Aloe is hands down one of my favourite plants. Having been brought up in the Caribbean, we had aloe growing profusely all over the island and I was always drawn to this wondrous, fleshy plant. Now, living away from the island, I make sure I have at least one Aloe plant in my house and usually several on the go, as my mamas are quick to start putting out babies.
They are very easy to take care of, if you follow some simple tips, and they are a go to remedy for a multitude of things. It is definitely worth cultivating a relationship with Aloe.
Things Aloe is Good For
Aloe is wondrous for skin issues, in particular the healing of minor wounds and burns. If you observe an Aloe leaf when they are cut, you will see that they seal themselves again very quickly. The same thing seems to happen when treating my own wounds with it.
Aloe penetrates deeply into the layers of skin, regenerating the skin by increasing collagen, actively retaining moisture, as well as a host of other things. For more information on studies of Aloe you can start here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/
Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities are perfect for the treatment of cuts and scrapes, stings and rashes, soothing them and promoting rapid healing.
It is a popular remedy for burns too, however, I have an even better one for burns that I’ll talk about next time I post, which is a hardly known remedy but hands down the best thing I have ever used. I prefer to use this other remedy first and then Aloe afterwards to speed up the healing when working with burns.
Aloe’s anti-viral properties also make it an effective remedy for herpes. Regular application of the fresh gel can help prevent a cold sore on its onset, or speed up the process once it is underway, healing them faster than conventional remedies.
It can also be applied to your genitals should you have any discomfort from yeast infections, as well as speed up the healing of cracked nipples when breast-feeding. It really is a wonder plant for all things skin related.
Besides all the topical uses, Aloe can also be ingested and does wonders for the digestive system. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe the stomach and intestines; enzymes within the gel can help breakdown fats and sugars, and the anti-bacterial qualities can help balance your gut flora. Aloe also has a mild laxative effect that aids constipation and can help expel any parasites. Simply add a peeled chunk of the leaf to your juice in the morning, blend and drink.
Finally, use fresh aloe gel on your skin and hair to retain moisture, prevent sun damage and boost overall health. If you live in a warm climate and you’re regularly exposed to the sun and sea, then use allow frequently to regenerate and protect your skin and hair. In cold climates Aloe is a helpful ally in preventing dried and cracking skin, something I struggle with in the cold. Make sure you have enough Aloe plants on the go to keep you covered all winter.
Aloe is particularly good to apply on babies’ skin and hair. When my son was little, I would smother him in aloe every day whilst giving him a stimulating massage. As I covered him in aloe’s goodness I would talk to his skin and talk to the aloe, thanking it for the wonders of its medicine and the protection it is giving my son. I would tell his skin how wonderful it is, how its natural job is to absorb and protect and as I spoke, I would imagine every cell full of light and working happily.
Never underestimate talking to the things around you and to your body. Our thoughts and spoken words are powerful and give shape to the world around us. Use them wisely, not only in our day to day, but in particular when healing ourselves or others and when working with the elements, plants, water, fire. Our thoughts and words (spells) are just as important, arguably even more so, than the remedies we apply. Certainly, when thoughts, words and actions align, healing can become rapid and sure. I say can because there are times when healing is not possible and that, although hard to accept, has its place within our experience of life as well.
Removing a Leaf
Some people cut sections from a leaf while leaving the leaf connected to the main plant. Although you can do this and the leaf will heal itself, I have found that in the long term your plant won’t thrive if you keep cutting it in this way. It’s a bit of a death by a hundred cuts type situation. Plants that have regular cuts tend to use energy to heal the cuts and the leaves don’t grow as fat and juicy as they could when left to grow properly. This is not what you want, as the best leaves to use medicinally are the fat, juicy ones.
Instead, you need to peel a whole leaf off the plant, keeping the base intact and then use that leaf, starting at the tip and working your way down. Don’t worry about wastage because a leaf removed in this way will last a long time and you can also refrigerate to make them last even longer (more on that later).
To peel the leaf off properly, first look at how the leaves on your aloe grow. They grow in layers, one leaf on top of the other, with the bottom leaf wrapping around all the others. New leaves sprout from the middle, coming out from within the protective layers of the other leaves. So, always take the bottom leaf first.
To do so, push down on the leaf to gently separate its skin from the bulk of the plant. Follow the line of its skin all around the sides to the back of the plant and coax it away from the others. You might need to slice it slightly at the back with a knife or your fingernail in order to release it. Don’t push too hard on the leaf or you will tear it, Aloe likes to be coaxed away lovingly, firmly and slowly, you can’t rush her. Although tearing it is not a problem (the plant will heal itself) it is better if you can remove the base intact.
Storing it
Once you have removed your whole leaf you can take small cuts for regular use starting at the tip of the leaf and working your way down as needed. I leave mine standing upright in a small pot (depending on the size) on the windowsill in front of my sink. A leaf will last for a couple of weeks this way, resealing itself after a cut until you need it again.
You can also put it in the fridge or freeze the leaves, especially if you live in a hot climate. I don’t ever do this as I use mine regularly enough to not need to, I also feel like the leaf, when kept upright, prefers a room temperature to the cold but each to their own, see what works for you.
You can peel and blend your whole leaf and store the gel in a sealed container in the fridge. If you do this add a small amount of vitamin E oil to the gel to preserve it and it will keep for several weeks. I tend to do this when I know I am going to be using a lot of gel for hair treatments or to cover large areas of skin, or if someone has a particularly large, bad burn.
Removing the Gel
If you are working on a large area, then it is best to blend the whole leaf or a large chunk of it as needed. Before you blend though, you must peel the skin off. Cut the spiky edges of the leaf off with a knife, then with your knife slice the top layer of skin off to separate it from the bulky back layer and flesh, a bit like filleting a fish. Scrape the gel off the top layer of skin and then cute the bulk of the flesh off the bottom layer.
If you are using a small amount, take your cut, trim the edges off and open the piece by peeling the top layer of skin away. Using your thumbnail gently scrape the flesh to release the gel. If you scrape too vigorously you will get lots of chunky bits which isn’t so nice and it’s a waste, so make sure you go gently and scrape in different directions to breakdown the flesh into useable gel. Again, despite its spikey appearance, Aloe likes to be treated gently, coaxed into releasing its goodness.
If you need a very small amount just gently scrape the cut on the leaf until enough gel is released and use that without cutting a whole piece off.
Tending your Plant
Aloe plants prefer a light-filled window but they don’t do well in direct sun. Aloe exposed to too much sun goes an orangey-yellow and the gel will also turn yellow. This is not good. If this happens, remove your plant from the direct sun and water it well, to try and revive it.
Let your plant grow until the base leaves are 2-3inches wide before you begin to remove them for use.
Do not over water your Aloe. I water mine every 2-3 weeks or so, when I feel they are asking for it.
When babies emerge, let them stay with the mother plant until they are around 5 inches tall before you gently remove them and repot them. This gives their root a chance to grow well.
Talk to your plants regularly, telling them of your day and express your gratitude and appreciation for their beauty. Every being thrives on love and appreciation and by sharing your information with your plants, whether in your home or garden, they grow sensitive to your particular needs.
Lessons from Aloe
Medicine doesn’t just lie in the chemical make-up of a plant but in its spirit, its energy, which we can connect with and through an on-going nurturing of our relationship, gain a holistic healing experience.
Everything in this world is consciousness, or energy, slowed down enough that it takes on a material form in our experience. Connecting to the spirit of plants can bring us deep insights that help shift the problem at the root cause, on the energetic level, which then filters down to our material experience.
To begin this journey of learning from Aloe, take time to sit with your plant quietly. Before closing your eyes and entering into a meditative state, speak aloud your intention of connecting with Aloe on a deeper level, of being open to the experience, however it may be, open to learning from Aloe’s wisdom. Hold gratitude in your heart as you state your intention and then settle into a deep, rhythmic breathing pattern. Let thoughts drift in and out of your awareness as you relax into the moment with Aloe. Observe what images begin to come into your awareness.
You might see colours, patterns or whole sequences of events in your inner vision. You might hear things, smell or taste something. Observe all your senses, including feelings (not so much emotions, but the sensations and feelings in and around your body), to begin with simply observe. As you deepen your relationship with Aloe (or any plant) you can begin to ask questions and converse, but for now just observe without judgement or expectation.
This is how you begin to make contact with the spirit of a plant, connecting to their wisdom and learning the language of the spirit world.
The above are my opinions based on my own observations and experiments over the years. We are all different and react differently to things, therefore, always do your own research, your own experiments, keep an open mind and when needed seek the opinion of a variety of medical professionals.
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