Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is that plant that every grandma kept in the kitchen window for burns, bites, and bad days. You know it. The green wand you crack open after a sunburn. The gel your mom smeared on a skinned knee. But aloe isn’t just a houseplant or a skin-care ingredient- it’s one of the oldest and most widely used medicinal plants on the planet. This succulent is a desert-born healer, a water holder in dry times, and a botanical first responder with over 6,000 years of service.

Aloe vera likely originated in the Arabian Peninsula, but its use stretches across Africa, India, the Mediterranean, and the Americas. The Ancient Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality” and used it in funerary rituals, beauty regimens, and wound care. It shows up in tombs, scrolls, and salves- applied to the bodies of pharaohs and priests, and used by queens like Cleopatra to preserve that legendary glow.

Meanwhile, in Ancient Greece and Rome, physicians like Dioscorides and Galen used aloe for everything from digestive troubles and skin infections to ulcers, mouth sores, and wounds. Alexander the Great is even said to have conquered the island of Socotra (off the coast of Yemen) to control its aloe supply because his army needed it to heal on the go.

In Ayurvedic medicine, aloe (called kumari, meaning “the maiden”) is a rejuvenating tonic especially for women’s health, used to regulate menstruation, support fertility, and cool inflammation in the gut and liver. It’s considered tridoshic- balancing vata, pitta, and kapha. And it is especially revered for restoring energy after long illness or depletion.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, aloe is categorized as a bitter herb used to clear heat, move the bowels, and detoxify the liver. Its cooling, moistening properties make it perfect for conditions of internal fire- whether that’s skin eruptions, angry digestion, or emotional burnout.

Then came the Spanish and Portuguese colonizers, who carried aloe to the New World where it was quickly adopted into Latin American and Afro-Caribbean folk medicine. In curanderismo, aloe is used not just physically but spiritually- planted near doorways for protection, used in limpias to clear bad energy, and mixed with herbs like ruda or romero in healing baths.

Modern science is fully caught up. Aloe’s inner gel contains polysaccharides, enzymes, vitamins A, C, E, amino acids, and minerals that support skin repair, wound healing, immune function, and inflammation reduction. It’s a proven ally for burns, eczema, ulcers, constipation, and more. And that’s not even counting its role in cosmetics, hydrators, and gut-healing elixirs.

Beyond the science and the skincare aisle, aloe is something deeper. Its resilience made plant. It thrives in harsh places, stores water, and gives it freely. It teaches us that healing can be soft and strong at once- that sometimes, the most powerful medicine is what cools, covers, and protects.

Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Skin Healing and Wound Care

• Speeds up healing of burns (especially sunburns)

• Soothes cuts, scrapes, and abrasions

• Promotes healing of minor wounds and reduces infection risk

• Used for frostbite, radiation burns, and dermatitis

Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief

• Reduces skin inflammation, redness, and irritation

• Can be applied to sore joints, swollen tissues, and insect bites

• Used in creams for arthritis pain (often combined with other herbs)

Moisturizing and Skin Care

• Natural hydrator for dry, irritated, or sensitive skin

• Helps treat eczema, psoriasis, and acne

• Often used in anti-aging and skin-repair products

Digestive Health

• Aloe gel juice (not latex) can soothe the digestive tract

• May help with acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcers

• Used traditionally as a mucosal healer in the gut

Laxative Effect (Aloe Latex)

• Aloe latex contains anthraquinones, especially aloin, which act as strong laxatives

• Used short-term for constipation (not recommended for long-term use due to potential side effects)

Immune Support

• Contains polysaccharides (like acemannan) that may support the immune system

• Shows antiviral and antibacterial properties in lab studies

Antioxidant and Detox Support

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as enzymes and minerals

• Supports detox pathways in the liver and kidneys

Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Regulation (Emerging Evidence)

• Some studies suggest aloe gel may help reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes

• May modestly lower cholesterol and triglycerides

Oral Health

• Aloe vera gel used in mouthwashes or toothpaste can help with:

  • Gum inflammation (gingivitis)

  • Mouth ulcers (canker sores)

  • Plaque reduction

Hair and Scalp Health

• Soothes itchy scalp, helps with dandruff, and strengthens hair follicles

• Often used in natural shampoos and conditioners