Aloe Vera, a Miracle Plant

This isn't one of those articles copied from some medical or beauty product tome.

This is a personal recount of what I use Aloe Vera for.

Aloe Vera, which grows in my garden.

Aloe Vera, a plant that's been used for centuries.

In Jamaica we call it 'sinkle bible'. I don't know why and no one else does.

We have a certain attitude towards the plant, so politely ask it if we can cut a frond before we do so.

I will hold a glass jar in my left hand, put it down, ask permission, then cut the frond and put it into the jar to catch the first golden drops...the 'blood'.

This 'blood' is so pure and clean, you can use it in your eyes to get rid of the red. If you intend to do it, usually cut a small piece at the top of the plant, and let that fresh golden liquid drip into your eyes.

In general, after I have the frond in my glass jar, I then take it out, peel the aloe over the jar to catch all the liquid and put the fruit, (the white flesh) into the jar.

I don't have to mash it, because peeling the green skin usually results in having small pieces..

I discard the thick green skin and keep the flesh and blood.

One of the immediate medical uses is for burns. You put the flesh on a burn, the burn heals without a scar.

Another medical use is if you are stung by a jelly fish, you use the flesh on the sting and it neutralises the poison and the pain.

The flesh in the jar will deteriorate into a liquid, a purple liquid. I massage it into my scalp. It is good for the hair, and also prevents grey. I didn't realise this until other people, much older than I me, for they have no grey hair.

I pour some into my shampoo/body wash for it prevents dryness.

I mix a small amount with moisturizer. This enhances its properties.

It does have a bit of an odor but that quickly dissipates as the 'perfume' in the lotion negates that.

It ends itching, whether it's a bug bite or something else, first thing is to put the aloe vera on the itch.

When your eyes are red or you have something in your eye, the Aloe Vera will wash it out. It doesn't burn at all. It is said to have the same ph as blood.

When you use it on your skin it really does make it smoother. On your hair it gets rid of the dryness and naturally dyes the grey. Some say it also ends dandruff.

It has antiseptic properties so it is good on wounds. I know some one who, as a child, stepped on a nail and nothing but aloe vera was used as a poultice.

Besides neutralising jelly fish stings, it also works mosquito and ant bites. It doesn't work on scorpion stings.

I will use it for anything, as a first try.
Usually, I don't need to try anything else.