Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Soothe Those Wounds

Family: Liliaceae; (includes lily, tulip, garlic)

Genus and species: Aloe Vera

Also known as: Cape, Barbados, Curaiao, Socotrine, or Zanzibar Aloe

Parts used: The jellylike gel found in the leaves, and the bitter, yellow juice (latex) extracted from specialized cells of the leaves’ inner skin

Every kitchen should have a potted aloe on the windowsill. That way, when minor burns, scalds, or cuts occur, it’s easy to cut off one of the thick, fleshy leaves and squeeze its clear gel onto the injury. Aloe gel dries into a natural bandage. It may promote wound healing and help prevent infection.

Another part of aloe, the latex (extracted from special cells on its inner leaf skin), is a powerful laxative-so potent, in fact, that many authorities say it should not be taken internally.

A Cause of War

Aloe has been used in healing since the dawn of history. Egyptian medical writings from 1500 S.c. recommend it for infections, skin problems, and as a laxative-uses supported by modern science.

Aloe is one of the few non-narcotic plants to cause a war.

When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 B.C., he heard of a plant with amazing wound-healing powers on an island off Somalia. Intent on healing his soldiers’ wounds and denying this healer to his enemies-Alexander sent an army to seize the island and the plant, which turned out to be aloe.

The Greek physician Dioscorides recommended aloe externally for wounds, hemorrhoids, ulcers, and hair loss. The Roman naturalist Pliny prescribed it internally as a laxative.

Arab traders carried aloe from Spain to Asia around the 6th century and introduced it to India’s traditional Ayurvedic physicians, who used it to treat skin problems, intestinal worms, and menstrual discomforts. Chinese healers used it similarly.

More recently, pioneers used aloe gel to treat wounds, burns, and hemorrhoids. These uses continue to this day.