Aloe
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
LocalLocal names & traditional uses
Succulent plant grown worldwide for its skin-soothing gel and traditional medicinal use.
Traditional benefits
- Gel soothes burns, sunburn and minor cuts
- Traditionally taken orally for constipation and digestive issues
- Used cosmetically for hair and skin hydration
Uses & benefits
How people around the world use this plant, and why it matters.
- burns
Valued locally for burns.
- skin care
Applied to the skin for moisture, minor burns and irritation.
Health benefits
What communities traditionally use Aloe for, and why it may help.
- burns
Applied to the skin for wounds, burns, rashes and fungal patches thanks to soothing and antimicrobial compounds.
Herbal remedies & preparation
The common ways plant parts are prepared at home. Always wash material well and use clean water.
- Infusion (tea)
Pour hot water over a handful of fresh or dried leaves or flowers, cover for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Used for gentle, aromatic parts.
- Decoction
Simmer tougher parts — bark, roots, seeds or stems — in water for 15–30 minutes, then strain. This draws out compounds that a quick tea cannot.
- Poultice / compress
Crush washed fresh leaves (or warm them briefly) and hold them against the skin with a clean cloth. Traditionally used on bruises, boils and slow-healing cuts.
- Juice or extract
Blend or pound the fresh part and squeeze out the liquid through a clean cloth. Best used the same day; refrigerate briefly if needed.
- Powder
Dry the part in shade until brittle, grind it, then store in an airtight jar away from light. Stirred into food, pap or water by the spoonful.
- Steam inhalation
Add leaves to a bowl of just-boiled water, lean over it with a towel over the head and breathe gently. Traditionally used for blocked noses and coughs.
- Infused oil or ointment
Steep dried material in a carrier oil (coconut, shea, olive) for days in gentle warmth, then strain. Applied to dry or irritated skin.
Community uses, recipes & remedies
Sign in to shareDisclaimer: Community posts are the personal opinions and experiences of their authors. They are not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before using any plant as a remedy.
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In depth
Simple Facts
Short, clear explanations — great for homework and school projects.
- Aloe is a plant. Plants make their own food from sunlight, water and air.
- Its scientific name is “Aloe vera”. Every species has one, so people everywhere know exactly which one you mean.
- Scientists put it in the Asphodelaceae family, inside the order Asparagales — a group of relatives that share features.
- Its genus (closest relatives) is Aloe.
- Higher up, it belongs to Liliopsida → Tracheophyta → Plantae.
- People use it for burns, skin care.
- Other names people call it: Aloe, Aloès vrai, Aloès amer, Mazambron, Aloès curaçao, Aloès des Barbades, Aloès vulgaire, Aloès vrai, Aloès curaçao, Aloès des Barbades, Aloès vulgaire, Aloès vrai, Aloès des Barbades, Aloës.
- You can find it in places like Galápagos Islands, Africa, Australia, Caribbean, Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China).
- Plants like this one give off oxygen, hold soil together and feed insects, birds and people.
Videos
Watch documentaries, uses and preparation guides on YouTube.
Descriptions
Arabian Peninsula
1300 - 2600 msnm
FALSO
FALSO
Plantas vasculares
1300 - 2600 msnm
Distribution
Synonyms
Common Names
References
- GBIF entry
- Encyclopedia of Life
- iNaturalist
- Fajardo, F., Montealegre, C., & Pardo P, M. E. (2015). ZOCAMATA. Guía de plantas del cañón del Chicamocha. Fundación Natura
- Grace, Olwen M., Ronell R. Klopper, Estrela Figueiredo, and Gideon F. Smith, 2011: The aloe names book. Strelitzia, vol. 28. viii + 232.
- POWO (2025) Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- POWO (2025) Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) PLANTS Database (2021fv), https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ALVE2
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