Its the holiday season, relatives coming in for dinner and you are preparing all your yummy recipes. But you accidentally cut your finger from chopping onions! We often go straight to the sink and clean the wound in running water. You don’t want the casserole to taste bloody. But you want to salvage your finger, hence aloe vera first aid to the rescue!

About the plant: The aloe vera is a sun-loving plant. Its a hardy plant that will grow in dry conditions. Mainly grown in the tropical and semitropical countries. There are about 275 genus in the Aloe worldwide, commercially the most popular is the Aloe vulgaris Lamarck, or simply “aloe vera”.

What I discovered: The aloe vera plant’s popularity stems from the “magical” sap (jelly-like) stored inside its leaves. It says in some studies that the sap have a complex active carbohydrate ingredient called acemannan that attributed to the healing properties of the aloe vera plant. The aloe vera plant is known for its soothing, moisturizing and healing property. It is usually applied in minor cuts, wounds, burns and irritated skin. Its also a popular cosmetic ingredient we see in hair care products, soaps, lotions, etc.

As a first aid, you slice a leaf and put the sap in the affected skin to sooth and heal the cut. The soothing properties of the sap allows the affected skin to heal and known to prevent scar! You can also directly apply it to insect bites and fungal infections.

Whats hot: Continued studies of the healing wonders of the aloe vera plant for potential new applications and healing in treatment of cancers, tumors, ulcers, wounds, inflammatory diseases, and who knows HIV?

What’s not-so-hot: The dagger-like leaves of the aloe vera plant is not safe to be around with kids. It is said that aloe vera is not recommended for severe burns and for pregnant women.

Latest fad: The Aloe Vera Juice! Because of its soothing property, drinking aloe vera juice helps people with stubborn constipation, a laxative effect on the bowel. It also said that it has therapeutic effects on arthritis, ulcers, diabetes and other health conditions.

The aloe vera plant is simply amazing. For further reading I recommend, “Aloe Vera: Nature’s Soothing Healer,” by Diane Gage.