Aloe vera botanically known as Aloe Barbadensis Miller is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family grown for its succulent leaves, which have several culinary and therapeutic use.

It has thick, rosette-shaped green leaves conjoined at the stem. There are two thick skins covering mesophyll;

Chlorenchyma cells.
The parenchyma gives Aloe vera leaves their shape.

The parenchyma, also known as the inner leaf, inner leaf fillet, or Aloe fillet, makes up the leaf by volume that contains the Aloe vera gel.

About 98.5%–99.5% of aloe vera gel is made up of water, while the residual solids contain more than 200 distinct substances, most of which are polysaccharides.

The slender, robust stem of the aloe vera plant supports a rosette of fleshy, lanceolate leaves with a serrated border and tiny white teeth.

The leaves are gray-green or pale green in hue and may have white spots. A prominent inflorescence made up of closely spaced pendulous yellow flowers on a spike that can reach a height of 90 cm (35 in) is produced by aloe vera plants.

The plant can reach a height of 1 m (3 ft) and, with proper care, can live for up to 100 years. Aloe vera is a plant native to eastern and southern Africa.

The thick, meaty leaves have white specks that are green to grey-green on both the upper and bottom surfaces.

Aloe Vera leaves have toothed and rough edges. Each flower has a golden, 2-3 cm long tubular corolla. Summertime sees the flowers blossom on a 90 cm (35 in) tall spike. Before you take aloe supplements, discuss with your doctor whether you routinely take any medications.

They might interact with treatments for diabetes, heart disease, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root, among other drugs and dietary supplements. Aloe vera gel administered orally may prevent the absorption of medications taken concurrently.

Numerous other intriguing chemical elements have been discovered, including simple sugars, glycoproteins, phenolic anthraquinones, flavonoids, flavonols, enzymes, minerals, essential and optional amino acids, sterols, saponins, and vitamins.

It is crucial to note that Aloe vera has a long history of offering a variety of health. However, Aloe vera has gained recognition today due to its ability to treat various diseases due to its primary bioactive components, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds.

Aloe vera juice consumption is the healthiest habit possible because it improves immune system performance, digestion, and even general pain.

Early Egyptian antiquity, approximately 5000 years ago, saw the utilization of aloe vera. Since then, it has been applied topically and consumed. Breaking open the green, leafy epidermis of an aloe plant reveals a gel that can help to treat psoriasis, burns, and other skin ailments.

After the results of two-year research by the national toxicology program were published, questions regarding the safety of drinking aloe vera.

According to the study, male and female rats that took a whole leaf extract of aloe vera juice showed clear signs of carcinogenic activity based on cancers of the large intestine.

Juice from aloe vera is said to help the body and bloodstream detoxify. It might benefit those suffering from gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.

Many ancient societies, including Greece, Egypt, Mexico, Japan, China, and India, employed aloe vera for medicinal purposes.

Cleopatra and Nefertiti, two Egyptian queens, utilized aloe vera as a lotion to maintain their complexion. Alexander the Great used it in Greece to heal his soldiers’ wounds.

Aloe vera cured dermatological diseases brought on by radiation or burns in the 20th century after being used to treat constipation issues in the 1800s in the United States.

Many fruits and vegetables have edible coatings made of aloe vera gel. It aids the process of ripening by delaying it.

Aloe Barbadensis Miller gel with pineapple prevented softening and preserved the fruit’s quality. Compared to untreated fruits stored in ambient conditions, the fruits’ shelf life increased to 7 weeks under ambient conditions.

When applied to “Granny Smith” green apples during cold storage, aloe gel coating (5% and 10%) proved successful in preventing weight loss, delaying the decline of soluble solids and titratable acidity, and foreshadowing a change in appearance.

Read Also: Herbs and Spices Growing Guide

5 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller)

Here are five amazing health benefits of aloe vera explained in light of some scientific studies on the plant. Additionally, consult your medical team before using any plant-based or plant-derived products to replace or enhance the specified course of therapy.

(1) Helps Reduce Arthritic Swelling

Aloe can be applied topically to relieve arthritis pain and swelling. Drinking aloe juice can help prevent the autoimmune reaction linked to some types of arthritis, in which the body attacks its tissues.

(2) Helps In Treating Intestinal Problems

Constipation and gastric ulcers are relieved, stomach acid neutralized, and the juice aids colon detoxification.

(3) Helps In Lowering Blood Sugar Level

Aloe can serve as a component of an effective diabetic treatment plan. Aloe juice can be consumed daily between meals to aid liver and pancreas recovery.

(4) Used In Treating Injuries And Eye Irritation

Open the eyelid and place a freshly cut aloe slice over the shut eye to cover it with the gel. When you have a small object lodged in your eye, it’s a fantastic cure.

(5) Helps In Treating Gum Infections

You can cure gum infections with aloe juice to treat persistent infections. Gargle after blending a leaf’s fresh gel without the skin or water.

Aloe vera supplements should not be taken orally by minors or women who are pregnant or nursing due to the lack of safety data.

Consult your do doctor before using it. Researchers advise against using aloe vera regularly. However, if the aloe product is free of aloin, a plant extract linked to colon cancer in rats, it might be suitable for use as a topical treatment for sunburn.