Aloe vera barbadensis
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera's healing properties
How to use aloe vera
Aloe vera side-effects
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera is a short-stemmed or stem-less succulent plant growing to 60-100 cm (24-39 inch) tall. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties having white flecks on the leaves. The edge of the leaf is serrated with small white teeth. It is a hardy plant, thriving in warm, dry, sunny conditions.
Aloe vera leaves contain two fluids, with differing effects and properties. The green surface of the leaves exudes a green-yellow latex-like sap called aloin. Aloin is a bitter-tasting laxative and irritant.
If you peel the outer green skin off the leaf, the inside is transparent, sticky and mucous. It yields a clear, mucous-like fluid with many healing properties. All species of aloe vera yield this fluid, but the species that seems to be the most effective and widely used is aloe vera barbadensis. This fluid may be used on the skin, and taken orally.
Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years, and has no known side effects provided the aloin has been removed.
Aloe vera's healing properties
- Astringent.
- Antibiotic (some bacteria).
- Fungicide.
- Antioxidant.
- Analgesic.
- Antihistamine.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Antiperspirant.
- Antipruritic.
- Demulcent.
- Diuretic.
- Detoxicant.
- Vermifuge.
- Vulnerary.
- Emollient.
- Cosmetic.
- Antipyretic.
How to use aloe vera
Whenever I have any kind of skin problem, fresh aloe vera from a plant on my balcony is the first option. From a large leaf I cut a small piece, and peel off the skin with a vegetable peeler. Another way is to cut the leaf along its length, and then scoop out the gel with a sharp spoon. If any yellow / green aloin is on it, wash it off with water. I then rub the clear mucous gel on my skin. I also eat the clear sticky gel, and put it in my juice, taking care NOT to use the bitter green aloin from the outer green skin. The clear gel soothes and cools, and is traditionally used for a youthful skin.
Obviously it is preferable to grow the plant yourself, and use a small piece of fresh leaf. If you have to buy it, your only option is to try to get the freshest, least-processed product that you can. Aloe vera can dry the skin, so avoid skin products that contain alcohol, which can exaggerate the drying effect.
Aloe vera penetrates the skin very effectively. When you use it on your skin, make sure the skin is clean, not covered with a layer of oil or cream. On a clean skin, aloe vera is quickly absorbed.
It is particularly useful for:
- Sunburn.
- Burns.
- Skin ailments, particularly inflammatory skin conditions.
- Acne.
- Eczema.
- Arthritis.
- Oily skin.
Aloe vera side-effects
Fresh aloe vera leaves that have had the aloin properly removed are generally safe to use, and very rarely causes any side-effects. Side-effects and reactions are usually caused by poor quality contaminated juice, or impure, low-quality commercial products.
- Allergic Reactions. A few people are actually allergic to aloe vera, but don't confuse allergic skin rashes with the detox effect that often occurs when you first start drinking aloe vera as it detoxifies the body. If it is a problem simply reduce the dose to slow down the natural process that is taking place internally.
- The following reactions usually occur because the juice was off (rotten), poor quality, or too much was taken at one time:
- Nausea / vomiting.
- Stomach pain / cramps.
- Diarrhoea.