Aloe Vera

Origin: Arabian Peninsula

Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Scientific Name: Aloe vera

Folk Names: Burn plant, medicine plant

Magical

Element: Water
Day: Friday
Planet: The Moon
Moon Phase: Full moon
Zodiac: Cancer
Deities: Amun Ra, Artemis, moon goddesses, Venus, Vulcan

Parts Used: Leaves, gel

Magical Properties: Healing, love, luck, protection, success

Lore

Aloe vera is first recorded as being used medicinally in ancient Egypt (1550 BCE). It was also included in De Materia Medica and Natural History, both published in the first century CE.

Magical Uses

• Aloe plants guard against evil.
• Grow Aloe vera in the kitchen to protect against burns and accidents.
• Burn aloe vera on the night of the full moon to attract a new lover by the new moon.

Medicinal

Medicinal Properties:

• Moisturising
• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Helps minor burns

Parts Used: Gel, latex.

Medicinal Uses:

• Good for insect bites.
• Extremely moisturising.
• Laxative effect (latex, taken orally).
• Can help with psoriasis and skin damage from radiation treatment.
• Amazing for acne, cuts, bruises, abrasions: helps heal, protect, and reduce scarring.
• Diabetes: can reduce blood sugar and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes, and can improve cholesterol levels.
• Burns: improves healing, improves itching (vs corticosteroid medication) with chemical burns, helps with healing time and wound size in 1st & 2nd degree burns.

Interactions (internal use):

• Diuretics
• Digoxin (lanolin)
• Warfarin (coumadin)
• Diabetes medications
• Oral drugs (due to laxative effect)
• Sevoflurane (ultane) stimulant laxatives

Warnings:

• Do not take orally if pregnant, breastfeeding, intestinal conditions, haemorrhoids, or kidney problems.

Practical

Culinary

Aloe juice is a popular drink in much of the world.

Beauty

Aloe is a great ingredient for use in beauty products like facial cleansers, moisturisers, hand sanitisers, or hair gels.

Botanical

Type: Evergreen succulent
Plant size: 60-100cm
Leaves: Long, thick/fleshy green leaves with a serrated/toothed edge. Some varieties tend more towards grey, and/or have white spots.
Flowers: Flower spike in summer up to 90cm high, with several tubular yellow flowers 2-3cm long.

In the Garden

Type: Perennial
Light: Bright-medium light
Water: Keep dry
Soil: Well-drained

Tips:

• Don’t over-water
• Divide offshoots in summer, and follow by giving the parent plan a good liquid feed.
• Aloes are not frost-tolerant, and should be moved inside over winter in frost-prone areas.