Aloe Vera Soothes the Skin

Do you remember the last time you had a really awful sunburn?  Those of you from desert climates will know what I’m talking about here at the Ornate Bird Garden. Your skin got red and inflamed.  You had that feverish feeling.  You knew that you’d feel better in a few days – except for the itching that accompanies the flaking and peeling stage. We all try to be careful in the sun nowadays, but any of us can get sunburned.  (Especially kids!) 

Or maybe you burned yourself while cooking.  The kitchen holds unlimited potential for unfortunate accidents.  Perhaps some cooking oil splattered on you.  Or you scalded yourself with hot water.

All this can be highly unpleasant, especially in the summer and especially in desert climates because hot weather will only aggravate sunburns and kitchen burns.

One healing “herb” you need is Aloe vera (also known as Aloe barbadensis [1]). I use the term “herb” loosely because it is really a succulent.  You’ve seen these handsome deep-green plants before.  Who could fail to recognize their long, narrow leaves, plump with healing gel? Aloe vera has white spots or streaks along its green leaves.  It puts out new leaves from its center. Each of its mature leaves is studded along its sides with soft little barbs that give it a “sawtooth” look.

Aloe vera is a wonderful houseplant: easy-going and undemanding.  Succulents are as tough and hardy as herbs, and you will find that Aloe vera needs minimal care.  Plant it in a pot that allows for plenty of drainage, and put it on your kitchen windowsill. Give it plenty of light, and water it every few days when its soil dries out.

When you get that awful sunburn or cooking burn, take a sharp knife and cut a leaf from your aloe vera.  Chose one of the older leaves away from the aloe’s center.

Split the leaf lengthwise. When you do, you will first notice the release of a clear, watery fluid. Beneath that is a firm, transparent gel that you can scrape up with your fingernail. Smear both fluid and gel all over your irritated skin.  (Don’t eat it; this is just for use on your skin!)  You will be left with the empty skin of the leaf which you can discard.

Neither the gel nor the fluid is especially sticky, nor are they particularly stinky.  (At most, you’ll notice the faint scent of cut grass.) Kids and other squeamish people will be glad of that!  All in all, aloe vera is one of the best “herbs” for your kitchen. Inexpensive starter plants can be found in garden centers. Go get yours today!

References:

[1] The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents by Terry Hewitt. Copyright 1993 by Dorling Kindersley, Limited, London. Page 24.

Disclaimer:  this article on medicinal herbs is for entertainment purposes only. Please check with your doctor before trying any herbal remedy that you hear about or read about.