SPECIES:
Aloe Vera

DESCRIPTION:
The evergreen, stemless perennial forms a dense rosette of leaves with irregular white marks, and a spike of yellow flowers.

CHARACTER:
Leaves: bitter, hot, moist.
Gel: salty, bitter, cool, moist

CONSTITUENSTS:
Anthraquinone glycosides, resins, polysaccharides, sterols, gelonins, chromones.

USES:
The plant has remarkable qualities. Two parts are used: the clear, gel like central leaf pulp, and the yellow-green juice from the green part of the leaf. The gel is used in creams to soothe, heal, and moisturize the skin, and in shampoos for dry , itchy scalps. It cools the skin, protects it from airborne infections and fungi, and reduces scarring. It speeds cell regeneration, and so treats radiation burns, coral wounds, and Poison Ivy rash. Compounds in the leaf juice are added to sun creams for protection against UV rays, and have shown anti-cancer activity.

APPLICATIONS:

GEL
Fresh: Apply the split leaf directly to burns, wounds, dry skin, fungal infections and insect bites. Take up to 2 tablespoons in a glass of water or fruit juice, three times a day, as a tonic.

Ointment: Split several leaves to collect a lare quantity of gel, and boil it down to a thick paste. Store in clean jars in a cool place and use as the fresh leaves.

Tonic Wine: Fermented Aloe gel with honey and spices is known as kumaryasava in India, and is used as a tonic, poor digestive function and liver disorders for anemia, poor digestive function and liver disorders.

Inhalation: Use the gel in a steam inhalation for bronchial congestion.

Powder: Use 100-500 mg per dose or in capsules as a purgative for stubborn constipation and to stimulate bile flow.

CAUTIONS
Avoid in pregnancy as the anthraquinone glycosides are strongly purgative. High doses of the leaves can cause vomiting.