Common name: Sinkle bible, Aloe
Scientific name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
Aloe vera is an ancient and well-known medicinal plant, especially due to its ability to heal burns. The gel is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and full of nutrients, while the gel latex contains a purgative when used internally. It is a first-aid plant for any burn: whether from oil, hot water, or acid.
There are a few Jamaican companies growing and producing aloe products. However, there are still too many imported products containing aloe that should be made here.
MY ALOE RECIPES
Folk recipes are developed from actual use of a plant for health; four of mine are below.
1. Playground cuts and scrapes
While still in primary school, one of my sons fell and got a bad scrape on his leg. I did not wash it with water, but instead, opened an aloe leaf and applied the gel gently and generously on the scrape until a dark cover developed over the area. My intention was not to remove the dirt but to cover the area with aloe gel until a black shield was formed.
No oxygen can get under this shield and the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal substances in the aloe will kill any infection. All soil particles get incorporated into the black covering and fall off with it, leaving lovely skin growing beneath. This is why if you apply aloe to your skin regularly, acne will go, as well as any scars. When the area on my son’s foot got wet, I re-applied the aloe. By about a week, the area was just like any other part of the skin. This recipe can also be used for skin burns (oil, water, or acid), and sunburn as well.
2. Naturopathy and Traditional medicine partnership:
A friend of mine was in hospital because someone had poured acid on her. She was covered all over in bandages. We told her to apply aloe on only the areas the doctor had finished working with, i.e., around the edges where the bandages had been removed. The doctor commented that he had never seen anyone heal so quickly and without scars.
3. Thirst-Quenchers
Aloe is a nutraceutical plant. Its leaves contain over 75 active components including vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and mucilaginous substances, essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, B12, folic acid (vitamin B), and choline. The plant also contains minerals, calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc.
Many diseases are due to the lack of minerals and vitamins.
I cut a fat aloe leaf, remove the green skin, and wash away the yellow latex. I then add it, and bamboo leaf decoction to my lemonade, with just enough brown sugar to give it a nice taste. Thus, I have a very healthy drink!
4. Emergency tooth-ache remedy
Occasionally, if my teeth are hurting, I cut open an aloe and bite down on the gel, and it soothes my teeth. After a few minutes, I swallow it and enjoy the minerals and vitamins.
OTHER BENEFITS
- Daily skin moisturiser and degreaser
- Can prevent wrinkles and remove blemishes of the skin
- Soothe irritated skin and calm sunburns
- Used in medicine topically to manage radiation-therapy-induced burns
- DIY Hand Sanitizer with Aloe vera & alcohol
- Reduces dental plaque
- Helps treat canker sores
- Reduces constipation
- Lowers blood sugar levels
- Cleans the blood
IS ALOE SAFE?
The yellow sap just under the skin is a strong laxative when taken internally, so should not be used for more than three consecutive days. The inner gel, on the other hand, is safe for daily use. Just remember the old adage: use everything in moderation.
Please note that the healing properties of fresh aloe decreases very rapidly, especially when exposed to air and heat. So, prepare just before use – an easy thing to do in this climate with which God has blessed us in Jamaica. Or freeze the leaf gel until ready for usage.
Dr. Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell is a Senior Lecturer at the Biotechnology Centre, Medicinal Plant Research Group, UWI Mona.