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H/8/1966

ALOE VERA, a dramatic-looking succulent, is a house plant that will also do
wonders for burns, cuts and abrasions.

Aloe Vera is a member of the lily family found in dry, tropical parts of the
world. Most are from Africa, where there are about 180 known species.

Aloe Vera is called the Barbadoes aloe because it was extensively planted in
Barbadoes and other islands of the West Indies. It is one of the plants from
which the "bitter aloes" of the drug trade are extracted. This medical substance
is the dried juice and is used as a purgative and tonic. Curiously enough, it
is this native of warm climes that Scandinavians hand down from generation to
generation as a house plant.

Aloe Vera will flower occasionally if properly grown. The yellow or reddish
tubular flowers are carried gracefully on stems about a foot tall. The
succulent leaves are one of nature's perfect packaging miracles. Break a leaf
off the fleshy stem from which a fan of sessile leaves radiate, and the plant
quickly seals in the vital juices. Even the cut segment will heal over the end
where it is sliced and retain its plumpness to remain green for several days.
In a refrigerator it keeps for two or three weeks. The gummy juice first exuded
from the cut leaf of aloe contains the active principal-aloin. When dried, this
is the material used in medicine. The transparent pulp from a fresh-cut leaf
does the work of healing cuts and burns.

It took World War II and the tragic consequence of radiation burns to supplement
the reputation of Aloe Vera for external use. The value of aloe gel for X-ray
burns and other skin troubles has sparked a new industry for Florida, where the
plant grows profusely out of doors. Aloe Creme Lab. in Ft. Lauderdale makes the
sun burn relief lotion.
The best way to keep Aloe Vera at hand for emergency first aid is to grow a plan
on a windy sill - preferably in the kitchen. It does not need sunlight directly
on the plant. In fact, even where it is cultivated in quantity, taller trees are
interspersed among the rows to give partial shade. A tip of the leaf may be cut
from the lower portion of a potted plant without damage to the rest of the leaf
or other leaves.

Treat the plant rather like an African Violet. Water it from below, keep it warm
and do not let cold water strike the leaves.

To get a plant to begin with, you can order from Mrs. E. Roberson, Garden of
Memoried, Box 107, Hagerman, Idaho; or Logee's Greenhouse, Danielson, Conn.

(Flora Goff)
From House & Garden magazine