The 4 aloes: great friends of your skin

Aloe vera is undoubtedly the best known and most appreciated species for its medicinal uses. However, other aloes share with it some of its excellent regenerative, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory virtues.

The popular aloe vera

The Aloe Vera or Barbadensis is the most commonly used medicinally and less irritating for less aloína own. It has elongated bluish-green leaves and yellow or orange flowers. It is digestive, laxative, purgative, cholagogue, regenerating, demulcent and moisturizing. Who is it for:

• Topically, parenchyma gel is used to regenerate the skin. Its highly moisturizing mucilages make it effective on irritated skin, sunburns, stings, acne, stretch marks, dry eczema, dermatitis, herpes and superficial wounds, and to protect the gums.
• Internally, acíbar is used in constipation and gastritis – it repairs the gastric mucosa – and for blood pressure and rheumatic pain.
• How to use: the gel on the skin or in body milk, shampoo, hand cream, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc. The acíbar, in powder, tincture, juice or capsules.

Arborescent, decorative and protective aloe

The arborescent or candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescent) is used more in gardening than in herbal medicine, but it is dermo protective, demulcent and moisturizing. It can measure two meters and between its huge, light green leaves, red tubular flowers grow. Who is it for:

• The gel, like that of aloe vera, is useful to repair damaged skin and in dermatitis, stretch marks, spots, burns, eczema, pimples, tears or wounds; however, it can cause irritation in allergy sufferers.
• How to apply: the gel directly on the affected area.

Stained Aloe, a natural soap

The Aloe maculate or saponaria, of smaller size and yellow or orange flowers, has sharp leaves with white spots and is widely used in gardening. It is considered dermo protective, demulcent, hydrating, regenerating, antiseptic, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory. Like aloe vera, it contains little aloin, and the gel is also used. Who is it for:

• Traditionally it is used as soap and, although little, as a dermal repair and to reduce inflammation in case of rheumatic or muscular pain.
• Internally it is indicated in digestive disorders, intestinal parasites and gastric inflammation.

Cape Aloe, laxative

The Aloe ferox, gray – green and larger, is laxative, digestive, cholagogue, anti – inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, demulcent, dermo protector, regenerative and moisturizing. Who is it for:

• Its aloins and oleoresins increase intestinal peristalsis. It is effective in specific constipation and mild digestive and liver disorders.
• Externally, it regenerates skin damaged by sunburn, wounds, cancer treatments, herpes or fungal infections.
• How to take it: pure aloe juice and powder, tincture or capsules; the parenchyma is applied directly to the skin and with a wide variety of cosmetics.