Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a cactus-like succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves. The aloe family probably originated in Africa, but it has been cultivated all over the world for centuries. The leaves contain two different substances that have long been used for medicinal purposes. The first is a transparent gel-like substance commonly used as an ointment. The second is the inner part of the leaf surrounding this gel, which contains a yellowish compound called aloe latex.
Health Benefits
The gel from aloe vera leaves has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and numerous other skin conditions. More recently, promising research in both animal and human studies suggests that topical aloe gel has immune-balancing properties that improve skin inflammation.
It is thought that the moisturizing, emollient, and healing properties of aloe are due in part to its polysaccharides—long-chain carbohydrates such as aloeride and acemannan—as well as numerous powerful antioxidants. These work together to exhibit the immune-boosting, antiviral, and healing effects that become so evident when you apply aloe to your skin.
Aloe vera may also be the most important plant ever discovered for digestive health. Odds are high that you or a member of your family suffers from some sort of digestive disorder. More than 60 million North Americans suffer from frequent heartburn, 15 million experience it daily, 25 million have been treated for ulcers at some point in their life, and more than 30 million qualify for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
The dried aloe latex has long been taken orally as a laxative. Aloe vera juice also contains a natural acid buffer called calcium malate (also known as malic acid). Drinking homegrown aloe juice will not only reduce the acid in your stomach immediately, but over time it will continue to buffer the hydrochloric acid your stomach produces and heal any tissue damaged by acid erosion due to heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Aloe vera was known to the Egyptians more than 6,000 years ago as the “plant of immortality,” and Cleopatra reportedly used it to improve the beauty of her skin. The ancient Greeks thought of aloe as a “miracle health plant,” and Alexander the Great is said to have conquered certain territories specifically to secure control of the plant.
Growing
Aloe vera is inexpensive and easy to grow. It can be found almost any time of year at garden centres and big box stores. I think it’s a must-have, whether you enjoy it as a houseplant or as a potted plant in your landscape. The key is to give it as much sun as possible and not to overwater. Aloe doesn’t require fertilizer, and the more you leave it alone the better it grows!
Common Varieties: There are almost 500 varieties of Aloe, and several produce the latex used for medicinal purposes. But Aloe vera (which means “true aloe”) is the only species that yields the iconic gel that is so wonderful for the skin.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 9 to 11; can be grown indoors
TIME TO PLANT
Can be grown indoors year round; pots can be placed outdoors after all risk of frost has passed
TIME TO HARVEST
Harvest mature, rooted plants only: they should have 3 to 5 leaf stems
LOCATION
Full to part sun. Indoors: direct light in west- or south-facing window. Outdoors: indirect light at first to allow the plant time to adapt, then move into full sun
SOIL TYPE
Sandy; use potting soil formulated for cacti
PLANT
Aloe is so readily available and inexpensive that you may simply want to buy it. However, one of the reasons it is so inexpensive is that it’s easy to grow! Take a cutting measuring 6 to 12 cm (2.5 to 5 inches) from a healthy leaf. Lay the cutting in a dry location for up to a week and allow the cut end to dry out or “scab.” This reduces the risk of disease when rooting. Next, get a pot measuring 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) with good drainage (clay pots are ideal) and fill with store-bought cactus mix soil. Place the cutting into the soil with about a third of the leaf covered. Keep the soil moist for approximately 7 to 10 days, then reduce watering thereafter.
Here you can see both the aloe gel and the aloe latex—the yellowish inner edge of the plant.
GROW
Overwatering is the number 1 reason people fail at growing aloe vera. Remember, it’s a drought-tolerant plant, and once rooted it prefers to be dry. Depending on the amount of light and humidity in your home or landscape, aloe vera may need as little as one watering per month. Test by placing your finger into the soil: only water if the soil feels completely dry to the touch. Another indicator of lack of water is leaves that become thin and curl.
Here’s a good way to determine if your aloe is getting the right amount of light. Leaves turning brown? Your aloe is getting too much direct sun. Leaves lying flat? Your aloe is not getting enough sun.
HARVEST
Aloe vera can be harvested as soon as the plants are mature and healthy: The leaves should be fleshy and green and 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches) long. Use the outermost leaves first, since these should be the oldest and largest.
Remove the leaf using a sharp, clean knife (1), slicing close to its base and away from the centre of the plant. A straight, clean cut is a must! Rinse the leaf and then soak it in a bowl with 3 cups of cold water mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for about an hour to allow the yellowish latex to release into the water.
Cut around the perimeter of the leaf to remove the serrated edges (2, 3), and then remove the skin by running the knife underneath it and peeling away (4). Presto, you’re left with the pure gel!
STORE
Aloe vera is best used fresh, so I recommend harvesting it as needed. However, the leaves can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. Some people place it in a resealable bag and freeze it, but I don’t recommend this (it will lose potency). Fresh is always best.
Put It to Work
Can’t go? Drink some aloe!
A simple and effective formula to maintain soft stools and bowel regularity is to combine aloe gel with fibre and to drink this daily for 1 week.
Collect the aloe gel from 6 to 8 large leaves (about 6 ounces) as described on the opposite page, or simply peel away the rind from the leaves and squeeze out the gel. Transfer the gel to a blender, add 2 ounces of freshly squeezed citrus juice (orange, lemon, or grapefruit), and 1 teaspoon of psyllium powder or wheat bran. Blend on high speed until smooth. Drink immediately.
Heartburn? Drink up!
Here’s how to make your own aloe juice. Using a very sharp knife, carefully peel away the rind from as many aloe leaves as necessary to extract 6 ounces of gel. Discard the rind. Peel away the top yellow layer (the aloe latex) and discard. Transfer the aloe gel to a blender and add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon and ½ cup of water. Blend on high speed until smooth (but not frothy). Drink immediately.
Sunburn or skin irritation? Aloe is soothing!
Evidence suggests aloe may aid healing of mild-to-moderate sunburn, eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. All you need to do is cut 3 medium-sized leaves from the aloe plant. Squeeze the gel out of the leaves into a sterile glass container. Add 2 ice cubes and stir gently to cool the aloe gel. Dip a clean paper towel or cotton swab into the liquid and apply liberally to affected areas. Repeat 3 to 5 times daily to speed healing, or as needed for relief.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the health food store or the web to purchase AloeCure pure aloe juice or equivalent. Follow the instructions on the label.
Cautions
There aren’t many negative side effects from using aloe gel as a topical application; it is rare to have allergies to aloe. Recognize its limitations, however, and seek medical attention for severe burns.
Because aloe contains anthraquinones (compounds with laxative qualities), it should not be ingested by anyone with inflammatory intestinal diseases, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It should also not be used by children or by women during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Aloe latex should not be used as a laxative for more than 10 consecutive days.