aloe vera

aloe vera, (Aloe vera), perennial succulent plant cultivated worldwide as an ornamental and for medicinal and cosmetic uses. The gelatinous interior of the leaves is commonly applied directly to the skin as a beauty treatment or to soothe sunburns, and it is sometimes ingested as a traditional medicine for a variety of ailments. Thought to originally be native to the Al-Ḥajar mountains of northern Oman, the plant has become naturalized in many areas around the world and is considered an invasive species in some regions.

Physical description

Aloe vera is an herbaceous plant with a short stem and long, narrow, fleshy leaves that are pale green to red-green in color. The leaves are about 50 cm (20 inches) in length or longer, erect, and arranged in a rosette. Tiny white spots are often present on leaf surfaces, and there are sharp, white or pinkish teeth on the leaf margins. The plant has yellow, tubular flowers that are up to 3 cm (about 1 inch) in length and have protruding anthers and stigma. The flowers are densely borne on a branched inflorescence that can reach 100 cm (39 inches) in height. Aloe vera can reproduce sexually by seeds or asexually through offshoots (pups) or suckers, with the latter being more commonly used for propagation by humans.

Cultivation

In its native Oman, the plant grows in dry climates in rocky, exposed areas at elevations of 1,300–2,600 meters (4,000–8,500 feet) above sea level. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light, is easily cultivated, and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Aloe vera is resilient against heat and moderate cold, and it may survive freezing temperatures. As with most other succulents, the water stored in its leaves is an adaptation to drought, and the plant does not need much water to survive. Aloe vera must be grown in well-draining soil because it is vulnerable to fungal infections, root asphyxia, and rot in moist conditions. Scale, mealybugs, and other pests may affect the plant.

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Aloe vera is farmed in many places, including Texas, South Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, China, and India, for the production of gel products and the sale of fresh leaves. Given its natural resistance to many pests and diseases, aloe vera is often grown organically. Despite this, aloe is a labor-intensive crop. The largest outer leaves are harvested by hand, leaving the rest of the plant to continue to grow and produce more leaves for future harvests. Under optimal conditions, aloe can be harvested two or even three times a year. The whole leaf may be processed, or filets of the gelatinous interior may be removed manually or with some mechanical processing.

Uses and properties

Humans have used aloe vera for skin care, cosmetics, and traditional medicine for at least 2,000 years, and there is some evidence that it may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antifungal effects. The gel in the plant’s inner mesophyll (leaf tissue that stores water) has long been used as a topical treatment for psoriasis, acne, insect bites and stings, minor wounds, burns, and ailments such as headaches and mastitis. Aloe gel, extracts, and creams are available commercially and are popular as a beauty treatment. People also ingest aloe vera gel in juices, tinctures, capsules, or other forms to control blood sugar and high cholesterol, for weight loss, and to treat irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, and other diseases and ailments. There is limited research on the effectiveness of such uses, and oral preparations may be unsafe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Aloe vera and many other aloe species contain aloe latex, which is a bitter, yellowish substance found between the green outer rind of aloe vera leaves and the inner mesophyll tissue. Aloe latex contains aloin, an anthraquinone glycoside that is a powerful laxative, and the latex can be made into juice that is used as a purgative, digestive aid, or laxative. However, aloin may also cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea, and aloe latex is not considered safe for children or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ingestion of aloe latex carries a number of potential adverse effects, including kidney damage, heart risks from cardiac glycosides, and acute hepatitis, though more research is needed.