ORGANIC HEALTH
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A
loe vera is one of the most useful herbs I grow,
and it comes into its own in spring and summer.
It has a long history of use for skincare and
problems, starting with the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra
(c. 69-30 BCE), who used aloe to keep her skin beautiful.
Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, author of the
encyclopedic Naturalis Historia, cited its use externally to
heal wounds, bruises and irritations. More recently it has
been used to heal and soothe radiation therapy burns.
There are up to 500 Aloe species of different sizes,
shapes and flower colours available. They make
excellent garden plants, but quite a few, such as
bitter aloe, have corrosive or poisonous sap in their
leaves. This means if you want to use the sap, you
must ensure you are growing true Aloe vera, so get it
from a reliable source – whether fellow gardener or
nursery (see ‘selected suppliers’ on p.73).
Some other aloes have medicinal uses in different
cultures, but Aloe vera is the most commonly and
widely used.Growing
This succulent perennial grows as a cluster of very
fleshy thick leaves, with prickly margins and no stems;
sometimes the leaves have white spots. The flowers
grow in erect spikes and are orange/yellow.
Aloes typically need hot, dry conditions and very
good drainage, making them useful for rockeries and
dry climate gardens. However, with excellent drainage,
they also do well in tropics. If you live in a cool climate
and have heavy soil, then you may only be able to keep
Aloe vera alive if you grow it in a large shallow pot in a
warm microclimate (Aloe vera does well in pots and even
hanging baskets).
Plants that experience prolonged wet periods may
rot at the base and die. Another killer is heavy frost.
Conversely, I have found that too much intense dry heat
will cause leaves to fade and brown, so some protection
from the hot, midsummer, afternoon sun is beneficial.Herb author and expert Penny Woodward looks at the
wonders of soothing Aloe Vera and how to grow your own.When it all gels
PHOTO: PENNY WOODWARD Above: Aloe vera in my garden.