Aloe Vera is one of 250 Aloe species, the more commonly used one throughout the history of the world. The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. History has shown us that Aloe Vera is one of the oldest mentioned plants on record due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. Ancient physicians considered it to be a blessing to mankind. Often called the “miracle plant” or the “natural healer”, Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises.
Aloe vera has been used for medicinal purposes in several countries for millennia: Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan, Russia, and China. Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds. King Solomon (971-931 B.C.) highly valued the medicinal properties of this plant, he even grew his own aloe vera. Aloe Vera had traveled to Persia and India by 600 B.C. by Arab traders. In Chinese culture, aloe vera has been an important ingredient in medical treatments since the times of Marco Polo expeditions. The treatment book of Shi Shen described Aloe Vera as the “Method of Harmony” –the plant played a major role in the everyday life of the Chinese. Japanese culture also greatly values the Aloe vera plant. In Japan it was known as the “royal plant”, the juice was consumed as an elixir. The Hindu people thought that Aloe Vera grew in the Garden of Eden and named it the“silent healer”. The Russians called Aloe Vera “the Elixir of Longevity”. The native American Indians used Aloe for its emollient and rejuvenating powers. The uses of Aloe Vera are multiple and undoubtedly it is a true nature’s gift to humanity.