Aloe vera is the common name for the Aloe barbadensis aloe variety. This plant is the quintessential hydrator. To ones skin in the form of aloe vera gel and butter but also as a juice to hydrate and cleanse the body.
Aloe Vera is such a giving plant. Its thick flesh is clear and rich in antioxidants which help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals — also known as oxidative stress. Research has shown that chronic oxidative stress can increase the risk of some health conditions, including heart disease and even some cancers.
Aloe butter which is extracted using coconut oil contains all the key properties of Aloe Vera. Its skin soothing and restoring, with rapid re-hydration properties to quickly hydrate and moisturise the skin. Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory properties and contains lignin which aids its ability to draw in other ingredients into the skin layers. This makes Aloe Butter the perfect butter to blend with essential oils intended for the skin. We use Aloe Vera Butter in our Gardener’s Hand Salve which helps to draw in our added ingredients in this salve oils to aid protection and healing to hard working hands.
I dropped in to an Asian Produce Shop in Truro yesterday and came across a literal leaf of the Aloe Vera. It was longer than my arm and think and dense. You can't believe the excitement I felt. The brown bag it was in said it had been grown in Spain so of course I could not resist and I bought this most unusual leaf. This morning I sliced the green outer layer of skin off, this is very important as the green skin is not edible, and revealed a thick chunk of clear, slimy flesh. Popped this into my blender with some coconut water for a little sweetness and then added some of my homemade kombucha. What a soothing and delicious drink to have first thing in the morning. Plus I haven’t felt hungry, which was over 5 hours ago.
Study’s have observed that aloe juice improves both blood sugar and blood fatty acid levels in those with pre-diabetes. Aloe vera juice contains anthraquinone glycosides. These are plant compounds with laxative effects so may help with digestive imbalances. Other research shows promising results for using aloe vera extract to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If its any plant anyone can grow in their home it’s the Aloe Vera. This way you will always have a supply of this healing gel to use on summer sunburns and home burns in general. They are forgiving plants and reproduce by creating baby plants so you can share them with your friends. Truly a wonder healer.