Aloe Plant example essay topic

388 words
Aloe Aloe (Agave) is a genus of plant that has more than 150 species. Agave is native to South Africa but has been brought to America and is best-known here as American aloe (Agave americana), or century plant. An aloe plant has a short stem, fleshy, lanceolate leaves that form in rosettes at the end of each stem, and red or yellow tubular flowers in dense clusters. The different species of aloe differ in size from a few centimeters to more than thirty feet. The plant only blooms one time between the ages of ten and twenty-five.

When it finally does bloom, the plant grows a long stalk that grows rapidly up to about fourth foot. The aloe plant is very helpful in making many medicines. The plant is ninety-six percent water and the rest contains active ingredients including essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins. Powered aloe juice (sap) is a laxative. Modern healers have used it since the 1930's. Many liquid health treatments are made, some combining aloe juice with other plants and herbs.

The juice is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers. Aloe vera gel is used to; heal wounds, heal ulcers, and speed up the healing process of burns by putting a protective coating on the affected area. As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions. Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over acidity - a common cause of indigestion. To make many of the medicines the plant must be crushed or taken apart.

Aloe vera gel is made by pulverizing the whole leaves of the plant. Alo juice is made from the inner leaf. In conclusion, the aloe plant is very helpful in medicine and everyone could use to have an aloe plant on hand. You never know when you will get a bad sun-burn, with the aloe plant all you have to do is break off a leaf and rub the gel on your bun, it provides instant relief.