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Monday, August 27, 2007

Aloe Vera Plant


Aloe Vera is a semi-tropical plant which looks more like a cactus and a member of lily family which usually grows in the African continent. Its green shaped thick leaves contain the water supply for the plant so that the plant can survive for long periods in case of drought. This plant also has resistance to survive in dry and warm climates and in very harsh conditions. An orange-yellow sap can be seen when a leaf of aloe vera is cut from the top.
This sap can be available as an aloe vera drink which has a powerful effect like a drug.

Aloe vera is used in various pharmaceutical products and most widely used as a medicine. One can see a mucilaginous substance which involves water, fibers and the other useful ingredients that is helpful in retaining the water in the leaf when the green skin of the leaf is removed. All the special qualities are given to the gel which contains all these ingredients and became popular since many centuries.
All the reports written on the aloe vera plant are more than 2000 year old.
Alexander the Great used aloe vera plant for healing the wounds of soldiers, Bible also use aloe vera plant for other uses and Cleopatra used it as a product for skin care. Many people have grown this plant in their houses and consider it as a first aid plant. In 1935, an American medical journal explained the use of aloe vera plant which is useful in the treatment of skin lesions that are caused by X-rays. Aloe vera plant is used as an ingredient in various drinks which helps in stomach problems and also proved to be an effective skin moisturizer in various skin care products.
In the 70s, aloe vera gel became popular in USA and widely used in cosmetic products and skin care products. Aloe vera is also available in the form of creams which are used by human beings as well as many cats and dogs. It is also becoming popular in other countries like Europe and most of the companies have also started using aloe vera plant in most of their products.
In the 19 th century, this plant was brought from Africa to other climates and widely used for cultivation. Now it is available in most of the countries like India, Mexico, Caribbean islands and Venezuela. Various farms have been set up for aloe vera plants and are also supplied to the aloe vera users in USA.
Now, this plant is widely used in the creams, lotions, gels, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, liquids, capsules and various other treatments also.