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True Aloe
BRINGING THE SPA HOME
Stella Gray, Spa Elder Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon
Monday, November 02, 2009
The word aloe is derived from the Arabic word Alloeh, which means shiny or bitter. The aloe is a succulent plant with a lot of water in its leaves and is part of the lily and onion family. There are many types of aloe plants and the best known of all is aloe barbadensis or aloe vera, which means true aloe.
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Aloe is native to certain regions of Africa and has been recognised for centuries for its healing qualities. Used by the early Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks and Indians, it was reputedly one of Cleopatra's beauty secrets and the Greeks and Romans used its gel to heal wounds. In Africa, the juice was used by hunters and warriors on the body to reduce sweat and mask scent. Herbalists in India have used aloe vera to treat intestinal infections, colic and for suppressed menses.
Although the aloe plant likes hot, dry climates, it can be grown successfully indoors in cold countries - a good place to raise a potted aloe plant is on a kitchen window where it will get both natural light and warmth. Keeping it in the kitchen is perfect not only for the plant but also for the cook in case of burns. Do not over-water the plant.
The aloe plant contains a wealth of nutrients in its leaves such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids.
Amino acids - help our brain to function and are the building blocks of protein; humans need 22 amino acids to function, all of which, with the exception of eight, are produced by the body. Seven of those amino acids are found in the aloe vera.
Lingins - these substances found in aloe vera allow for penetration, as a result aloe vera can soak into the skin up to seven layers making the plant especially beneficial for tough skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Salicylic Acid - is also found in aloe vera and is an anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial properties. It is also anti-pyretic thus helping to reduce fever and pain.
Saponins - these are soapy substances found in the aloe vera gel that have cleansing and antiseptic and are good to fight against yeast, fungi, bacteria and even viruses.
The uses of aloe vera both internally and externally are many, as aloe vera contains over 150 nutritional ingredients. The aloe plant contains no one single magic ingredient but rather all seem to work synergistically to create healing and health.
Using aloe vera internally not only enhances our immune system but also helps to soothe and heal the stomach and digestive tract, prevents irritation and inflammation, relieves acid indigestion, helps lower bad cholesterol, acts as a natural laxative and is anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic.
It is good for people with Type II diabetes as it lowers blood sugar levels and contains mannose which acts to open the blood vessels and free up blood flow, thus helping with poor circulation especially in the lower limbs.
Aloe juice can be used for minor emergencies such as sunburn, kitchen burns, scrapes, ulcers, acne, rashes, blemishes, insect bites and stings and eczema and psoriasis and the list goes on. It is used as an ingredient in skincare products as it helps to moisturise and regenerate skin cells. Its healing qualities have attracted the interest of modern physicians for its ability to heal radiation burns.
Almost 70 per cent of hair loss products on the market contain aloe vera as it is known to help reactivate new hair growth and to stimulate existing hair growth. It is an excellent hair conditioner especially for natural hair. Renowned Jamaican herbologist Dr Diane Robertson has proven that using fresh aloe vera gel daily over a three-to four-month period not only nourishes hair and scalp but also brings back colour to graying hair.
Stella Gray is the Spa Elder at Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon, with over 35 years in the spa industry. She can be reached at ferntree@halfmoon.com
Acne/Oily Skin Facial Mask
2 tsp aloe vera gel -
fresh from plant
1 tsp lemon juice
1 egg white
1/4 tsp honey
Beat egg white and add all other ingredients. Apply to skin preferably with a small brush and allow to dry. Reapply and leave mask on for 10 minutes, rinse and moisturise.
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