Aloe Vera

Description:

Also known as aloe, aloe vera, aloe or aloe Barbados Curacao, is a succulent plant family Asphodelaceae (now subfamily in the family Asphodeloideae Xanthorrhoeaceae.'s native to northern and eastern Africa. has been introduced and cultivated in the Andes Peru, the Arabian Peninsula, Canary Islands (West Africa), north and central Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. It is a perennial plant with thick succulent leaves in rosettes, reaching 50 cm long and 7 meters wide, the leaves are composed of three layers: a leathery protective outer fibrous layer below it, which concentrates aloin the active ingredient used in pharmaceutical preparations as a laxative, and whose taste bitter plant serves as protection against predators, and a gelatinous heart where it stores its water and preparing the large amount of pharmaceuticals. The leaves are long, lanceolate, and seem to spring directly from the ground in the young, the older have a short and sturdy stem. Aloe vera flowers are small, tubular, and are presented in Inflorescencias frequently dense yellow color. Aloe flowers usually require cross-pollination to fertilize and this is usually accomplished by birds and butterflies especially due to its preferential view of these colors.

Habitat:

The aloe is grown for medicinal use and as an ornamental plant, even for food in some African countries. In some regions often popularly called the Aloe saponaria Aloe vera (Aloe maculata). While the latter may have similar medicinal properties, it is important pharmacist at a correct identification of the species. (See below other medicinal Aloe species). Currently, there are over 250 different varieties of Aloe recognized, of which only three or four have significant medicinal or healing properties. The most powerful of these, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller, commonly known as Aloe vera. The word is derived from Arabic aloe alloeh, meaning shining bitter substance, the word comes from the Latin vera means true. In that ancient period, this variety was considered the most effective drug product. It is not known how long recognized as a medicinal plant. A pharmaceutical applications, more formerly registered, can be found in a Sumerian clay tablet of the year 2100. C., but there are reports of the plant drawings in ancient Egyptian temple walls since 4000. C. Aloe vera is similar in appearance to an agave, which belongs to the family Agavaceae. It only grows in warm climates and is found especially in the drier regions of America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia.