5 ways Aloe can help you

Herbalists know the plant named Aloe Vera as the "potted physician" or the "medical plant". It is a cactus-like plant with green triangular shaped leaves. The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant is filled with a clear bitter gel.The name Aloe means ( shining bitter substance ) and is regarded as a master healing plant by many herbalists.

• Soothes Burns - Aloe is known to speed up burn recovery. The gel from the plant should be applied evenly to the burn wound. If you ever happen to burn yourself reach for an aloe vera leaf, break it in half and apply the sticky bitter gel to the wound. Harsh sun burn can be treated with aloe as well.

• Eases intestinal problems - If you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) you should drink aloe Vera as a juice. It will be effective in treating your condition. Aloe has the ability to re-balance your intestines by actively regulating gastrointestinal pH and it will detoxify the bowels.

• Combats diabetes - If you suffer from diabetes and struggle to get your sugar levels down. Aloe is what you have been looking for. You can drink the aloe vera juice because it can reduce your sugar levels.

• Screens out radiation - Aloe will protect your skin against damage caused by having your X-Rays taken. It is an affective antioxidant and it helps to clean up the free radicals caused by the X-Ray radiation.

• Speeds up surgical recovery - Research shows us that by applying aloe to wounds it will significantly speed up the healing process. Aloe can decrease surgical recovery time.

Growing Aloe Vera

Above I have only briefly mentioned five of the benefits of the aloe vera plant. There are many more. With this in mind I thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips on growing your very own aloe vera plant at home or at the workplace.

Aloe Vera plants are very succulent and they consist of 95% water. It would be best to grow these plants outdoors in a warm climate allowing the aloe to recieve full sun and making sure to give it plenty of water. The soil used should be fertile and quick draining. Provide plenty of water for your aloe but remember that these plants ( when well established ) can survive a drought quite well.

You can find Aloe Vera at almost any nursery or garden shop. If you live in a very cold climate I would suggest you leave your aloe plant inside during winter, close to a window so that it can get a lot of light. you can move it outdoors during the summer months. Keep in mind that during the winter months you shouldn't water your aloe plant to much. The plant becomes dormant in cold conditions and will utilize very little moisture. Watch the soil of the plant and only water once it is completely dry.During the hotter summer months the soil should be soaked and then allowed to dry again before re-watering.