Essay, Research Paper: Aloe

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.