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Herb of the week for 8th June
by Lynn Kirkland
Hello the Aloe
June usually brings lovely crisp mornings
and clear days and the gardens do their
best to provide an attraction for the
birds.
The bright and beautiful flowers of these
aloe plants will attract the wax eyes
and give great pleasure as they enjoy
the nectar from the flowers or perhaps
it is the seeds that bring them in great
numbers.
This aloe is not aloe vera which is said
to be the most medicinal of the aloe family.
Aloe vera is not frost hardy and is best
grown in a pot.
However any aloe can be used for healing
by splitting open the leaf and applying
the clear gel to burns, insect bites,
pimples or grazes.
There are some people who are allergic
to aloe so it makes sense to do a patch
test before applying aloe to a skin problem.
Just apply a little to your pulse point
inside your wrist and wait for a few moments.
If you feel any irritation just wash off
the aloe and do not use it.
Most people find aloe the best treatment
possible for burns. It is wise to still
use cold water first and then apply aloe.
I have taped a split leaf onto a scald
and it has been wonderful in taking all
the heat away and healing without scarring.
Just dab a little aloe gel onto spots
and the astringency and antiseptic properties
will have it gone in no time.
If you get bitten by an insect the relief
from aloe gel is immediate.
What a great herb to have in the garden
both for its healing properties and its
attractiveness to the eye and to the birdlife.
The
HerbFarm Website:
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