Aloe has been around for thousands of years and is believed to have a wide range of both physical and spiritual healing properties. The most common type is Aloe Barbadensis Miller however there are over 400 varieties of this succulent!
Indigenous to parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, aloe was eventually cultivated in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, parts of India, and Southern border territories like California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Outside of those growing regions, it makes a great house plant.
The physical healing properties of aloe have long been recognized. It was used in the beauty regimens of Egyptian Queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra, and also to treat the wounds of soldiers. Aloe’s healing properties also contribute to treating ulcers, sunburn, herpes lesions, frostbite, insect bites, sores, scalp issues, acne, and dry, itchy, cracked skin. Aloe has reportedly been used as an all-natural cure for hemorrhoids and to treat constipation. It has also been used to wean children from breastfeeding or thumb-sucking.
The spiritual healing powers of aloe have been credited with keeping evil away when hung over the door or planted near the house. It was also used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the body and preserve the skin of the dead since they believed that the physical body needed to remain intact for the spiritual body in the afterlife. Aloe was placed in the tombs of deceased pharaohs to show their deep appreciation for them.
Aloe should be avoided by those who have a latex allergy due to the yellow substance it contains between the leaf and the skin (also known as aloin). It is also important to note that there may also be safety concerns when used internally or topically and some purported remedies may be lacking research.