Aloe

Common Names: Bombay aloe, turkey aloe, moka aloe, Zanzibar aloe.

Features: A genus of nearly two hundred species of mostly South African succulent plants. The properties of this plant were known to the ancient Greeks and it has been gathered on Socotra for more then two thousand years.

Aloe thrives in warm regions and grows wild in Florida. It is much like succulent cactus in texture. The leaves are usually elongated, of a deep brown or olive color, frequently pointed, blunt, or spiny-toothed, sometimes blotches or mottled. The stem is commonly short, with a basal rosette of leaves.

Taste: Peculiar and bitter.

Powder: A bright yellow. The red or yellow tubular flowers are found on a stalk in simple or branched clusters.

These properties change somewhat in the different varieties, some species being treelike with forked branches. Also bainesii grows to heights of 65 feet being 15 feet wide at the base. Other species of aloe are often cultivated in gardens of succulents, including the miniature ones grown in homes, they requite strong light and careful watering. The "American aloe" is not an aloe but Agave Americana.

Medicinal Part: The insipid juice of the leaves, which is a greenish, translucent, salve-like substance.

Solvent: Water.

Bodily Influence: Tonic, purgative, emmenagogue, anthelmintic.

Uses: Aloe is one of the most sovereign agents we have among the herbal medicines, being cleansing to the morbid matter of the stomach, liver, spleen, kidney and bladder. Does not gripe and is very healing and soothing to all the tissue, blood and lymph fluids it obliges.

Aloe should never be used in pregnancy or by itself when one is suffering from hemorrhoids, as in hemorrhoids it arouses and irritates the lower bowel. Much used in suppressed menstruation, dyspepsia, skin lesions, diseases of the liver, headaches, etc.

Dose: In constipation, in powder form, ½-2 grains, depending on age and condition. For obstructed or suppressed menstruation, 5-10 grains twice daily. To expel threadworms, dissolve the aloe in warm water and use as an injection. The same mixture can be taken internally for several days.

Externally: Powdered aloe made into a strong decoction and rubbed over the nipples will help wean a nursing child, due to the disagreeable taste.

Aloe shows the same cleansing power for external application. Fresh wounds, as well as old ones, are quickly closed when a piece of white linen or cotton saturated in aloe water is applied.

If ulcers progress to a running stage, sprinkle aloe powder thick enough to cover the open wound and secure with clean gauze, repeating daily. The powder will absorb the morbid, fluid matter, at the same time encouraging healthy new replacement tissue.

The fresh juice, or solution made from dried leaves is soothing to tender sunburns, insect bites, overexposure to X-ray or other emollient needs.

Homeopathic Clinical: Abdomen (plethora of), anus (infections of), bronchitis, colic, constipation, hemorrhoids, hysteria, lumbago, excessive masturbation, phthsis, procitis, prolapsed uterus, sacrum (pain in), tenesmus.

Caution: Do not give in cases of degeneration of the liver and gallbladder, during menstruation or pregnancy, or for piles. As a rule, it is safe to use as it is established by fold medicine, but in all complicated cases the advice of medical or trained practitioners in the field should be sought.

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