The Ultimate Guide to Aloe Vera: Nature's Miraculous Balm

I recently harvested about 25 leaves of our home-grown Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller (Family: Asphodelaceae/ Liliaceae)) , and honestly, the hardest part is deciding what’s the most amazing use: its transformative effect on my thin, brittle, unruly hair, or its immediate, soothing relief on my mosquito bites and scabs (bi-product of the bites grrr)- not to mention skin softening! All I had known up to this point was that it was used as a gut aid and in smoothies- that's it! I have my Phytotherapy course to thank -once again.

From the vanity tables of ancient Egyptian Queens to the travel kits of Christopher Columbus, and even whispered about in the paths of modern beauty gurus and spiritual leaders, Aloe Vera has always been reserved for those who seek true, potent wellness - I don't know why- I personally would make sure everyone knows all about it!

📜 Where the Magic Began - History and Culture

Who Discovered it First? (And why it’s complicated)

While the true geographic origin is likely the Arabian Peninsula, the first written record of its medicinal use is attributed to the Sumerian culture on a clay tablet dating back to 2100 BC.

However, the culture that most immortalized it was Ancient Egypt:

• The Egyptian Connection: They called it the "Plant of Immortality." It was used in burial rituals for Pharaohs and was a staple in the beauty routines of queens like Cleopatra and Nefertiti. This is where its medicinal and cosmetic fame truly took hold.

• A Strategy of War: Legend says that Aristotle advised Alexander the Great to conquer the island of Socotra (near the Horn of Africa) just to secure a consistent supply of Aloe to treat his wounded soldiers.

• Global Spread: Arab traders, who named it "Sabar" (meaning 'patience' due to its slow growth), spread it throughout the Middle East and to India (where Ayurvedic healers called it 'Kumari' or 'princess').

🧬 Why It Works So Well - The Science Explained

Aloe Vera gel is a powerhouse, containing over 75 active constituents including vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, and amino acids.

🥄  Recipes & Rituals for the Harvest (DIY)

As I mentioned in the introduction, it's a total life saver if you suffer from bug bites, dry skin and brittle/frizzy hair.

For Your Thin, Brittle, Unruly Hair

Brittle hair is often a sign of a lack of hydration and nutrient depletion. Aloe is rich in proteolytic enzymes that repair dead skin cells on the scalp, acting as a natural conditioner. Its high moisture and pH balance similar to hair's natural pH helps to seal the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and breakage. It’s also known to promote hair growth by boosting blood circulation to the scalp.

For Your Mosquito Bites & Scabs

Bites and scabs are signs of inflammation and minor skin trauma. Picking them introduces bacteria and delays healing. As you’ve experienced, the gel is instantly soothing. The anti-inflammatory enzymes (like Bradykinase) and antiseptic properties rapidly cool the area, taking away the urge to scratch. By moisturizing the scab, it keeps the surrounding skin supple, which minimizes scarring and allows the healing process to accelerate naturally.

Here is my super simple step-by-step guide just in case you want to try this at home:

1. Prepare the aloe leaves (the larger the better, the easier and more sustainable this process will be).
2. With a sharp knife, cut the serrated edges of and about an inch from the tip of the leaf and stand this to drain. I've left my leaves draining for hours to get all the yellow latex (Aloin) out from the leaves.
3. As a secondary measure for precaution, I washed these prepared leaves multiple times under running water and also left them overnight in a bath of water. 
4. Take the knife (or a potato peeler) and gently pierce right beneath the exterior shell of the leaf, sinking the knife slightly into the gel whilst doing so. (Try not to waste too much of the gel). An alternative method I used when experimenting was pulling the skin off the gel as though I was skinning a rabbit. 
5. Using a corer, blade or pumpkin carving tool, scoop out the gel into a bowl (whether in large clumps or pulverized lol)
6. Once you're done, transfer this magical gel into a blender or food processor and blend (because of the saponins, this will froth up. Leave mixture to rest so all those bubbles settle down again and you're left with a stable gel. 
7. As you can see from my photos, I poured this mixture partially into some mason jars that went straight into my fridge for daily use, whilst the largest part was prepared for freezing.
8. Ta-da! And there you have it! No bullshit- no harmful chemicals. Yes it's a ball ache to prepare but I promise you, it will reward plenty! I have 3 young babies, 3 jobs and tons of domestic chores I need to keep up with daily, so I know how pressed for time some of you might be... but trust me when I say this- it's unbelievable!

Disclaimers:

• Always read ingredients in your store-bought Aloe products. I personally am highly allergic to a lot of additives such as Linool, Fragrance, E numbers, preservatives, sulphates, phylates and the list goes on. 
• Make sure you've harvested your leaves from Aloe barbadensis Miller. There are hundreds of Aloe varieties out there and many are NOT suitable for ingestion.
• If you intend on ingesting the gel, ensure that all latex (Aloin) has been drained from the leaves you are working with!
• Aloe gel is SUPER slippery, please be careful when using a knife with it!

Once you have this gift-from-the-gods gel prepared, you can use sparingly, as is.

If you really want to show off then you might want to consider another method I use, my handy-dandy Wort & Wand Hair Growth Balm.

• What you need: 2 tbsp fresh Aloe Vera Gel, 1 tbsp Organic Coconut Oil (melted), 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil.

• Ritual: Mix well. Massage into your scalp and work through the ends of your hair. Leave on for 30-60 minutes (or overnight with/without a shower cap). Shampoo out. Use 1-2 times a week (I'm freakin crazy with this stuff so I almost use it daily!)

For a soothing Bug Bite remedy:

• What you need: Frozen Aloe Gel cubes (you already made these!).

• Ritual: Wrap a cube in a thin piece of gauze or muslin cloth. Press directly onto a fresh mosquito bite, rash, or minor burn for instant, cooling anti-inflammatory relief. This is pure genius for quick soothing!

And lastly, if you're in the mood for extra pampering use my Wort & Wand Simple Aloe & Honey Face Mask recipe:

• What you need: 1 tbsp Fresh Aloe Vera Gel, 1 tsp Raw Honey (natural humectant and antibacterial).

• Ritual: Mix and apply to a clean face for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Perfect for hydrating dry skin and calming mild acne or irritation.

💡 Did You Know?

While you can use the clear gel from the inner leaf for consumption (smoothies, juice), the yellow layer just under the skin, called Aloe Latex, is a potent natural laxative. In fact, historically, the primary commercial use of the dried latex was as a laxative before modern medicine developed alternatives!