Aloe vera, scientific name aloe vera, is a perennial evergreen succulent plant of the family Aloe Vera. It is native to northeastern Africa, but has been widely introduced around the world, especially in tropical and ** regions where it is cultivated in large quantities as ornamental plants, medicinal plants and cosmetic ingredients.
Morphological characteristics and growth habits:
Aloe vera plants are short-stemmed or stemless clusters, with thick, juicy leaves, usually long or inverted-lanceolate, with small serrated spines on the leaf margins.
The inside of the leaves is rich in gel-like substances, which are often referred to as "aloe vera gel", which is the most important medicinal part of aloe vera, rich in a variety of bioactive components such as polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Aloe vera is highly drought tolerant and adaptable, does not have high soil requirements, but grows best in well-drained sandy loam soils, prefers sunny environments, and is not cold tolerant.
Aloe vera species and their characteristics:
1.Curacao Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Aloe Vera):
The most well-known and widely used variety, the most commonly used aloe vera species in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, is known for its rich gel content and remarkable therapeutic properties.
2.Aloe chinensis (also known as aloe chinensis):
The leaves are smooth, bright green, with no hard spines or only a few small teeth on the edges, and also contain usable aloe vera gel, which is also suitable for ornamental and medicinal use.
3.Aloe arborescens:
The plant is tall and large, can reach several meters high, and the leaves are wide and dense, and are mostly used for ornamental and medicinal purposes, especially in horticulture for its high ornamental value.
4.Pearl aloe vera (aloe perfoliata):
Also known as spiral aloe vera, it is characterized by the close arrangement of the leaves, forming a unique spiral-like structure, which is quite ornamental, and also contains aloe vera gel for mild wound healing and moisturizing skin care.
5.Other aloe vera varieties:
There are many other varieties of aloe vera in different shapes, sizes and colors, such as aloe vera variegata, aloe endron barberae, aloe nobilis, etc., each with different ornamental properties and certain medicinal properties.
Aloe vera is a plant with high practical value and ornamental value, and its diverse varieties meet the needs of many fields from medicine, health care, beauty to horticultural decoration. Aloe vera gel is widely used in the manufacture of skin care products, the development of health care products, as well as minor burns, inflammation, etc. Although aloe vera is effective, it is necessary to pay attention to individual differences when using it, especially when eating, not all aloe vera varieties are suitable for oral consumption, such as aloe vera is relatively safe, but it still needs to be handled with caution to avoid possible ***, especially for pregnant women, children and people with allergies, they should be used according to the doctor's advice.