Background: Used in Egypt by the Mahometans, Aloe was revered as a religious icon and was hung in the doorways as a symbol to protect the household from evil. Ancient Jews adopted this practice in Cairo.
Aloe was used by the Greeks and imported to Europe and East India. Aloe is mentioned in many ancient script, including the Bible as it is reported to have been used to preserve the body of Jesus Christ. Aside from being a religious symbol, it also held value as an incense.
Aloe is used as an ornamental plant and has been used in place of soap in Jamaica. Others prefer to use it as a cleaning element to scrub utensils or as a thread once the material inside the leaves are dried and spun.
Applications: Beauty
Research has continually been conducted on the benefits of this plant since the 1930s in Russian and the United States.
Beauty: Historically, Cleopatra was said to have used Aloe in her beauty regime. Its gel has a soothing quality and contributes to a supple appearance.
Description: Aloe is grown in the tropics and is native to Africa. It's cultivated as a potted plant. They have been known to grow up to 60 feet in height with stems as much as 10 feet in circumference.
The plants are perennial and woody with branches that produce fleshy leaves that protrude from the upper part of the root. There are different varieties of Aloe plants, all having slightly various appearances.
When it's harvested, the leaves can be broken off to expose the healing gel oozing from the leaf. The leaves are cut and drained so that the gel can be collected and processed for use. If dried, the liquid inside the leaves is known as "bitter aloes."
Safety: Should not use Aloe orally if pregnant, nursing, or menstruating. Bitter juice from the base of the Aloe leaves should not be applied directly to the skin.
