If envy existed in the plant kingdom, aloe vera would have to withdraw its leaves. Its popularity wouldn't be particularly high. And that has nothing to do with its cactus-like appearance and beautiful red flower. The desert lily, as it's known by many names, is the overachiever of the flora. No other plant combines so much potency in such a small area. Scientists have identified an incredible 200 (!!) active ingredients in the fleshy pulp of its leaves. Aloe has positive effects on almost every part of the human body – on the immune system as well as on the gut, joints, and cartilage. And yet, the "plant of immortality" – as the early Egyptians called it – particularly excels in healing skin problems. This all-rounder has a cooling, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effect and restores much-needed moisture to the tissue. Extremely dry skin is immediately grateful.
The plant with self-healing properties
There's so much to say and write about aloe vera. In the end, it always comes down to praise. The word "astonishing" simply doesn't do justice to this "green pharmacy." Anyone who delves into the world of aloe will quickly learn that the plant can survive for months without rain. It does shrink, and its leaves become thinner, but they only spring back up again, becoming spongy and full of leaves, with the next rainfall. Leaves harvested after a downpour can weigh up to a kilogram. The liquid is stored in the pulp (also called gel). Its self-healing powers are also remarkable. If you cut a leaf, a thin film will form over the wound within moments. This sap then transforms into a "plaster," a rubbery layer that seals the cut airtight. This stops moisture loss and prevents germs from entering.
Aloe helps with acne and sunburn
It would be hard to find a better segue to the use of aloe in the cosmetics industry. Aloe also acts as a protective film for human tissue. The gel has no irritating potential and can be applied to both irritated and diseased skin: acne, sunburn, and psoriasis – to name just three. Furthermore, it contains active ingredients that counteract skin defects and simultaneously stimulate collagen production. In this sense, aloe is a "first-aid plant."
Perfect skincare
If something sounds so good, there must be a catch, right? The answer is: No. At least not for cosmetic use, provided laboratory tests have been conducted beforehand. Of course, pure aloe is also used in naturopathy. And here, at least one problem can arise. This occurs right at harvest time. And it applies to the professional aloe farmer just as much as to the enthusiast who cultivates the "plant of immortality" at home in a flowerpot.
Aloe vera – also a laxative
The aloe vera leaf consists of three layers: the outer rind, the inner layer containing the leaf sap (which contains aloin), and the valuable pulp at the core. It's crucial to protect the pulp and carefully separate it from the rind and sap. This can be done with a sharp blade and a skilled hand (yes, for high-quality products, harvesting is still done by hand) or with a simple trick (ideal for amateur botanists): Suspend the leaf in a glass of water with the cut end facing downwards. After 60 minutes at the most, the aloin-rich sap will have drained out. Why is this important? The liquid not only tastes very unpleasant, but it also has a strong laxative effect.Doctors used this knowledge in the past, prescribing the ingredient in powder form for constipation. However, according to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, there is a risk that aloin is carcinogenic – but only at excessively high doses. The reason why such a valuable plant as the aloe vera also has a dangerous side is easy to explain: the sap acts as a defense against pests and animals. Put simply, the aloe protects its valuable pulp between the leaf rind from attackers.
Cleopatra swore by the plant. This knowledge, by the way, is not new. Anyone who delves into the history of aloe will find the first records from Mesopotamia dating back 5,000 years. And almost simultaneously from Egypt. There, the plant was considered the "blood of the gods"—and was probably also used by the beautiful Cleopatra for her beauty. It was known, however, that the yellowish sap had to be removed beforehand. After all, who would have wanted to be responsible for the beautiful ruler having to complain about severely reddened skin?
From Mexico to Mallorca: Another ruler also swore by the "true aloe": Alexander the Great. He instructed his healers to treat wounded soldiers with the plant's gel. Many hundreds of years later, records from Japan show that the samurai, the emperor's soldiers, rubbed themselves all over with aloe gel. Their goal was to become invulnerable. It took even longer for the medicinal plant to reach what is now Europe. From Great Britain, aloe was brought to Spain starting in the 12th century – and from there on to South and Central America. It's somewhat ironic that Mexico has now become one of the main growing regions. However, the most potent aloe comes from Mallorca – the warm summers and dry winters offer an ideal climate for the plant. One last fun fact: To this day, the exact origin of the desert lily remains unknown. Researchers assume it originated on the Arabian Peninsula, without being able to pinpoint the region more precisely. Thus, the aloe is not only a jack-of-all-trades, but also a small mystery of botany.
