ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera is one of about 250 species of aloes. The aloes are numbers of the lily family (liliaceous) and are relatives of such common as tulips.

Aloe Vera is a leafy succulent that a rosette fashion on hot well drained soils. The leaves are spotted when young but take on a uniform light green color with age. They can reach 2 feet in length and are edged soft spines. Older plants produce an 18 inch long stalk from the centre of the rosette that is topped with nodding cylindrical yellow flower about one inch long.

It is bitter shiny and can be collected as an exudate from cut leaves or squeezed from the pulp of the leaves. Leaves from all aloes have long been credited with healing properties but the especially inculent aloe Vera is valued most. 

In the past leaves were sliced and laid on the skin to relieve itching and to heal burns, minor burns, wrinkles, insect bites, skin irritation, cuts and scratches. Consumer may be familiar with aloe Vera because extract of its sap are found in my hand lotion and other skin care products.

Aloe Vera makes a sturdy long lived house plant as it is given plenty of sunlight and is not over watered. Many home gardeners grow it on a window sill so the sap is ready available.

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