Education: aloes
Humans have found many uses for these wonder plants
ALOES are hardy succulents that can be beautiful too – especially when they flower in winter. Their flowers can be white, yellow, orange, red or pink. Aloes grow in full sunlight and don’t need a lot of water.
Thousands of years ago ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Khoi-San also discovered that many aloes have nutritional and medicinal properties.
DESCRIPTION
Aloes are part of a genus that includes more than 500 species of flowering succulents. They grow in various climates and are found in a variety of shapes and sizes – from miniature plants such as Aloe parvula, shrubs such as Aloe arborescens, rosette-shaped plants such as Aloe maculata, and even tree-like plants with branches such as Aloidendron barberae.
Aloes are endemic to Africa, the Middle East and several islands in the Indian Ocean. Various species occur in South Africa, in the mountains of tropical Africa and on islands close to the continent such as Madagascar.
The well-known true aloe (Aloe vera) originates in the Arabian Peninsula, while bitter aloe or Cape aloe (Aloe ferox) is synonymous with South Africa. Both these aloe species are used in the production of medicinal and beauty products.
Aloes have fleshy, lance-shaped leaves generally arranged in spirals or rosette patterns. The leaves are serrated with small teeth that are usually sharp but sometimes soft.
Most aloes don’t have branches and the leaves grow directly from the stem. The leaves come in a variety of colours and patterns, from bright green or grey to striped or speckled. Aloes are succulents, which means they store lots of moisture in their leaves so are well adapted to dry climates. The flowers are grouped in candle- or cone-shaped clusters. They’re mostly tubular and produce a lot of pollen and nectar, which attracts birds and insects. Aloe fruit are usually small capsules, which dry out and split open to let the seeds out. The seeds are small, brown or black in colour and are mostly angular. Sometimes the seeds also have transparent or white “wings” to help with wind distribution. Larger aloe species have a long lifespan. The mountain aloe (Aloe marlothii), which can grow to about 10m, can live for about 200 years.
The Ancient Egyptians considered true aloe (Aloe vera) as the “plant of eternity” and it was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs. The Egyptians also used the juice from the leaves to treat mild burns and skin irritations. Today aloe products are still used for this purpose.
In Nguni cultures aloe juice has been known for generations for its healing properties. The Xhosa people traditionally use aloe as an antiseptic and to treat a variety of conditions such as ringworm, tapeworm and burns. Aloe is also used to treat intestinal infections in young calves and poultry.
The Zulus discovered aloe juice combats roundworm, while the Pondo people use a mixture of water and aloe juice for a refreshing body wash.
In the ’30s the effectiveness of Aloe vera in treating radiation burns was discovered. Since then it’s become a common ingredient in ointments and balms to treat sunburn, cuts, skin problems and a variety of other conditions.
Aloe juice is extremely bitter and some parents rub it on their children’s nails to keep them from chewing their nails. Has your mom ever put aloe juice on your nails?
Scientists have analysed aloes and discovered the plants contain substances such as anthraquinone, which is a laxative and helps combat constipation.
Other substances found in aloes include immune boosters. Plants such as the krantz or candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens) contain anti-inflammatory substances that help combat viruses and fungi. It can also be taken as a supplement to aid digestion and eliminate toxins from the body. Bitter aloe is an ingredient in a variety of pharmaceutical products such as laxatives, as well as medications for arthritis and sinusitis. Aloe products are good for your skin because the plant is rich in proteolytic enzymes, which aid cell regeneration. Just like true aloe products, products containing bitter aloe are also suitable to treat skin rashes, cuts and bruises, mild burns, sunburn and even toothache. Many beauty products such as shampoo and soap also contain aloe. Because it’s a plant, many believe it’s a healthier alternative to the lab-manufactured chemicals often found in these products.
ALOE TAPPERS
In SA the leaves of the bitter aloe have been harvested by traditional “aloe tappers” since at least 1763. The juice is boiled until aloin crystals form.
For more than 200 years SA has been exporting these crystals to Europe and the Far East for use in the pharmaceutical industry.
The aloe tappers harvest the leaves from the ground up. About 20 leaves are always left on the plant so another harvest can take place in 18 months’ time. Plants need to be at least seven years old before they can be harvested and a single aloe plant is productive for about 40 years.