Aloe vera: The Healing Plant
The aloe vera plant has a wide verity of medicinal purposes. Known widely as a healing herb, the aloe vera plant has been used in medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. In addition to medicine the extracts are used in cosmetics for their rejuvenating, healing and soothing properties. The scientific name for the Aloe Vera plant is, Aloe Vera (L.) Burm. f., This plant is well known for its thick, juicy, leaves and the many uses of the gel obtained from the leaf. The Aloe Vera plant is widely cultivated, as well as other members of the genus Aloe family and is not considered to be threatened. This plants naturalized habitat is dry, often rocky and exposed areas.

very short stems and is a succulent plant that grows between 24-39 inches tall. The leaves green to grey-green and are fleshy and thick. Some varieties have white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaves have small white teeth that are serrated. Flowers are produced during the summer season.
This plant is widely cultivated throughout the world. Although the natural range of Aloe Vera is unclear, naturalized stands of the species can be found in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula, through North Africa, and as well as in Sudan and neighboring countries. You can also find it within the Canary, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands. In the 17th century the species was introduced to China and various parts of southern Europe.
Aloe vera is widely grown has an ornamental plant, with popularity among gardeners for its interesting flowers, form and succulence. The succulence enables it to thrive ideally in garden rockeries and other low water gardens. Though the plant is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow, the species can survive in subzero temperatures. During winter the plant can become dormant and doesn’t require