The herbal remedy aloe vera comes from the plant, aloe. Originally found in Africa, the aloe vera herbal plant is also called the "lily of the desert," the "plant of immortality," and the "medicine plant." Liquid that comes from the plant has a bitter taste or "alloeh" in Arabic, hence the name.

Botanical Basics

The aloe vera plant belongs to the family Asphodelaceae with about 400 known species currently grown. Classified as succulent plants, aloe grows in the more arid parts of Africa and in the mountains of tropical Africa. The most distinguishing part of the aloe vera herbal plant is its leaves which are large, thick, and fleshy. The leaves are shaped like lances with a sharp apex and spines lining their margins.

Early Applications of Aloe Vera

Historians have traced the use of aloe vera as an herbal or medical treatment as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient Egyptians used the plant to treat parasites, burns and infections.

Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Evidently, the juice of the plant leaves yields certain substances, called aloes, which are good purgatives. Some species of the aloe, like Aloe venenosa, may produce poisonous juice and are therefore not recommended. However, most species, such as the A. vera, vulgaris, socotrina, chinensis, and perryi contain aloes that have therapeutic uses.

Aloe vera has been under medical scrutiny since the 1930s. Studies suggest that the clear gel of the aloe vera plant contain properties that have dramatic burn, wound and ulcer healing properties. When an affected area is coated with the gel-like substance, the wound is also safeguarded from infection-causing bacteria and other micro bodies, providing faster healing.

Aloe Vera Juice

The aloe vera plant, like most succulents, contains about 96 percent water. The remaining 4 percent of aloe vera is a combination of active ingredients including amino acids, enzymes, essential oils, glycoproteins, minerals and vitamins. Because of the many active constituents present in the aloe vera plant, modern healers often implement it into their liquid health treatments. Juice from the aloe vera is usually combined with other medicinal plants to increase its potency. Those who use aloe vera juice believe that it is able to relieve digestive tract irritations caused by colitis, peptic ulcers and other disorders.

Supplements Based on Aloe Vera

The many vitamins and minerals that are found in aloe vera make it an ideal herbal supplement. Aloe vera supplements can aid in digestion, and may assist in blood and lymphatic circulation. Aloe vera herbal supplements may also improve gall bladder, kidney and liver function.

The aloe vera plant contains at least three fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties, making supplements beneficial for those with stomach, colon and small intestine problems. By naturally alkalizing digestive juices and preventing excess acidity, aloe vera supplements may also prevent these common causes of indigestion.

Next time you're feeling discomfort, inside or out, reach for a piece of aloe. It's an easy-to-grow plant that looks beautiful in the bathroom, so keep one in a pot and have those remarkable healing properties at hand, any time you need them.