

                                     ALOE VERA
                                     =========

                                    CULTIVATION:
     Aloe  vera is a plant with clusters  of very fleshy blades, usually prickly
     at  the  margin  and  tip, bearing erect  spikes  of  yellow, orange or red
     flowers. They appear most of the year.

     Aloe vera needs full sun or light shade and a frost-free location. The soil
     should  be gritty and well drained. Sow seeds  in spring at 70 deg. F. Aloe
     produces  offshoots, which may be removed and replanted when they are a few
     inches  tall.  Remove  offshoots  in summer,  then  dry  for  2 days before
     planting  in 2 parts of compost and 1  part sharp sand. Maintain 41 deg. F.
     minimum. Aloe is an excellent indoor plant.

     Cut  leaves  from  plant  as needed. No  method  of  preserving is known at
     present,  although  a  product  called aloe  vera  gel  is  available. This
     contains 99.9% aloe vera.

                   CULINARY USES: ============== NO CULINARY USES

                                   MEDICAL  USES:
     The  aloe  vera  plant  contains  Salicylates,  the  same  painkilling  and
     anti-inflammatory  compound  found in aspirin.  It  also contains magnesium
     lactate, a substance capable of causing skin irritation and itching.

     The  gel from the center of the  leaves may provide temporary pain relieve.
     It  also  aids  in healing minor  burns,  scrapes,  cuts, skin ulcers, cold
     sores,  pressure sores, and sunburn. Aloe breaks down dead tissue in wounds
     even  as  it helps regenerate new  tissue,  spreading the healing of burns.
     Aloe  also  helps  repair skin damaged by  cold.  It can greatly reduce the
     damage caused by frostbites.

     Aloe  works  best  when  exposed to air,  so  leave  the wound uncovered if
     possible.  It should not be used on  burns that are more then skin-deep, or
     skin  ulcers  larger than a dime.  Aloe  vera attracted some attention from
     government for its ability to heal radiation burns.

     A  study  found a special cream of  aloe,  vitamin C, and other ingredients
     reduce  arthritis inflammation. Fresh aloe gel is much more potent than gel
     stored and added to commercial preparation.


                                      WARNING:
     Do  not  take  internally, the sap is  a  strong  laxative. Some people are
     hypersensitive to aloe vera and will develop a rash.


                                  COSMETIC  USES:
     Fresh aloe vera gel is a useful emollient hair conditioner. Break open the
     leaf, rub the gel through your hair, wait
     15 minutes, the shampoo thoroughly.

     Use  the  leaf  sap  to make  a  soothing  and  healing moisturizing cream
     especially  for  dry skin. Crush the leaves  or  slice them and apply as a
     poultice for chapped skin, dermatitis, and eczema.
     
