to mankind today.decade or so. It is felt that these complex sugar
Many have mistaken aloe for some sort ofchains may play a direct role in immune system
cactus type plant. Quite understandable given theenhancement.
thick, elongated and spiny leaves jutting from aThose of you who have the aloe vera plant as
plant growing so close to the ground. The aloepart of your garden may have witnessed the aloe
vera plant is actually a member of the Tree Lillyplant "heal itself". The upright stiff leaf of the aloe
family known as " aloe barbadensis". Aloe hasplant is held rigid by the pressure of the clear gel
other relations within the Tree Lilly family towithin the leaf. An aloe leave that is cut spurts
include the turnip, onion and garlic families. Thethis clear gel, much like a human would shed blood
connection to the Tree Lilly does go unnoticedafter being cut or scraped. And, much like a
during the springtime when aloe plants blossomhuman cut which scabs over in a few minutes,
with beautiful tubular shaped yellow flowers.the aloe plant produces a rubbery like film over
The aloe plant is both coveted and prolific, with atthe affected area to prevent a further loss of
least 250 different species grown around thefluids.
world. The aloe plant is grown in warm tropicalAlso existing as a houseplant that is relatively
areas as it cannot survive freezing temperatures.easy to maintain, it not uncommon for "those in
Aloe is successfully grown in Africa, Souththe know" to keep a plant in the kitchen in case a
America, Mexico, the Pacific Rim and Australia. Inburn should occur during normal cooking duties. To
the USA aloe can be found growing in Texas,cool the burn and begin its healing, simply tear off
Southern California and Florida.a leaf and apply the cooling clear inner gel.
The original use of the aloe plant on a commercialWhatever your reasons for owning or using this
basis was for the substance called Aloin. Thissucculent perennial plant, make certain that the
yellow sap served as a successful laxative foraloe products you use have the seal of approval
decades, way before prescription laxatives cameas designated by the International Aloe Science
to be. The 1950's brought us what we knowCouncil ( IASC). The IASC exists as a governing
today as the ever common aloe gel. Thisbody to insure that you are indeed purchasing a
wonderful and healing substance can be found infirst-rate product from an approved
beverages, Over The Counter cosmetics andmanufacturer.