Aloe

Aloe (Agave) is a genus of plant that has more than 150 species. Agave

is native to South Africa but has been brought to America and is best-known

here as American aloe (Agave americana), or century plant.

An aloe plant has a short stem, fleshy, lanceolate leaves that form in

rosettes at the end of each stem, and red or yellow tubular flowers in dense

clusters. The different species of aloe differ in size from a few centimeters to

more than thirty feet. The plant only blooms one time between the ages of ten

and twenty-five. When it finally does bloom, the plant grows a long stalk that

grows rapidly up to about fourty foot.

The aloe plant is very helpful in making many medicines. The plant is

ninety-six percent water and the rest contains active ingredients including

essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins.

Powered aloe juice (sap) is a laxative. Modern healers have used it since the

1930's. Many liquid health treatments are made, some combining aloe juice with

other plants and herbs. The juice is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as

colitis and peptic ulcers. Aloe vera gel is used to; heal wounds, heal ulcers,

and speed up the healing process of burns by putting a protective coating on the

affected area.

As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and

lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions. Aloe

contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the

stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to

prevent overacidity - a common cause of indigestion.

To make many of the medicines the plant must be crushed or taken apart.

Aloe vera gel is made by pulverizing the whole leaves of the plant. Aloe juice is

made from the inner leaf.

In conclusion, the aloe plant is very helpful in medicine and everyone

could use to have an aloe plant on hand. You never know when you will get a

bad sun-burn, with the aloe plant all you have to do is break off a leaf and rub

the gel on your bun, it provides instant relief.