Guest Author - Wendy Lee

Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera has a long storied past of being excellent for all manner of skin ailments from burns and dermatitis to psoriasis and ulcers. Relative of the lily family, its thick leaf structure makes it prone to be grouped with cacti. However, the rosette formation the leaves create is indicative of this plant family. Aloe vera originates in Africa and is classified as a succulent. This means that the aloe stores water in its leaves for possible periods of drought.

That being said, Aloes also make excellent plants for the forgetful waterer. However, as their leaves consist of more than 90% water, forgetfullness shouldn’t substitute for regular watering. They should be kept in temperatures well above freezing; minimally above 50 degrees F. Aloes also need to be provided with well draining soil and allowed to dry out completely before being watered again. In winter, aloes, like most plants, usually go into a dormant stage where less water is needed. The best types of soil are either a regular potting mix with extra (salt free) sand, perlite or other gritty material or even a mix made specifically for cacti.

Propagation of this plant is super easy for as the parent plant matures, it will send out suckers affectionately called ‘pups’. These are readily transplanted into separate pots of their own once they have established their own root system. Be wary that the Aloe is a prolific asexual breeder and once you have one Aloe, be prepared to have many to give to friends with in a year or two. Aloes can also be grown by seed or by softwood cuttings. IF growing plants from seed allow them to fully mature on the plant stalk before collection. Softwood cuttings are a piece of a leaf that has been removed from the parent plant and set in soil or another growing media. This cutting will set off roots of its own and a new plant will form, upon which removal of the cutting is permissible.

There are many proponents of using the gel from an Aloe plant to relieve the pain of burns of all kinds. To harvest this portion of the plant, so a stem cutting and cut away the skin of the plant reducing it to just the clear gel. Sap from the skin of the Aloe can cause dermatitis in some people, particularly if it comes from older plants in which the sap is yellow. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, this usage may or may not actually be affective; in fact the only proven usage of Aloe vera is as a laxative to alleviate constipation. This is done by using the dried sap or latex from the skin of the plant. This is the same substance that can cause skin irritation as mentioned before. Other medicinal uses use less than a percent of aloe vera extract in their ingredients and are most commonly for skin ailments such as psoriasis and dandruff.

As always, medicinal uses of plants described above are never to be used in place of trained medical attention, as I am not a licensed medical professional.