The other day I put my fingers in a mixture of oil and wax that was too hot, just enough to cause a burn. I immediately cut an aloe leaf, broke it in half and applied it to my fingers. Within an hour the discomfort had disappeared and there was no trace of blisters.
Aloe is a curious plant from the lily family, like garlic and onion. Two parts of the plant are used in medicine with very different properties:
- The acibar or juice obtained by incising the external part of the leaves, condensed and dried.
- The gel or pulp of the interior, separated from that external part.
Acíbar, when ingested, is a laxative, but it is used very occasionally under medical supervision, as it has serious side effects at high doses and with continued use, in addition to numerous contraindications.
Acidbar derivatives are transformed in the intestine and produce an irritating action on the nerve endings of the intestinal membrane, which leads to an increase in mucous secretion and an increase in peristalsis, along with an inhibition of the reabsorption of water and electrolytes, especially potassium. It causes colon contraction, producing a bowel movement 8-12 hours after ingesting it.
As a homeopathic medicine, Aloe CH 9 is used in diarrhea, when it is very abundant, sometimes mucous membranes like gelatin, accompanied by intestinal gas, with an overwhelming, urgent desire to evacuate, with great difficulty in containing the feces, which often come out involuntarily.
Indications of aloe pulp or gel
The pulp or gel of aloe, on the other hand, is the friendly face of the plant. The fresh pulp extracted from the leaves is used directly, in the form of a gel or the glycerinated extract.
In topical use, thanks to its mucilage, aloe gel helps soften, heal and reduce inflammation of the skin. The healing effect is due in part to alloectin B, capable of stimulating immunity.
Aloe became popular in the 1950s when its ability to heal burns, especially those caused by radiation, was discovered.
It is very useful in dry eczema, itching, irritations, burns, acne, wounds, trophic ulcers or psoriasis.
Internally it is used in cases of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
How to apply fresh aloe vera
The fresh pulp, applied topically, has an excellent ability to heal wounds, sores and burns by serving as a protective layer in the affected area and accelerating healing.
In the natural application of the leaf it is important to know how to separate the pulp from the external green part: there should be nothing left of the external green part of the plant nor internal fibers, as they can be irritating.
- Clean the skin: The affected or wounded area should be washed well beforehand with clean water. Then, upon renewing the application, wash again.
- If you have gauze: Put the pulp on the skin or wound, cover with clean gauze and leave it for at least 3 hours. Renew within 24 hours.
- If you don’t have: Clean the leaf well, cut it in half and apply directly to the inside of the leaf.
Scientific references:
- Bhattacharya M et al. Aloe vera barbedensis: A review on its ethanopharmacological value. Journal of Pharmacy Research
How to grow and use an aloe plant
Growing and harvesting an aloe plant for gel and juice is simple. You will need a mature plant that is a few years old. This ensures a higher concentration of the active ingredients. If you are going to use the plant frequently, you may want to have a few plants in rotation. To harvest the gel:
- Remove 3-4 leaves at a time, choosing thick leaves from the outermost sections. Make sure the leaves are healthy and free of mold or damage. Cut them close to the stem, as most of the beneficial nutrients are found at the base of the leaves.
- Wash and dry the leaves.
- Trim any prickly edges with a knife.
- Using a knife or your fingers, separate the inner gel from the outside of the leaf. The inner gel is the part of the aloe that you will use.
- Cut the aloe gel into slices or cubes. Then, if you wish, you can blend it and strain it.