An easy to look after house plant and a good all round ‘cure all’ for the skin, the soothing gel within the leaves is especially good for burns 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Soothing for the skin
- Cut leaves can be kept in fridge
- Easy to care for
- Especially good for sunburn
One of the most utilised herbs in the world, aloe vera is used extensively in modern medicine and many beauty products as it hydrates skin and hair. It has traditionally been used on the skin to treat burns and minor wounds where it has been shown to speed healing time. A handy first aid plant to grow inside the home.
Plant care
- Height: 10-30cm
- Type: Tender
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Orange
- Flowering period: June - August
A very tender herb and succulent that doesn't like to be too wet, aloe vera grows better inside the house on a windowsill away from direct sun. It should be watered infrequently; it is obvious if it has been dry for too long as the leaves will begin to lose their plump feel. It should be left to grow in the same pot until it has filled it with lots of baby shoots and is crammed full before re-potting into something larger or splitting, the new babies with a bit of root can be planted separately into small pots.
Usage
Aloe gel has cooling and healing properties for the skin and mucous membranes. It is traditionally a topical application to treat inflamed and hot skin conditions and it is used extensively for healing skin, burns and wounds.
The plant can be used fresh from the plant by cutting and scoring down the leaf where the gel can be scooped out and used, any remaining leaf can be stored in the fridge where the cut stem will heal and keep the gel safe inside; the gel is also a useful carrier for essential oils and herbs