Aloe Vera Plant - Information and Tips

The aloe vera plant is a multi-purpose medicinal herb common to many households across the world. Unlike some species of plants, the aloe vera plant no longer grows in the wild. It is currently only known to live in captivity or cultivated by people for domestic use. This alone makes the aloe vera unique compared to many household plants that can also be found in the wild.

The Aloe vera plant is believed to have many properties, ranging from the soothing of burns, the promotion of faster healing to the treatment of diabetes. Because of the special compounds in the plant, including acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones and anthraquinones and lectins, companies tend to [include aloe to their products as additional enticement|aloe is to be added to a broad range of products to entice users to buy them].

The aloe vera plant is a succulent plant, thriving in zones 8-10. It is suitable as an ornamental plant for low-water gardens, as well as indoors. While hardy, the Aloe vera plant has little tolerance for cold, dying under such conditions. For those wanting to tend to aloe vera plants in cold conditions, it must be kept inside or in a greenhouse to prevent frost from killing it. Being a succulent, the aloe vera plant resembles cacti and other common desert plants. As it is suited for dry climates,too much water is the most common cause of death of this plant. As the aloe vera plant should only be fed when its soil is no longer moist, it is one of the easiest plants to tend. The dirt used for potted aloe vera should be compatible with good drainage, as too much sitting water will cause root rot.

The aloe vera plant is typically used as a topical treatment for burns and cuts. There are conflicting studies on how aloe vera affects the rate of healing. There are some indicators that the rate of healing may be dependent on the type and depth of the wound, and how it is bandaged. In some studies, healing rate is slowed from aloe vera. Aloe vera may be digested.

Despite the lack of scientific proof on the increased healing and other properties of aloe vera, it has gained a good reputation by the average individual, granting the a plant a place in shampoos, lotions, soaps and a wide range of cosmetics. Moreover, the positives gained from the presence of aloe in these products is based on belief, not on concrete [proof|scientific evidence|research|data|proof].

The aloe vera plant is thought to have originated in Africa, with relatives of the aloe vera plant still surviving to date. There are references to aloe in the bible, which makes it one of the oldest documented species of plants known.