It's a pleasure to greet you, my dear steemians. In this opportunity we will dedicate this article to the health and beauty, and nothing better than to speak about one of the most known and emblematic plants by the infinity of uses and benefits that contributes: "Aloe vera" also known as the plant of "Sábila". Today we will know a little more about it

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A little bit of history...

Since ancient times Aloe vera has been considered one of the most important plants in folk medicine. Its various uses were transmitted from generation to generation, in different cultures, by royal doctors and priests, leaving in their wake writings and drawings that showed their benefits and goodness.

Entering a little in its history it is interesting to mention that it was called "the plant of immortality" by the ancient Egyptians, which indicates the importance it has since ancient times; they left reference to its benefits in the Papirus of Ebers, written in 1500 BC. For his part, the well-known philosopher Aristotle also had knowledge of the properties of this plant; he recommended to his then disciple Alexander the Great to obtain it in order to heal the wounds of his soldiers; once convinced of it Alexander ordered that it be planted in the battle tanks to always have fresh supplies during his campaigns.

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Another important fact that highlights the value of the aloe plant in time, is that it was used by several Egyptian queens such as Nefertiti and the beautiful Cleopatra, as they say, this included the Aloe Vera in the mythical creams and cosmetic balsams, which undoubtedly helped to seduce the same Mark Antony and part of the Roman army he led. That is why she was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world.

When the plant was in bloom, it was known that the recently deceased pharaoh had arrived safely to the hereafter: "This plant even played a role in the conservation of the mummies of Ancient Egypt," says Kim Beisel of the Aloe Vera Center in Germany.

Aloe vera is a semi-tropical plant native to Arabia, North and South Africa; it generally grows in hot, dry climates, such as Africa, the Mediterranean and many places on the Asian continent, although it can now be found in many parts of the world. It is considered to be a plant of sacred importance to a large number of cultures.

Etymologically, the name Aloe vera has an Arabic, Greek and Latin origin: alloeh, which in Arabic means "bitter substance" and alos, which in ancient Greek means "sea", while vera in Latin means "true".

What are the secret powers that have sustained me on my long road? They are my faith in God, my simple and frugal life and Aloe, whose benefits I discovered in South Africa in the early years of the century," said Mahatma Gandhi.

What is aloe used for?

Between medicinal uses...

*This wonderful plant has a healing function, since it has great power for cell and tissue regeneration, especially in open wounds. Similarly, an anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect that allows wounds to heal completely. It should be noted that its composition of potassium and cellulose, help blood platelets coagulate quickly, achieving the healing of the injury.

*These anti-inflammatory properties make this plant an excellent option to avoid the formation of ulcers, since it acts on the gastroduodenal mucosa being a great protector in lesions of the gastric mucosa.
*It is considered an excellent option for circulation, since it reduces the presence of varicose processes due to its vasoconstricting action.
*Aloe Vera has sometimes been used as a natural remedy to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and, therefore, blood sugar control. However, the quality of the studies is not yet reliable, so it is not recommended by some people for this purpose.

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Some cosmetic uses...

-This plant is widely used for hair care, giving it shine and a healthy appearance. It acts directly on the scalp and effectively helps its growth. In the market there are hair products based on Aloe vera, however there is want to apply the gel directly to the hair naturally.

-Its natural nutrients: minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes, help the regeneration of the skin, in addition to being an excellent moisturizer and cleanser of it.
-Because of its bacterial and astringent properties, this plant is of great help for the treatment of acne, as it regulates the oil in the area and achieves the cleansing of the skin from its deepest layers. It is recommended to apply the gel in the affected area every night, preferably 30 minutes before bedtime and remove with plenty of water upon awakening.

Prof. Ivan Danhof, of the University of Texas, showed that the application of aloe vera gel to the skin accelerated the creation of fibroblasts that produce collagen, a protein that controls the skin's aging process.

-The aging of the skin due to exposure to the sun can be counteracted thanks to its content in minerals and vitamins such as C, E and beta-carotene, acting as a repairer.

Do you want to grow this wonderful plant? Consider the following...

-The Aloe vera is a very rustic plant generally occurs in areas with equatorial, subtropical and tropical climate, and adapts to various temperature changes: However, it dies if the temperature falls below 4 º C.

-This plant needs to have a good water drainage system, since it is sensitive to the constant excess of water, whether it is going to be cultivated in pots or directly in the soil.

-If planting in a pot, it is important to ensure that the pot is at least 50 cm deep. The roots need enough space to develop.

-As mentioned above, the plant has two natural enemies: excess water and cold below 10ºC. In addition, it is a plant very resistant to lack of water and to any type of plagues.

Natural medicine is always considered an excellent option for treatment and disease prevention. Undoubtedly, Aloe Vera is a plant that provides multiple benefits to humans, both in health and beauty, and its versatility makes it a miracle natural product for many. To have it at home is a great advantage, since to our reach it is possible to give it the diverse uses that contribute to our well-being. I confess that when I inquired about the subject I knew much more about the benefits of this plant and that, without a doubt, I will put them into practice. So do not hesitate to do it yourself and take advantage of the treasures that nature offers us.

It was a pleasure to share this subject with you. See you soon.
By @luces