The aloe vera plant is known to almost everyone and is now included in a wide range of products, making it one of the best-known herbs in the world.
Aloe vera is a plant known and used for thousands of years. It has been proven that it was used in Egypt more than 6,000 years ago, and the Sumerians also knew its healing effects 4,000 years ago.
Aloe vera grows directly from the ground. It consists almost exclusively of leaves, which can be up to 50 cm long and 7 cm wide. The leaves are surrounded by a layer of wax, the edges are spiky. This makes the plant resemble a cactus, but looks similar to agave. Interestingly, however, it does not belong to the family of cacti or agave, but the family of lilies.
Aloe vera produces its nutrients and stores the water they need to survive. Inside the leaves, the active ingredients are embedded in a kind of gel.
There are nearly 200 different active ingredients in this gel. One of the most important of these is the polysaccharide acemannan. It is incorporated into the cell membranes of humans and strengthens the body as it has a very positive effect on the immune system. People produce this substance themselves until puberty, after which it must be ingested. It also contains vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and enzymes.
The gel is slimy and is quickly absorbed into the skin. Long before that, it was also used in ancient times for wound healing and burns. The ingredients of the plant are really good for the skin. For this reason, it is used in many cosmetic products.