The Healing Powers of Aloe Vera
Aloe is a succulent plant that has a long history of medicinal use. Aloe vera specifically refers to the Aloe barbadensis Miller plant, which is the most common form used in aloe-based products.
Aloe Vera’s use in healing can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the “plant of immortality,” aloe was presented as a funeral gift to pharaohs.
The plant is native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands. It grows naturally in dry, tropical climates in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the southern and western parts of the United States.
There are at least 420 different plant species of Aloe (some sources say there are more than 500!), according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Aloe produces two substances that are used for health-related purposes: gel and latex.
The gel is the clear, jelly-like substance found in the inner part of the aloe plant leaf. It is extracted from the plant and usually used on the skin to treat burns, wounds, and various skin conditions.
Aloe latex is a pulp that comes from just under the plant’s skin and is yellow in color. It has been shown to have laxative properties.
Some aloe products are made from the whole crushed leaf, so they contain both gel and latex.
Aloe vera is used in many products in various forms, including drinks, concentrates, capsules, and powders.
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