Monday, December 12, 2011

Aloe Vera


My pencil sketch of cut stems. The gel can be extracted from the cut at the bottom of the stem.

Alternative Remedy

Unattractive plant
Sans aroma and colors
But herbal secret

Right through the ages
Loyal  and dependable
Won hearts of maidens

Modern remedy
Ready source of reliance
A miracle gel

Process Notes: I was trying hard to know about the goodness of Aloe Vera in its natural state. There are bottles of processed supplements, sun blocks, shampoos,moisturizers and the like in the market but these won’t do. I was lucky last weekend during a visit. It happened that a relative gave some insight on the  application of  the natural gel on the head of her daughter. Apparently to make her mop of hair more luxuriant and black. And she swore by it.

The preparation process is simple. To be safe she does  only for external application. Have a pair of plastic gloves when handling the raw gel she said. It would case itchiness  otherwise.

Cut the stem and pull away the top part to expose the gel. Scrape the gel into a container and leave in the ‘fridge overnight. It can be used the day after to be applied directly to the skin or on the head on the raw.

Aloe Vera gel apparently had been used for a variety of skin care. Helps the formation of new skin cells and hasten healing. With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties it can help reduce swelling ,relieve stinging  effects or itchiness in case of insect bites bruises and blisters. Gives a soothing effect on sunburned skin too.


Submitted to Real Toads OpenLink Monday and d'Verse OpenLinkNight week 22

34 comments:

  1. we have it at our home... my mom n dad have a full book on it.
    its an awesome herbal plant.... indeed its an alternative remedy.

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  2. I love the sun, so naturally I'm a fan of aloe as well when I get too much sun.

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  3. Awesome post Pareng Hank! Thanks for sharing...

    JJRod'z

    Ps. We are back in Canada. There are lots of reason to go back in NYC!..

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  4. Learn something new at your bay, new about the crap on display. But not the raw stuff, maybe I should shove it on the cat's foot to stop her picking huff.

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  5. Hank, you have written beautifully about one of nature's greatest remedies. I always have an aloe plant in my kitchen to address burns as fast as possible... One man I knew in my Bermuda days had been in a moped accident and the skin on his face was half torn off, horrible... his grandma applied aloe, right from that peeled stem, every day. Today you would never know he had ever had acne, even. Smooth skin, beautiful. And yes, a great dry hair remedy. Miracle plant! Thanks, and peace, Amy
    http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/impromptu-for-marques/

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  6. Jyoti - That is great. I couldn't find a good book. Some of the recent ones have very sketchy references. I resorted to Google on this.

    SR Mike - I see you're a user of the sun blocks kind. Have fun in the sun!

    ParengJJ - Thanks. When are we seeing pics of NYC? Should be interesting!

    Pat - It may well do your cat some good.

    zongrik - Thanks


    Hank

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  7. Amy Ma'am,
    Gosh! I had never anticipated for one moment that many of us have had wonderful encounters with Aloe. You confirmed what many had only heard. Since Aloe is of a cacti family, its presence must have been quite widespread from the tropics to the semi-arid areas. Thanks Amy!

    Hank

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  8. Kerry and Jinsky - thanks!

    Dave - Can be considered old wives' stuff so may be you gave it a miss!


    Hank

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  9. Aloe Vera is good for so many things but for me because of the medication I take am not allowed to have it. I enjoyed your post very much and it was a pleasure, to read.

    Yvonne,

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  10. This is great, Hank. When my parents wintered in Mexico, my mother and her friends always had an aloe vera plant handy for cuts or scrapes or burns or whatever. They'd just cut off a piece and apply the cut end to the wound, and it would heal.
    I didn't notice your title when I saw your drawing, but I immediately thought of Mom, and her aloe vera plants.
    K
    PS—I have a little collection of limericks I was going to post today, but something came up overnight, leading me to a different kind of post, so I'm saving them. They made me think of you.

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  11. Nice to write about this fantastic medicinal plant. Glad you discovered it.

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  12. Yvonne - Thanks and knowing about them is already very good.

    Myrna - Thanks for your visit again

    Hank

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  13. Kay,
    I still marvel at knowing many here are familiar with the Aloe! And many believe in the plant. It would be great to view your Limericks. How nice of you. I'm thinking likewise to post a couple this Friday at the Purple Treehouse. It's supposed to be a humor blog.

    Hank

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  14. nice hank..it is really cool to learn about the power that nature has to heal and care for us...we used to keep an aloe plant...trying to think of the others as well...nice sketch too

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  15. Brian - Thanks, you have one too! Great! Hope to sketch more!

    Hank

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  16. Aloe Vera is really a very efficient remedy..!!

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  17. You can't beat aloe vera for sunburn!

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  18. Hank, yes, (salvia in Spanish) is a miracle plant. I fell hiking two years ago, and got a pretty bad cut on my knee and now you cannot even see it. We have approximately 10 plants in our yard. They grow like crazy.
    Nice write and nice drawing.

    Pamela

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  19. Love your sketches, Hank. And so true about aloe vera - a true miracle plant.

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  20. Nice drawing and information on Aloe Vera..I don't have a plant at the moment, but I used to go cut off a little piece of a plant and apply it to a burn or sting...a growing medicine cabinet.

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  21. Madhu and Mama Zen - Thanks

    Pam - Thanks,you have 10 in your yard! That is great!

    Talon and Susie - Thanks, aiming to sketch more often after this!

    Hank

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  22. I used to keep an aloe always growing in the house for burns, and used it cut just the way you mention. It's also an attractive plant that's very easy to grow, even for people who have trouble--just don't overwater it. Loved your poem, Hank--very original.

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  23. wow nice.. i didn't know this.. what a great plant..and what a nice poem hank..

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  24. lovely sketch and poem. We use an aloe plant's gel for minor skin burns around our house. It works great to soothe and heal.

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  25. I've used aloe vera as a complementary remedy for minor skin irritations for years. Other nurses raised their eyebrows in disbelief until they saw the effects. One even said, "So are you going to light candles and sing incantations?" This was before the herb came into popularity. :0)Victoria

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  26. I believe in this too as my dad uses the plant a lot for his skin and hair. Thanks for sharing this ~

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  27. Joy,
    You're already a user, great! Agreed, don't over water being a cacti family!

    Hank

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  28. Claudia - Yes, a miracle plant not given its due until exploited in recent years!

    Sheila - Thanks, aha! another user!

    Victoria - The medical fraternity may well be updated by now.

    Hank

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  29. Excellent ! As you know I love Aloe Vera and we have about a dozen around the house with grand ones measuring 2' tall.

    Lovely sketch and poem.

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  30. Ninot Ma'am,
    Thanks, will soldier on for the ensuing year.

    Hank

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