Aloe vera is widely known as a medicinal herb. It is a common houseplant and is best known for the sticky gel inside its leaves. The gel of the aloe vera plant can be used straight from the plant to relieve many ailments. The gel is also often processed to make it more appealing and so it can be sold by manufactures.
Aloe vera is native to Africa, but can be grown almost anywhere that it is not exposed to harsh winter weather. In North America it is most often kept as a houseplant. Aloe vera comes in many varieties. In general, though, it has fleshy green leaves. The plant itself is made up of these leaves with no stems. Aloe vera is rather easy to car for and requires little more than an occasional watering. The plant should not be over watered, though, as the leaves will become mushy and the roots will rot.
The main use for aloe vera is as a topical agent to sooth skin burns and it is a very popular sunburn relief medication. Aloe vera is also used on wounds as it is able to speed up healing time. It also helps to fight infection. The gel is usually clear, but the leaves also contain a brown liquid called aloin. Aloin can be used to help treat constipation. Aloe also helps prevent scarring and is very gentle on the skin.
Aloe vera is used often in many skin care and make up
products. It has great moisturizing properties.
Many people simply grow it as a houseplant and then tear off a leaf to
get the gel whenever it is needed. Aloe is very easy to grow
and very plentiful, so even over the counter aloe products are
inexpensive and easy to find.