Native to North Africa and a member of the family Liliaceae, aloe vera fares well as a houseplant or in the outdoor landscape. This perennial succulent contains approximately 96 percent water, combined with a host of vitamins and minerals, including zinc and vitamins C and E. The aloe vera plant is also chock-full of essential oils, amino acids, fatty acids, polysaccharides and glycoproteins, utilized throughout the ages for topical treatments and healing tonics.
Identification
The mature aloe vera plant grows to a height of approximately 36 inches. The thick, fleshy leaves of the plant are green-gray in appearance with serrated edges. Each of the leaves consist of four layers, which includes the rind, sap, mucilage gel and the inner gel. The rind is the outer protective layer of the leaf, lined with the bitter sap that makes the taste of the leaves undesirable to wildlife. The soft pulp of the mucilage gel lies beneath the sap, covering the inner gel, or aloe vera gel, which is the essence of the plant.
Geography
Semi-tropical, the aloe vera plant only grows in areas that are free of freezing temperatures. Aloe vera prefers the sunny, well-drained soils of USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, where the winter temperatures do not drop any lower than 30 degrees F. Outside of these zones, the aloe vera plant must grow indoors, in a pot filled with damp potting soil. Bright, indirect sunlight is required for healthy growth.
History
Ancient recordings that date back to 1500 B.C. reveal that aloe vera aided the Egyptians in the healing of burns, infections and the removal of parasites from the body. Records indicate that even Cleopatra herself used the gel of the aloe vera plant on her skin to maintain her youthful appearance. The Ancient Indians and Chinese also utilized aloe vera in their holistic practices. Used for centuries in the Philippines, aloe vera combined with milk helps to combat kidney infections.
Benefits
The gel of the aloe vera plant has found a place in modern medicine. In fact, The Mayo Clinic reports that the gel has shown promising results in the treatment and relief of constipation and wound healing. Anti-inflammatory properties found in aloe vera gel can help speed the healing of skin ulcers, canker sores and burns. The soothing gel also has the potential to calm dry skin and relieve dermatitis. Research is still underway when it comes to determining if aloe vera has any useful effects on cancer, HIV or diabetes.
Warnings
As with most medicinal plants, aloe vera does have its drawbacks. Internal use can cause changes in urine color and cause dangerously low levels of potassium in diabetes patients that utilize the plant to help control their disease. Prolonged internal use can also result in diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramping. While the topical use of aloe vera has little known side effects, a rash or a skin allergy may occur. Seek medical advice before using any part of the plant for internal or topical use.
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