Aloe Vera Uses in History

Sometimes we think we are the first to discover aloe vera. However, stories of aloe vera uses in history can be found over a number of centuries. I've only saved the first few I've found. I'm sure more can be found if we dig.

Aloe Vera Uses in Napoleonic Wars

One of the first things I learned some years ago about historic aloe vera uses, is that Napoleon, who was an emporer of France in the 1800s, and liked to go to war, had nothing for a field hospital to care for his wounded soldiers except a big horse-drawn wagon laden with large aloe vera plants. About the only resource his medics had to work with was aloe vera gel, fresh from a live plant.

Aloe Vera Uses in Egypt

More recently I read that Cleopatra, (68 - 30 B.C.), a queen of Egypt, liked to use aloe vera for cosmetic reasons. She was famous as the most beautiful woman of her era. (Some even think the Egyptians used aloe vera in embalming bodies). The cosmetic industry of the 19th century finally caught on and have been making millionaries with their creams and lotions, sprays and potions ever since. That has multiplied aloe vera uses many times.

Aloe Vera Uses in Middle Ages Medicine

The Romans and Greeks used aloe vera already in the Middle Ages. A Greek physician by the name of Dioscordes, around 6 B.C. beganto discover how effective aloe vera was against many ailments. He prescribed it for kidney problems, constipation and severe burns. Today, 2000+ years later, many scientific studies have proved that aloe vera REALLY DOES speed up healing - including from radiation burns. Present-day dermatologists use it after doing a facial dermabrasion, which sands scars away from the skin's upper layers.

Aloe Vera Uses in Bible Times

The Bible makes reference to aloes too. This may be from the wider genus family of plants, as some quote 200 and some up to 400 and 500 varieties of aloes. The context of the Bible verses mentioning aloes seems to imply they were used as spices. See Psalm 45:8, Proverbs 7:17, and Song of Solomon 4:14. The one verse from the New Testament that mentions aloes says it was used in embalming the body of Jesus. John 19:39 says that Nicodemus brought 75 lbs. of the stuff to help Joseph of Arimithea to embalm Jesus in the tomb after His cruxifixion.

I don't know of any more uses for it in those days, but it would seem to me that if the rich have it in quanitites like 75 pounds, there must have been enough of a demand so that some people were growoing it it as a commercial crop. In that case, people would be bound to discover it's other healing properties. (This just needs more research).

More & Deeper

ALVEDAMA - Aloe Vera da Medeira - how the Cowens grow and sell their aloe vera on the island of Madeira, just off the coast of Portugal.

Aloe Vera, the Burn Plant - and how I proved it for myself with a second degree burn on my left hand on Easter Sunday. (A photo story).

Aloe Vera Aids Burn Treatment, Wound Healing And Scars - a guest article to explain some of the technical aspects of how this happens.

Freezing Aloe Vera - I've tried freezing the aloe vera gel, hoping to use it later, but that seems to kill the good stuff in it, as I found it looked too yukky when I tried to defrost it to use, however I discuss the pros and cons on this page.

Eating My Aloe Vera - just now I'm eating a large plant that is falling over in a hurry, but also thinking about help for those can't get access to such plants easily.

Back to Eden and Herbal Books Bookstore

Bacterial Vaginosis - and other vaginal irritations can be cured naturally for once and for all.

Plantain - thank God - it's so handy! - A review of the things I've learned about plantain and the many ways to use it as a healing remedy.

Calendula, Marigold - My discoveries and experiences with calendula and how to make an ointment from this herb.

Mint - the Refreshing and Soothing Herb - Mint is one of my most favourite herbs, especially for a refreshing tea that soothes away gas and pain and rattled nerves.

Comfrey - to Close up Your Wounds - Comfrey is the plant that can knit or close up your wounds and put you back together. Comfrey has an excellent effect on inward bruises and pains. A poultice of the fresh leaves is excellent for gangrenous sours, gangrene, mortifications, and moist ulcers.

Herbal Teas - Simple instructions for how to prepare herbal teas, and for different quanties, with links to many old recipes.

Specific Benefits of the Herbs in the Herbal Teas - A quick summary page of herbal benefits to check when deciding which herbal tea blend to make, and want to know what each herb may do for you.

Natural Arthritis Remedies - Natural arthritis remedies and suggestions for a cleanse of the toxins and poisons which cause that intense pain - which could cure you of all arthritis pain.

Odd Cure for Bad Breath - Bad breath can be prevented, perhaps even cured by drinking tea, plus a few other odd cures.

Teas for Colds and Flu Remedies - Recipes for infusions or herbal teas for colds and flu remedies.

Teas to Aid in Good Digestion - Recipes for herbal teas that will help to digest one's food better.

Herbal Teas for Energy and Memory - Recipes for herbal teas for energy and memory to give new vitality and improve your memory skills.

Teas for Relaxing, to Give You Rest - Recipes for herbal teas for relaxing, infusions that will make it easier for you to rest.

Herbal Teas that Heal - Recipes for herbal teas that are able to heal or improve symptoms of more specific health problems.

Teas That Heal - Brewing Recipes - More teas that heal - brewing recipes that have a similar brewing method..

Herbal Tea Remedy e-Book - ready to download

- Holistic Therapies for Animals - see what Dena Schwartz has found to work with animals as well as people.

Key Aloe Product Sources:
Forever Living AoK Puritan's Pride AoK Organic Ease, Inc.