VERY INTERESTING NUMBER 38: ALOE

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about

ALOE VERA

Aloe is a succulent plant that grows in hot, dry climates (Zone 10+). The most common medicinal variety is Aloe vera (barbadensis Miller), which has been clinically shown to have the most nutrients of the over 500 species of aloe throughout the world. It is grown commercially for the health and moisturizing benefits found inside its leaves. The aloe vera plant is one of the most studied herbs in natural medicine. An adult aloe vera plant reaches maturity at 3-4 years and can reach a height of 30 inches with up to 21 leaves.

The word “aloe” comes from the Arabic term alloeh, which means “shining bitter substance,” and “vera” comes from the Latin word veritas, meaning “truth.” And it’s true, the juice of the whole processed leaf is invigoratingly bitter. People who take the herb internally say the inner fillet of the leaf’s gel is much milder and quite pleasant.

Aloe produces two substances, gel and latex, which are both used medicinally. Aloe gel is the clear, jelly-like substance found in the inner part (inner fillet) of the aloe plant leaf. Aloe latex comes from just under the plant’s skin and is yellow in color. Some aloe products are made from the whole crushed leaf, so they contain both gel and latex.

Cleopatra applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen! Studies show that the gel can penetrate three epidermal layers of the skin. Aloe vera gel may improve absorption of other botanical herbs and vitamins. Typically, aloe vera products should contain a high quantity of aloe in the formula to be effective (30%-90%).

Aloe vera is made up of 99.5% water, but the .5% solid portions are known to have the most active nutrients.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking