You ask me what the secret powers were that kept me strong throughout my life. Well, it was my unwavering faith in God, my simple and frugal lifestyle and Aloe, the beneficial properties of which I discovered when I arrived in South Africa at the end of the 19th century.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, also known as medicinal aloe, is a type of succulent plant that probably originates from North Africa, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
Aloe grows in arid climates and is widely found in Africa and other arid regions. The species is known for its use in alternative therapies using plants. Many scientific studies have been done on its use, proving that aloe vera extracts can be useful in treating wounds and burns as well as treating diabetes and elevated blood lipids.
These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of elements such as polysaccharides, anthraquinone and lectins.
Aloe is a plant, belonging to the category of lilies, which reaches around 60-100 cm in height. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to green-grey, with some varieties showing white spots on the leaf surfaces. The leaf border has small white spines. It produces flowers in the summer from a single stem that reaches 90 cm in height. The flowers have a tubular shape, with a yellow crown that reaches around 2-3 cm.
The species has a number of synonyms: Aloe Barbados Miller, Aloe Indian Royle, Aloe Perfoliata L. ext. gneiss and aloes the common Lam. as well as common names including: Chinese aloe, Indian aloe, true aloe, Barbados aloe, first aid plant.
The genus name vera means true or genuine. Some literature recognizes the white-spotted form of aloe vera as Aloe Vera varietal. Chinensis, however, the species vary in leaf spotting and it has been suggested that the spotted form of aloe may belong to the same genus as Aloe massawana.
The species was first described by Charles Linnaeus in 1753 as Aloe Perfoliata variety Vera and has been described again by Nicolaas Laurens Burman as Aloe Vera in the book Flora Indica on 6 April 1768 and as Aloe Barbadensis by Philip Miller about ten days later after Burman in Gardener's Dictionary.
Techniques based on DNA comparison suggest that Aloe gneiss is closely related to Aloe Perryi, a species endemic to Yemen. Similarly, comparison of chloroplast DNA suggests that Aloe gneiss is closely related to Aloe Forbesii, Aloe Inermis, Aloe Scobinifolia, Aloe Sinkatana and Aloe Striata.
Apart from the South African species, Aloe Striata, these species of aloe are found in Socotra (Yemen), Somalia and Sudan. The apparent lack of natural populations of these species has led some researchers to suggest that Aloe gneiss may be of hybrid origin.
Useful Information
- Historic use: 5000
- Varieties: ~300
- Height: 60-100 cm
- Ingredients: 200
Aloe Vera Properties
Use and treatment
The properties of aloe vary because it can be applied as a therapy in many situations since it contains over 200 ingredients.
We can use the gel of the leaves, but we can also consume it as a drink. Aloe gel moisturizes deeply and penetrates all layers of the skin, so it is the ideal medicine for cuts, burns, spots and all kinds of skin conditions, it also facilitates the healing and regeneration of wounds.
When we consume aloe in its juice form, it stimulates the body and thus has a great antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect.
It acts preventively in cases of flu and cold as well as cleaning the organs and improving their functions. It is extremely beneficial in any kind of cosmetic use due to its strong regenerative properties.
It also helps to rejuvenate the scalp and to treat acne, constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcers, acne, colitis, gingivitis, herpes, inflammation, stomach disorders, sore throat and many more symptoms.
Aloe, Therapeutic properties:
Sun protection
Burn healing
Reduction of hair loss
Limitation of bruising from impact
Athlete’s foot
Minor cuts, abrasions and eczema
Arthritis
Hemorrhoids
Colpitis
Toothache and oral hygiene
Acne and psoriasis
Improvement of circulation
Four vegetables are available to keep a person in good health: wheat, grapes, olives and aloes. Wheat nourishes, the grape develops the mind, the olive brings harmony and the Aloe heals.
How can I use Aloe vera?
Making aloe vera juice
Mix two teaspoonfuls of Aloe jelly in a glass of water (250ml). For one litre of juice, cut a 10-15cm piece of leaf. You can use all the jelly from one leaf and make juice. Store in the fridge. With one aloe leaf you can make about three litres of juice.
Aloe gel extraction
Place the aloe leaf on a cutting board and with a knife cut to the size you need. Slice it open in half and use a spoon to carefully remove the jelly from the leaf. For external use, e.g. for your face or for a bruise, cut a 1cm piece.
Advice on the use of Aloe during the summer months
You can fill ice cube trays or packs with Aloe gel from the blender and put them in the freezer so that, when needed, you can simply add two ice cubes to the juice or make any cold drink more refreshing.
Aloe vera and beauty
Aloe can be used as a night cream for tired eyes, a moisturizer for oily and mixed skin, a lip balm for chapped lips, or a face/body mask for velvety skin.
Ingredients
Vitamins
Aloe contains vitamins A, C and D, the best known for “anti-ageing”.
Lignin
A substance that plays a role in regulating metabolism and, therefore, in regulating obesity
Saponite
A natural mineral with cleansing and antiseptic properties
Malic acid
The ingredient which helps diabetics regulate their blood sugar
Enzymes
These break down carbohydrates, making them more digestible. They also facilitate the breakdown and absorption of fat and remove triglycerides from the capillaries.
Amino acids
It has 18 of the 20 amino acids which are the basic building blocks of proteins.
Anthraquinones
These act as natural antibiotics as they have antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Salicylic acid
A key ingredient of aspirin which has a pain-relieving effect
Steroids
These consist of natural cortisone, so their presence helps to reduce cholesterol and any allergic reactions.
Essential oils
Antiseptics, bactericides that can act against viruses. Germs do not develop resistance to them and they have no adverse side effects.
Properties and Applications of Aloe
- It is a natural cleaner due to the presence of saponites.
- It penetrates tissues due to lignites.
- It anesthetizes the tissues in the area where it is used, relieving pain deep below the surface, including pain associated with joints and muscles.
- It kills bacteria when used in high concentration for a few hours in direct contact with bacteria, unlike antibiotics which kill bacteria at high dilution.
- It acts as a coagulant by stopping or reducing bleeding.
- It is virucidal and fungicidal when it remains in direct contact for a long period of time at high level of concentration.
- It is fever reducing.
- It is anti-inflammatory.
- It is antipruritic. So it stops itching and burning.
- It is a natural moisturizer, bringing moisture to all layers of the skin, stimulating mitosis (cell division) and enhancing the growth of new cells.
- Proteolytic enzymes break down dead tissue to clean wounds.
- It increases circulation in the skin as it causes dilatation of the blood vessels.