Aloe vera
Jekkapedia
Aloe vera, Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Bitter Aloes
Family: Asphodelacea
Genus: Aloe
Yellow or orange bell-shaped flowers appear on mature plants. Green/grey fleshy spear shape leaves with spiny edges. Medicinal; the gel from the centre of the leaf can be applied to minor burns.
Characteristics:
Aloe can be seen at the herb farm in Jekka’s Herbetum and is available to buy as herb plants.
Details
Growing
Medicinal
A familiar houseplant, the fleshy leaves of Aloe vera contain a clear gel that has been widely marketed in skin products for conditions where soothing and cooling actions are helpful, such as sunburn, superficial burns, haemorrhoids and other circumstances where the skin is angry and inflamed.
Internal use of the gel has been considered to help those with digestive problems, particularly where there is thought to be related to inflammation or irritability of the lining of the bowel.
Caution: Internal use of Aloe vera may interfere with some heart medications and steroids.
Please note: The information provided here is for educational interest only and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat significant health problems. Any serious or long-term health concerns should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
See our blog for more information about the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
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