Aloe vera: A guest post by Sarita Remedios

Does the name lily of the dessert ring a bell? Maybe not, but I’m sure if I used its more common name ‘Aloe Vera’ it would need no introduction. In Thailand it is fondly referred to as Crocodile’s tail because of the leaf colour and shape which is thick, fleshy and green with serrated edges.

There are more than 300 species of Aloe Vera all over the world. It has been grown for ornamental purpose but more for its extensive medicinal properties. It’s a complete first aid kit - by cutting the leaf and removing the gel from inside it can be used internally & externally. This gel consists of more than 75 different key nutritional compounds which are either required or beneficial.

Some of the internal Benefits:
1)Helps blood circulation
2)Lowers blood sugar
3)Assists kidney, liver and gall bladder function
4)Helps cleanse the digestive tract
5)Strengths immunity
6)Helps viral infections
7)Cancer
8)Cholesterol
Some of the external benefits:
1)Relieves symptoms of fungal and bacterial infection
2)Its anti-inflammatory properties help decreases swelling, redness and pain
3)Acne
4)Rashes and boils
5)Sunburn
6)Cuts and burns
7)Dandruff
8)Varicose veins
9)Used as an aftershave

10)Remove stretch marks
Even Cleopatra used to this gel to keep her skin looking young and soft!! Legend has it that Aloe Vera grown in the kitchen can help guard against evil, prevent household accidents and I could sure as hell do with this last one – keep those burns and mishap away when cooking !


How do I grow Aloe Vera?
It grows best in tropical or sub tropical regions. Your plant will love warm weather conditions so let it get enough sunlight. Remember that Aloe Vera is a succulent plant and consists of more that 95% of water. Yet make sure you don’t forget to water it but never over water otherwise it can easily rot. Use moderately fertile and fast draining soil. The roots of the Aloe Vera are shallow and spreading so it’s good to use a wide planter with adequate draining.

About the author:Sarita Remedios an international banking graduate and one of the most imp people in my life...shes my inspiration for this blog and has always taken keen interest in knowing, researching, finding new ideas to help me (adorable i say) ...im so proud to say that she can identify 90% of the trees in the city and this awesome article shes written all by her self..id like to thank her for all the unrelenting support that shes offered to me through the years .I hope this little piece on this awesome plant helps you guys out there...