
     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 know 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 relive
     and  aids in healing minor burns,  scrapes, cuts, skin ulcers, cold sores,
     pressure  sores, and sunburn. Aloe breaks down dead tissue in a wound 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 open air, so leave the wound uncovered if
     possible.  It should not be used on burns that are more then skin-deep, or
     skin  ulcer  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
     reduces  arthritis  inflammation. Fresh aloe gel  is much more potent than
     gel that has been 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, dematitis, and eczema.

