Aloe Vera, known to herbalists as the "medicinal plant" or the "potted physician" has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of ailments. Approximately two thousand years ago the famous physician Dioscordes recorded many uses for Aloe including, insomnia, stomach disorders, mouth and gum diseases, skin problems, constipation, hair loss, wounds and pain.

In fact so popular was Aloe that Alexander the Great was persuaded by Aristotle to conquer the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean to obtain Aloe for wounded soldiers. Marco Polo also discovered the Chinese using the plant to treat stomach ailments and skin problems.

Although Aloe Vera looks like a cactus it is actually a member of the Lily family and is commonly referred to as Barbados Aloe. It has been used in Bermuda for many years as a treatment for both sun and thermal burns.

Aloe can also be used to treat radiation burns and has been cultivated by the US Government for this purpose. Medical research is now confirming these and many other uses for this healing lily of the desert. Aloe Vera plants form a group of leaf blades radiating from the base and growing about 18 to 20 inches tall. Greenish orange flowers are borne on narrow stalks about 30 inches high. The thick blades are edged with spiny white or reddish teeth and the surface may be spotted with white. The bitter greenish translucent gel contained within the leaves gives Aloe Vera its name, which means true Aloe and stems from the Arabic word Alloeh meaning shining bitter substance.

Over seventy-five healing compounds have been identified in Aloe, including steroids, antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic agents, amino acids, enzymes and minerals. Aloe Vera is used widely as a treatment for ulcers.

It can often bring immediate relief for the pain- faster in some cases than with prescription drugs. It not only acts as a natural antacid but helps to speed healing of the stomach lining. In a study from a group of doctors in Florida, eighteen out of eighteen patients were healed of their ulcer after taking Aloe for a six weeks period and remained free of re-occurrences by consuming one tablespoon a day.

In Sanskrit Aloe is called Kumari, which means goddess. East Indian women have long used the plant to maintain beauty and counteract wrinkles. Aloe's moisturising properties have made it a popular ingredient in skin lotions and creams. It can be used for a host of skin problems including cuts, insect bites, psoriasis, eczema and to fade scars.

In America, Carrington Laboratories has isolated one of the sugars from Aloe Vera, a long chain polysaccharide called carrisyn. Carrisyn has been approved and is being used to treat AIDS, herpes and cancer. It appears to both enhance the immune system and slow down the response where there is an over-reaction such as in hay fever.

Aloe works best when fresh as it oxidises rapidly when cut. Apply it directly to the skin (test a small amount first to make sure you are not allergic) or use the fresh gel mashed up in a little fruit juice.

Bottled Aloe Vera juice and gel are also available in health food stores if you do not wish to prepare your own. Summer's coming, so it's a good idea to have a plentiful supply of this remarkably soothing plant on hand.