One of my first steps in
becoming a gardener was to establish a herb garden on my old veranda. Dad gave
me a heap of old plastic pots he had in the shed and I got dirt and seedlings
from my local garden centre.
At first, it was all hit and
miss, I had no idea what I was doing. I think I killed all of the first lot
with over attention, too much water and too much pruning. But now I feel I have
got it down pat. All I need to do now is expand on my collection.
Aloe Vera, though technically
not a herb, is one of my favourites. With last week's burnt arm proving how good
it is to have a pot of aloe on hand.
Aloe should be planted where
there is the most sun in the garden. Or grown in a pot, and moved seasonally to
take advantage of the sun. Aloe vera love the heat and hate cold, wet, and
frosts so if your area is prone to cold and wet winters only grow in pots as
aloe roots may rot off during their dormant period.
Aloe Vera is really quite an
incredible plant. It is a succulent plant and part of the lily family
(Liliaceae), the same family that garlic and onions belong to. Different parts
of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both
internal and external applications.
I am yet to use the plant for
internal benefits so I won't comment on those however, externally I love this
plant.
Because of aloe’s well-known
healing properties for the skin, aloe is one of the primary compounds used in
the cosmetic industry. It is a known vulnerary, (meaning it helps heal wounds)
and is great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to
bug bites. Aloe acts as an analgesic, acting to help relieve pain of
wounds. It’s feels especially good to cut a stem of aloe, place it in the
fridge and rub it on sun burnt skin – the immediate soothing effect feels like
an absolute lifesaver. Aloe is also an antipruritic: A substance that relieves
or prevents itching. Aloe Vera is an astringent: which causes the contraction
of body tissues, typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.
Due to aloe’s high water
content (over 99% water) it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and
rejuvenate the skin. Aloe increases the elasticity of the skin making it more
flexible through collagen and elastin repair. Aloe is an emollient, helping to
soften and soothe the skin. It helps supply oxygen to the skin cells,
increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood
flow to the skin through capillary dilation.
Aloe
is disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-microbial, germicidal, anti-bacterial,
anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-viral: yes I learnt most of these ones though
google. But after using aloe for years on burns, cuts and abrasions, I know
this natural option is better on my skin, and my kids than any product I can
buy at a chemist.
This plant is only three months old, and look how many new suckers it has grown!
