Aloe Vera, the Potted Physician

The first time I came across an aloe vera plant was when my boyfriend offered it as a treatment for my sunburn. He spent the whole day with me at the lake and felt responsible for my painful state. He sweetly rubbed the aloe vera gel on my body.

In all, I felt a great deal of relief and loved the attention I was getting from my boyfriend. My interest was piqued, and I researched and discovered aloe vera is not just for sunburns.

The unassuming plant is a natural healing agent and has a lengthy list of historical references for medicinal purposes.

For eras, herbal doctors and medical practitioners have considered aloe vera as a medicinal plant or "the potted physician." Corresponding medical journals report the plant has noticeably reduced surgery convalescent time, efficiently treated intestinal health problems, and inhibited and relieved arthritis.

Alexander the Great conquered many parts of Africa to retain the aloe plant to mend his injured men.

In 1935, the aloe plant was extremely victorious in remedying skin lesions produced by X-rays.

The aloe vera plant solely presents potent restorative effects formed naturally, as healing should be. The green daggered-shaped leaves are teeming with a clear gel. The gel contains 96% water and 4% comprising of 75 known ingredients that heal the body.

Aloe gel is a temperate analgesic when smeared on wounds. It alleviates itching as well as swelling and soreness. It is even an antiseptic while increasing the blood flow to injured areas so they can heal.

The medicinal plant also supports fibroblasts because of the enzymes in the plant. Fibroblasts are skin cells in charge of healing wounds. The gel helps heal wounds by supporting the fibroblasts.

The gel that is taken straight from the daggered-shape leaf is the best aloe gel for treating injuries. Any unused portion keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The gel sold in stores claims a percentage of aloe vera is good but is not a valid alternative. The gel straight from the plant works best.

Keeping your aloe vera plant healthy is as vital as using your plant for healing wounds. Aloe vera flourishes on lack of attention, but the tropical or subtropical indigenous cannot endure temperatures below 40 degrees F. Even the lightest frost reduces the green plant to a blackened, discharge of dead flesh. A local nursery lined up a box of aloe vera plants for free because they were frostbitten. I took one and nursed it back to health. I planted it in an area that tucks it away from the frost.

For the most part, the reports I have read say the plant thrives in a bright area without direct sunlight. The plant likes to rest in well-drained and porous—a sandy but coarse soil that’s not overly rich.

Recommendations are to water the plant two times a month and once a week when the climate is warmer. My aloe vera gets watered more often during the summer because other plants, needing water, surround my aloe, and the plant is in direct sunlight. Keep in mind, poor drainage or overwatering is its worse enemy.

Aloe vera is not a succulent or cactus, but part of the lily family. Aloe vera flowers are a vibrant and surprising addition to the foliage. In March and April, you will see yellow flowers. Some even are known to sprout shades of orange, pink, red, gray, and white. The buds begin as a spike, and progressively, they get larger and lastly open. The blooms last a good, long time. The beauty of the flowers is a wonder to witness.

The aloe vera flowers are favorites of hummingbirds. If the plant is outside, listen and watch for the buzz of those lovely creatures.

The aloe vera is not difficult to grow if you follow these basic rules:

• Make available plenty of area for the plant’s root ball to grow. Aloes are limitless growers and need a large area to grow. When repotting the plant, keep this rule in mind. The plant needs a growth area so the root ball can extend three to five times its size.
• The plant requires well-drained and porous soil.
• Most aloe vera plants grow between April and October, accordingly water consistently with that in mind. Water when the soil is dry. If in doubt, it is best not to water.
• Fertilize the plants two times a month from April until the end of September, using a low-nitrogen fertilizer that is heavily diluted.
• Various aloe vera plants propagate by producing offshoots from the side of the plant. They are called “pups.” You gently separate it from its parent when the pup thoroughly develops. The pup needs a couple of days for the severed area to callous over. A dry, cool area that is not hot. Place the new plant in a pot with lots of room to grow. Sometimes the plant will grow roots right away. If that is the case, you pot the plant as an adult. If there are no roots, avoid watering until the roots form. Misting every couple of days is fine. After the plant’s roots emerge, which takes about a month, and the plant has grown some, you can water it.

There are limited plants like the aloe vera that are easy to grow and easy to use for medicinal functions. Just keep in mind, if you take care of your plant, it will help take care of you.