Healing Gardens

Body:

 

Aloe Vera

Family Name: English

Family Name: Asphodelaceae (4:18)

Tree Lily Family or Aphodel

Latin Name

:Aloe vera

Genus species: Aloe A. vera

Common Names:

A. barbadensis, A.vulgaris Aloe barbadensis , Curacao aloes, Barbados aloes, first-aid plant, medicine plant (6:online)

Related Species: A. arborescens, Aloe aristata, Aloe dichotoma, Aloe hereroensis, Aloe pervensus,

Body System Affiliations

:

1.Skin

2. First Aid

3. Digestive system

Botanical Description:

Habit:

Herb , Perennial

Size: growing up to 1.5 metres in height (6:online)

Arrangement: Alternate, Opposite or Whorled

Leaves: Size, Shape The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with a serrated margin. (2:online) narrow lanceolate leaves up to 60cm long.The leaves are whitish green on both sides and bear spiny teeth on the margins (6:online)

Flowers: The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2-3 cm long.

The yellow to purplish drooping flowers grow in a long raceme at the top of the flower stalk (6:online)

Fruit:The fruit is a triangular capsule containing numerous seeds (6:online)

Underground Parts: fibrous root,

Personal Observation and Description: My aloe plant has very serrated leaves and also has white spots all over the leaves. Little brown dead leaves dangle over the sides of the pot.
Ecology:

Habitat:

dry disturbed areas

Range: Not found
Native Where: Africa

Personal Observation of Locations Observed, Dates and Description of Plants:

I have only seen this plant growing in pots, not outside.

Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:
Food: Leaves and seeds are edible (2:online)
Materials/Technology: derivatives from aloe vera are put into many cosmetics, soaps, and lotions.(6:online)

Medicine:
Part Used: Juice of leaves

Medicinal Actions:laxative, antibacterial, antifungal(3:online) emollient, demulcent (4:18) astringent (5:89)

Stimulating laxative, purgative, cathartic, choleretic, emmenagogue, uterine stimulant, abortifacient, anthelmintic (6:online)

Indications:

Constipation.(5:89,6:online)

Topically for wounds and burns (6:online)various skin conditions such as cuts, burns blisters, insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, athlete's foot, fungus, vaginal infections, conjunctivitis, sties, allergic reactions, and dry skin. eczema. acne, sunburn, frostbite, shingles, screening out x-ray radiation, psoriasis, preventing scarring, rosacea, warts, wrinkles from aging, and eczema. Some find it useful for athlete’s foot and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. (2:online, 4:18)

coughs,

diabetes, cancer, headaches, arthritis, immune-system deficiencies, and asthma can be aided by taking Aloe vera internally.(3:online)

Taken orally, aloe also appears to work on heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain and asthma, and studies have shown that it has an effect on lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. Other situations in which it appears to work when taken internally include congestion, intestinal worms, indigestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, liver problems such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, kidney infections, urinary tract infections, prostate problems, and as a general detoxifier.(3:online, 4:18)

Gum disease (3:online)

diarrhea, varicose viens, also used in the treatment of AIDS (5:89)

I have heard that aloe vera can be used for hair loss but I am not sure if this is externally or internally.

Body System Associations: skin, first aid, and digestive system

Constituents: Phytochemicals: Amemannan, betacarotene

Nutrients: amino acids, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium,zinc, and vitamins A,B, C, and E (5:89)

Hydroxyanthracene derivatives of the anthrone type (principally barbaloin); 7-hydroxyaloin isomers, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and their glycosides; chromone derivatives (aloesin and its derivatives aloeresins A and C, and the aglycone aloesone. Gel: glucomannan (a polysaccharide), steroids, organic acids, enzymes, antibiotic principles, amino acids, saponins, minerals. (6:online)

Applications: tinctures, gel used topically, juice internally

Preparation: the lower leaf is sliced open, the gel obtained can be applied on the affected area topically.

Pharmacy: The gel of raw aloe vera can be used topically numerous times a day to help soothe inflammation and skin irritations.

Reason/Purpose: to relieve sunburn

Experience: Limited-I have only used aloe topically for sunburn.

 

Other: Of the 240+ species of Aloe, only four are recognized as having nutritional value (1: online) Cleopatra is said to have used Aloe topically. Aloe has been thought to provide protection and luck: to own an aloe plant was supposed to prevent household accidents. (4:18)

Cautions: Aloe's side effects can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and electrolyte imbalances when taken internally. (3:online) Do not use internally with other diuretics. Consult doctor before internal use if you have heart problems. Avoid aloe preparations if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating, as it can cause uterine contractions.

Overdosage can cause gastritis, diarrhoea and nephritis. As Aloes stimulates uterine contractions, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Also, because it is excreted in breast milk, it should be avoided during lactation as it may be purgative to the child. It should also be avoided in kidney disorders, haemorrhoids or irritable bowel conditions. Aloes should be taken for a maximum of 8-10 days (6:online)

Other: It is used as a flavouring ingredient in low concentrations and aloe vera gel is an ingredient of many cosmetic preparations and sun creams. It is used as a paint to discourage nail biting due to its intensely bitter taste . (6:online)

Indigenous and Non-Western Use/significance/relationships: none found

Energetics: cooling, moistening

Harvest:
Plant part: leaves
Season of harvest: anytime
Method of harvest: Just remove leaves close to the base of the plant
Storage: none found
Cautions: Aloe's side effects can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and electrolyte imbalances when taken internally. (3:online) Do not use internally with other diuretics. Consult doctor before internal use if you have heart problems. Avoid aloe preparations if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating, as it can cause uterine contractions.

Overdosage can cause gastritis, diarrhoea and nephritis. As Aloes stimulates uterine contractions, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Also, because it is excreted in breast milk, it should be avoided during lactation as it may be purgative to the child. It should also be avoided in kidney disorders, haemorrhoids or irritable bowel conditions. Aloes should be taken for a maximum of 8-10 days (6:online)

References Cited

1. Author Unknown. Aloe Vera Studies Organization at http://aloe-vera.org/. visited 4/20/2007

2. Author unknown. Wikipedia info at http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera visited 4/20/2007

3. Lulinki, Beth and Cathy Kapica. Quackwatch info at http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aloe.html Visited 4/22/07

4.Byers, Dorie. Herbal Remedy Gardens. Pownal, Vermont: Storey Books, 1999

5. Balch, Phyllis and James Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. NY,NY: Penguin Putnam Inc. 2000