stem of aloe vera plant Aloe vera – plante grasse résistante pour jardin sec et pot – plant d'Avenir

The Aloe vera plant is a perennial succulent plant known mainly for the unctuous gel hidden in its leaves, used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.

It is technically known as Aloe barbadensis miller (to the select few in the worlds of botany)

In terms of its shape, it can be either shrubby or arborescent.

As a succulent, it is also xerophytic (particularly adapted to dry landscapes and climates).

The leaves are long, triangular and fleshy with a serrated edge. Each leaf has three layers within it:

• 1. An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. - this is the gel that we use to apply to a rash, a burn, a mosquito bite, psoriasis...
  2. The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides - this is used as a laxative as anthraquinones are powerful laxatives (beware...)
  3. The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins - this is necessary for the plant, keeping the necessary elements moving and protecting the internal layers.