Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Aloe Vera plant

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I freaking love this healing plant! If you don't know what it is, please sit back from an educational post on this wonderful plant.

Aloe vera is extracted from the aloe plant and has been credited with the ability to serve a medicinal purpose. Aloe is a succulent that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Aloe vera is used in many forms for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a home remedy.Aloe vera that comes directly from the plant is a yellowish liquid. It can be obtained by simply breaking off a piece of the aloe vera plant. The liquid will run out and can be applied topically. The leaves can also be crushed and used as a salve. The healing properties of aloe vera come from the 18 amino acids it contains. It is used to heal skin that has been damaged. A common usage is to sooth sunburned skin. Aloe vera can also be made into juices, gels, powders and is often added to products. Aloe vera can be found in cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and many other common household aloe vera products. The many benefits of aloe vera are not fully researched as of yet.The healing uses of aloe vera have also been studied internally. When taken in a capsule form, aloe vera has proven to be a cure for constipation. Some people have found it to be a helpful cure for acne. Others simply love the way it adds softness to the skin. Other uses are currently unproven, but many people still rely on aloe vera to cure a range of common ailments.For centuries people have respected the healing and soothing nature of aloe vera. Aloe is commonly found as a houseplant. Families often pass down aloe vera plants from generation to generation along with it teaching about the healing properties the plant contains. More and more studies are conducted to help us discover the many ways aloe vera can help to heal the human body.

Source

This plant means a lot to me. Let me tell you why.....

Several years ago I have gotten 2nd degree burns -- A second-degree burn injures the top layers of skin, called the epidermis, and extends down to the deeper layers of skin, called the dermis -- on my right breast-chest area. Although I have gone to the doctor several times, I wasn't getting results. The uneducated doctor told me that I would have to have plastic surgery for that area. It was definitely a large area that was burn -- at least 12 to 15 inches of burnt skin. In addition, he told me that I would have to keep on coming back to get wrapped up by THEM ONLY and pay my co-pay each time. Afterwards, I went to see a dermatologist (now why didn't think of that earlier?), the dermatologist didn't even touch me; he already knew what to prescribe to me. He told me to NOT wrap up anything around the affected area and wear loose, fitting shirts. Plus I had to make sure to keep the area moist so he prescribed to me greasy ointments.

Gosh, I hated the thought of this but had to do it. I knew I would have one BIG UGLY scar! With the education and knowledge from a fellow co-worker, Kim was telling me she had a HUGE aloe vera plant that can heal my scars once the skin starts healing and turns brown. She was NOT kidding at all. I love her for that. Unfortunately Kim left the company and I never gotten to thank her for educating me and we lost touch over the years. I still am grateful to her till this day. Maybe one day I'll meet her again. She used to bring me a new leaf weekly to use on my scars.

Within a few months, my scars were NO more. I have NO - I repeat NO scars from the second-degree burn! Sometimes I forget about that burning incident because I have no scar from it. But I am reminded again how wonderful this aloe vera plant is. Whenever I see or hear about aloe vera plant, I am reminded again about the scar I don't have. :)

A few many posts ago, I blogged about flea bites, I have a lot of scars from the flea bites and went looking for the aloe vera plants EVERYWHERE. For some reason, this year I am unable to find any aloe vera plants in Wal-Mart, Target, and Home Depot - which at first were available there.

I went searching on the net and found this guy in Georgia, where I also live, who has aloe vera plant farm and sells them. Immediately I ordered some. He had a special going on!!! I can not wait to get my plants!

Plus he is including to me in the package on how to take care of them and grow them! I even talked to him on the phone. I am so freaking excited. Hey, I am considering drinking the pulp for health purposes. I've seen in Asian markets - aloe vera drinks.

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