Aloe Vera

Adaptation:
Aloe Vera have succulents that help the plant retain a lot of water when it is living
in a region of dryness. They also form Arbuscular Mycorrhiza that allows the plant to get
the nutrients and minerals from the soil that they need to help them grow. Aloe Vera is a
propagate plant which means they can be grown not only from a seed, but from a leaf of
another Aloe Vera plant.
Uses:
Aloe vera has been used for centuries and it is more popular today than ever. It is
cultivated around the world as a crop for its colourless jelly-like leaf parenchyma known
as 'aloe gel'. It is used for a variety of purposes in food, food supplements, herbal
remedies and cosmetics.
Aloe vera leaf parenchyma (aloe gel) may be effective when used on the skin
against psoriasis, burns, frostbite, and sores caused by the Herpes simplex virus.
Research has shown that, taken orally, aloe gel can help to lower cholesterol levels in
people with high cholesterol, and can help to lower blood glucose levels in people with
type II diabetes.
The green outer layer of the leaves of Aloe vera yields a bitter, yellow exudate
which has very different properties from those of the colourless parenchyma. The bitter
leaf exudate has traditionally been used as a laxative. However, research has indicated
that the active constituents may have harmful effects and can interact with other
medicines and herbal remedies. It should not be given to children or to pregnant or
breastfeeding women.