Aloe Vera
Aloe Plants, Juices, & Gel
There are more than 300 species of Aloe, but the most common variety for medicinal purposes is Aloe Vera. Historically Aloe was first documented as a medicinal by the Egyptians and those in the Middle East.
The aloe plant has been introduced and naturalized in most tropical and warmer regions, including the Caribbean, Southern US states, Mexico, Latin America, India and parts of Asia.
The aloe plant is perennial and easy to identify. The leaves can grow up to 20 inches in length and are spear like in shape. The base of a mature aloe leaf can reach 5 inches across. The Aloe leaves are tough and fleshy, but inside they have a gel like substance. To the touch the leaves are firm, unless they are over handled and then the aloe leaves will feel mushy. In its naturalized state the plant ranges in height from 1.5 to 4 feet, and can have as many as 30 leaves growing at a time from the center, the width will max out at 3 feet across the base of the plant.
The Aloe plant flowers, and has a yellow bloom that will arise from the center of the plant in warmer climates. If you are growing aloe indoors, you are less likely to see the aloe plant bloom.
Aloe is used in a variety of forms, here are the most common:
- Gelly – the aloe gelly is the most common use. It is easily obtained by stripping away the outer leaf from the aloe leaves.
- Concentrate – this is usually made up of the gel with the high water content removed, leaving you with an aloe concentrate.
- Juice – the juice of the aloe plant is ingestible and is usually made from a minimum of 50% Aloe gel.
- Latex – the bitter yellow liquid that comes from the rind of the aloe leaves.
More Aloe Information & Articles
We have lots of information on Aloe and aloe products including making a herbal tea with aloe juice. Here are our most popular articles:
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