Aloe, A Gift From God

Aloe is in shampoo, creams and sunscreen. However, beauty is not its only aim.

My father-in-law used to grow it in in his garden and used it for any and every skin ailment; even his dogs benefited from it. We have followed his example. Here a few things that I know and others that I have been told:

-A few years ago I burned my stomach with boiling water; my husband put an open leaf on the burn and on top a bag of ice; he made me keep both all night. Even though the burn had been bad to the point that my clothes were sticking to my skin, next day I had not blisters and in two days my skin looked as though nothing had ever happened.

-I have also used it for cuts, bruises and rashes. It is especially good for little children because it does not burn and is very soothing.

-The owner of a nursery nearby told me that she made a point of blending the pulp every morning with orange juice (Aloe is extremely bitter) and drank it to prevent varicose veins. She said that she was over 55 at the time, to me she did not look older than 40 years old.

-A Colombian friend told me that in her country the potential candidates to Miss Colombia are groomed since an early age and one of their beauty secrets is to drink a beverage made as follows:

To a big jar of water they add dark brown sugar (panela) and then add the pulp of the Aloe previously cut in little squares, they let it stand overnight and drink it through the day.

-At a ladies meeting, I was told that to help with a stomach ulcer, it is good to broil the leaf on both sides and then eat the pulp - now how do you do that? I don't know. I still have to find out... in our next meeting I'll make a point of asking.

-In Ecuador you can see it often hanging from the roots with a red ribbon behind the main door; it is believed to protect from evil eye and bad vibes.

I am sure there is a lot more to tell about Aloe and as I find out I will share with you.