Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It is best known for treating skin injuries but has several other uses that could potentially benefit health.

Uses: Treats skin injuries, sunburn, psoriasis, and acne.

Key Properties:

• Antioxidant & Antibacterial: Helps fight infections and reduce inflammation.
• Wound Healing: Accelerates recovery, especially in burns (may reduce healing time by ~9 days vs. conventional treatments).
• Skin Barrier Support: Improves moisture retention and protects against irritation.

Mechanism: Contains antiviral, antiseptic, and anti-itch compounds that prevent infections and soothe skin.

Common Applications: Gels from fresh leaves or processed products for topical use.

Native to Arabia, specifically the south-west Arabian Peninsula however it has become naturalised to many other countries due to cultivation.