What Is Aloe Vera, and Where Does the Plant Come

From?
Aloe vera has been known for its healing properties for at least 6,000
years. In the early days, the plant was known for being a “plant of
immortality” and was presented to Egyptian pharaohs as a funeral gift. (2)

Over time, groups from many geographical areas have used aloe vera,
including Indians, Chinese, Mexicans, and North Americans, too. (3)

Humans have long known about the plant's healing benefits, and over the
years have used aloe — which is also known as “burn plant,” “lily of the
desert,” and “elephant’s gall” — to help treat wounds, hair loss,
hemorrhoids, and digestive issues. (2)

These days, aloe has an entire industry behind it. Its juices are used in
cosmetics and personal-care products such as moisturizers, soap, shaving
cream, and suntan lotion. The aloe vera product that probably comes to
mind most easily is the bright green gel that’s stocked on drugstore
shelves. You’ve probably used it to soothe a nasty sunburn.

Aloe vera is also available in supplement form, which is said to offer the
same possible benefits to the skin and digestive system as other versions
of the plant