ALOE VERA: A MODERN FIRST-AID KIT

30 years ago I was gifted a beautiful Aloe Vera plant. I had been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and had spent eighteen months being admitted in and out of hospital in an effort to stay alive. Debilitating intractable diarrhea and vomiting had almost brought me to the point of requiring a colostomy.

The friend who had gifted me the plant had told me of its highly regarded medicinal qualities. At that time, I was too unwell to take heed of what she had told me but accepted the gift and began to nurture the plant. While I admired the plant for its aesthetic look, it didn’t occur to me to delve into its uses until many years later, after I had a mastectomy, in 1998.

One of the health practitioners mentioned the many invaluable medicinal uses of the Aloe Vera plant and I happened to tell her that I possessed my own. The medicinal aloe plants were hard to come by in the nurseries during those years. I had already propagated many plants from my original mother plant, the Aloe Vera Barbadensis that had been gifted to me. I brought one to her on my next appointment and she showed me how to extract the inner gel.

My admiration of the plant had now transitioned to a full love affair and had begun for me a journey of discovery. Over the years, it became my own personal first-aid kit. I would cut a leaf and keep it on the kitchen bench, and another leaf which I would keep in our bathroom. These would usually last me for about one week.

EARTH-FRIENDLY NATURAL CALICO BAGS

Aloe Earth Australia is now selling beautiful, boutique, calico cotton Tote bags with original artwork from Australian artist Betty Coracas.

We at Aloe Earth Australia are committed to helping restore some of the damage to the Earth and its environment through the use, and over-use, of non-degradable plastic bags that have polluted our oceans, seas and waterways, as well as land fill. Each and every one of us can play an important part in rectifying this damage by making a small, yet significant change in our day to day shopping habits.

STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS!

It is not so difficult to take a few beautiful calico shopping bags with you. They can be easily folded and placed into one bag, making them easy to transport or keep in the car.

Unlike the plastic bags which tear and break easily, the calico Tote bags are strong and sturdy and will last a long time before requiring replacement. Being made of fabric, they are also washable.

Our bags come with an open top, small and large sizes, as well as zippered top so they can have many uses, not just for shopping. All bags contain a work of art from Australian artist, Betty Coracas.

The small, open Tote bags not only look attractive, but they are useful for going to the movies or theatre when you require a small bag for water, food, treats, etc.

The large, open Tote bags are heavy duty, capable of carrying many items of shopping at the supermarket, markets, department stores, or general shopping of any sort. The vibrant, unique selection of Australian artwork makes them attractive and appealing to look at. The large tote bags come in two colour styles, the all-natural, and the two-tone natural with black gusset and long black handles. Both look smart and elegant to carry.

The large, zippered Tote bags come in two-tone natural centre (front and back) with black side panels and long black handles. Having the zip at the top provides added security for placing items such as phone, wallets, etc, dispensing with the need for carrying other bags. They have unlimited uses and look smart and attractive.

The bags are great value for money as they have many uses and can be used for a long time.

Great for giftsGreat for shoppingGreat for promotionsGREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!!!

FRIENDS OF EARTH PUBLICATIONS

Aloe Earth Australia is committed to playing its role in assisting the current and future generations of our planet in keeping our planet habitable by humans and other life sources. We recognize the immense damage already inflicted on the planet and its environment through human intervention. Climate change is no longer a threat. It is real! It is here already!

Action is required from every human inhabiting the Earth, from the youngest to the eldest. It is incumbent on us all to do our bit, no matter how small we think the action might be. The sum of all small acts adds up to one large movement!

Those who are in positions of power and responsibility need to lead the way through education, government policy changes, and legislation.Corporate responsibility – All businesses, big and small, should design their corporate policies to take into account environmental impact at all levels, from beginning to end stages of business.The general population is required to make great, positive changes to their lifestyle and day to day habits. Consumerism should be based on need, rather than want (or greed). Waste should be brought down to a minimum.

Aloe Earth Australia would like to begin a general discourse with its customers and anyone else who is a Friend of Earth to spread the word around about how we can all help to repair some of the damage that has been done. Write to us about your environmental concerns and we will publish them on our site and invite the public to express their views. It is only through such on-line interaction and discussion that we have a small chance of influencing those of our leaders in the world who are in a position to take affirmative action.

Let the discussion begin...

PLANT OF IMMORTALITY

Pictures of the aloe plant had been found on the walls of Egyptian temples. It was known as the ‘Plant of Immortality’ by the ancient Egyptians and had been used by their Kings and Queens, including Nefertiti and Cleopatra.

The ancient physicians used it as an all-purpose healing plant. The Greek philosopher/teacher Aristotle, persuaded his pupil, Alexander the Great of Macedonia to overtake the Island of Socotra off the coast of Africa for the ample supply of Aloe for his troops. As they marched across on their conquests of Asia Minor, the Aloe was used both for the healing of their external and internal wounds, since it was known to stem bleeding, and also for their skin. The quick drying gel protected their skins from insect bites and tropical diseases as they marched through swamps and marshes.

During the Crusades, the Templar Knights drank a mixture which they called the ‘Elixir of Jerusalem’ to improve their health and stamina. The elixir combined palm wine, Aloe pulp and hemp.

The Aloe plant had been used in ancient times as an embalming ointment and has been mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. In the New Testament (The Gospel of Mark 15:25) an embalming ointment made of Aloes and Myrrh was used to anoint the body of Jesus after the crucifixion.

Ancient physicians, such as Dioscorides and Pliney the Elder, wrote of the many uses of Aloe in the treatment of ulcerated sores, stopping bleeding wounds, and reducing perspiration. It was the first natural anti-perspirant.

The Spanish Jesuit priests, who had travelled to the New World of Central America and the West Indies, took with them the Aloe plant as an all-purpose healing plant. Christopher Columbus, the Spanish explorer who had discovered America, had once said:

‘Four vegetables are indispensable for the well-being of man. Wheat, the grape, the olive and Aloe. The first nourishes him, the second raises his spirit, the third brings him harmony, and the fourth cures him.

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

During the years that I began using the Aloe Vera gel I made my own discoveries of some of its many uses. Unbeknown to me these were already discovered by the ancient physicians thousands of years before my time.

Burns – After scalding my hand while accidentally leaning on a hot pot, I lathered the aloe gel liberally, feeling its soothing effects instantaneously. Throughout the afternoon and evening I repeated this every hour or so. The next morning there was a small mark where the burn had been, but there was no pain.Sunburn – Since I had already discovered its use for cooking burns, I knew it would also be effective for sunburn. I have olive skin so rarely suffer sunburn, but my fair-skinned neighbour had sun-baked far too long was red as a lobster. I gave her aloe and showed her how to apply it. It relieved her sunburn instantly. Now she uses it as an effective sunblock.Hair – Illness had led to hair loss and hair thinning so I thought I would give it a try applying Aloe Vera gel on the scalp and see what sort of result I would have. Within the first few weeks of use on a daily basis, in the morning and last thing at night, I noticed that my hair looked thicker and more vibrant. By the second month I could see visible new shoots of hair growth where the scalp was previously thinning of hair.Hair gel – Apart from preventing hair loss and assisting with regeneration, I found the Aloe Vera gel a very effective hair gel. Each morning after wetting and combing my hair I applied the gel onto my hands and rubbed it through my hair. After allowing the gel to dry, I combed it again and the hair strands appeared healthier and lively.Insect bites – Ever since I began using the Aloe Vera on my skin I rarely suffered any type of mosquito or insect bites. I used to think it was because I was olive skinned until I read that Alexander the Great and his army used the gel on their skin to guard themselves against tropical diseases as they marched on their conquers of Asia Minor. Now I recommend it to everyone as a natural insect repellent.Skin rashes – Allergies to certain types of foods sometimes caused me skin rashes. I quickly discovered the effectiveness of the aloe gel in relieving the urge to itch.Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and other skin ailments which are all connected to an inflammatory process in the body and a breakdown in the immune system, can be relieved from use of Aloe Vera gel. For those who have access to a fresh Aloe plant, a teaspoon of the inner leaf gel from a young plant is great as an anti-inflammatory. Otherwise, 100 mils daily of the fresh aloe juice will act as an anti-inflammatory. Applying the gel externally, on the skin, will assist in the healing process as well as provide relief from the urge to itch.Bruises and bumps – Applying Aloe Vera gel on bruises and bumps provides a cooling and soothing relief. Bruising goes away quicker and the swelling of bumps also goes down quicker.Heartburn, and inflammation of the digestive tract. Ingesting about one teaspoon of inner leaf gel from a young Aloe Vera plant provides almost instant relief from heartburn and inflammation of the digestive tract. If you do not have fresh leaf readily available, take 100 mils of Aloe Vera juice.Skin repair – Applying Aloe Vera gel daily assists in the repair of skin damage from sun, wind and the elements of nature. It has natural moisture retention, replenishing dry skin, and it is also has anti-fungal properties. As well, it is a natural antiseptic.

These are only ten of the uses of Aloe Vera gel but there are many more….

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We would love to hear your own personal Aloe journey.

The more that people learn of the uses of the Aloe Vera plant and the inner gel, the better off the Earth’s environment will be. Using the plant would rid us of more than half of the chemical, Cancer causing and environmentally destructive products we have in our bathrooms.

The Earth and its people would be a lot happier!!