Aloe vera
Aloe vera · Family: Asphodelaceae
- Light
- sun
- Watering
- very low
- Hardy to
- 0 °C
- Soil
- poor, well drained
Where it grows on Tenerife
Grows in: South coast · South, 300–1000 m · North coast
Indicative conditions, reviewed by Marianna.
Photos
Origin and history
Native to the Arabian Peninsula and grown as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. It is farmed commercially in the Canaries.
Written for this site, pending Marianna's review.
From Wikipedia
Aloe vera () is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed and is considered an invasive species in many regions of the world.
An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula but also grows wild in other tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated commercially and has been used for centuries as a topical treatment. The species is considered attractive for decorative purposes and is often used indoors as a potted plant.
The leaves of Aloe vera contain significant amounts of the polysaccharide gel acemannan, which may be used for topical purposes. The leaves also contain aloin, a toxic compound. Aloe vera products are typically made from the gel.
Aloe vera acemannan may be used in skin lotions, cosmetics, ointments, and gels for minor burns, skin abrasions, insect bites, and windburn.
Oral ingestion of aloe vera extracts may cause acute abdominal pain and cramps, and hepatitis if consumed chronically. It should not be used during pregnancy. Some people have allergic reactions to aloe when used on skin.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: Aloe vera