Aloe Vera Through the Ages: A History of the Healing Plant
Aloe Vera, often referred to as the “burn plant,” has a rich history passed down through centuries by word of mouth. This remarkable plant, related to the Aloe Vera family, has been celebrated for its medicinal and natural properties.
Ancient Egypt:
One of the earliest documented uses of Aloe Vera is by the ancient Egyptians. They revered Aloe Vera for its healing properties and even depicted it on temple walls. Over the years, Aloe Vera earned the nickname “Plant of Immortality” due to its perceived magical and medicinal significance. While there’s debate about whether Egyptian queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti used Aloe in their beauty treatments, the plant was undoubtedly held in high regard by the Mahometans of Egypt. They considered it a spiritual symbol, believed to protect against evil influences when its leaves were hung in doorways.
A fascinating historical tidbit is that Egyptians used Aloe Vera to create papyrus scrolls and as a treatment for tuberculosis. To attend a Pharaoh’s funeral, guests had to bring a pound of Aloe as a tax. Aloe was also used in embalming, and the amount of Aloe a person brought to a funeral demonstrated their wealth and esteem for the departed king.
History of Aloe Vera:
In Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (present-day Iraq), Aloe Vera was used to ward off evil spirits from homes. The Knights Templar drank a mixture of palm wine, Aloe pulp, and hemp during the Crusades, calling it the “Elixir of Jerusalem.” They believed it promoted longevity and good health.
The island of Socotra, located near the Horn of Africa, has been a prominent site of Aloe Vera plantations since as early as 500 BC. Aloe Vera plants grown here were traded with countries like India and China. Aristotle persuaded Alexander the Great to capture the Isle of Socotra to secure their pure Aloe supplies.
Many Names of Aloe Vera:
Hindu culture regarded Aloe Vera as having grown in the Garden of Eden and called it the “silent healer” due to its medicinal properties. Ancient Chinese physicians believed in the therapeutic properties of Aloe Vera, dubbing it the “harmonic remedy” and using Aloe juice for rashes, burns, and sores. Russian culture referred to the Aloe plant as the “Elixir of Longevity,” associating it with healing properties and a longer life.
Aloe Vera and the Bible:
Aloe Vera was esteemed in biblical times. King Solomon valued Aloe and used it in various ceremonies. References in the Bible highlight its purity and use in embalming. Psalms 45:8a mentions fragrant garments with myrrh and Aloe, and the Song of Solomon 4:14b refers to myrrh, Aloe, and spices.
Aloe was recognized for its purity and the essential ingredients it contained. The fleshy leaves held Aloin, a substance used in embalming when dissolved in water and combined with myrrh.
Aloe Uses Through the Ages:
Around 600 BC, Arab traders brought Aloe Vera to India. They referred to it as the “Desert Lily” for its internal and external uses. Arabs discovered how to extract the inner gel and nutritional sap from the outer rind, stomping the sap from the leaves with their feet. This innovation allowed them to create Aloe powder, which was more convenient to transport and preserved longer.
During Roman times, Dioscorides, who traveled with the Roman Army, wrote about Aloe Vera’s use for treating various ailments, including boils, skin irritations, and more. Pliny the Elder, a physician, mentioned Aloe Vera in his writings and even proposed using it as a deodorant.
Galen, a physician to a Roman Emperor, used Aloe Vera to treat wounds and burns, contributing to his extensive knowledge of herbal medicine.
Aloe Vera in Europe:
In the 15th century, during the Age of Exploration, Aloe Vera was introduced to the West by Jesuit priests in Spain. They brought it to the “new world,” passing it on to Central America, the West Indies, California, Florida, and Texas. This is where many of today’s largest Aloe Vera plantations are located.
Christopher Columbus received a letter from his doctor, Dr. Diego Alverez Chanca, during his second voyage to America in 1494. The letter highlighted the importance of Aloe Vera for human well-being. The Jesuits introduced Aloe Vera to the “new world,” cultivating it in various regions.
In modern medicine, the potency of Aloe Vera was at risk due to oxidation when imported, as the plant was most effective when fresh. However, in the 1970s, processing techniques were perfected, leading to the creation of modern stabilized Aloe Vera gel.
Today, Aloe Vera is part of a multi-billion dollar global industry, with Forever Living at the forefront. From its ancient use in Egypt to its current status, the history of Aloe Vera continues to benefit human health, and its legacy endures.
