July 2004
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In this issue:
This rather basic plant is one of nature's wonders that soothes, protects and rejuvenates skin and helps to heal wounds. It is classified under the botanic family Aloeaceae, the genus being Aloe and the specie vera. Aloe vera is also known as Cape, Barbados, Curaiao, Socotrine or Zanzibar aloe, looks very much like a type of cactus plant, but is actually a member of the lily family, which includes the garlic and onion plant.
The plant is found in tropical and desert regions throughout the world, and the easily recognizable large, fleshy, spiny and succulent leaves are popular for their many medicinal properties.
The sap of the leaves has medicinal properties and is bitter and shiny (the word Aloe is derived from an Arabic word which means "bitter and shiny").
The sap has an almost neutral PH value and contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals that make it ideal for soothing skin inflammations.
Most of the proof substantiating the healing power of Aloe was anecdotal, until 1943, when a doctor who was working with burn victims "discovered" that Aloe Vera gel was an astonishingly effective treatment for burn wounds.
He found that applying Aloe Vera to burns lessened the pain and seemed to reduce scarring. He reported his findings in various medical journals, and other researchers started to investigate the matter.
Today, we know a lot more about the chemical make-up of Aloe Vera and its various healing properties due to this research as well as further studies conducted.
- Contains constituents that accelerate wound healing
- Helps reduce inflammation, pain and itching
- Is a wonderful moisturizing agent and penetrates all skin types, quickly and deeply
- Is naturally hypoallergenic (does not cause allergic response in most people) and has about the same PH balance as the skin
- Stimulates the body's immune system
Aloe Vera was first mentioned in the Egyptian "Ebers" papyrus at around about 1552 BC and legend has it that the beautiful Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, attributed her beauty to the use of Aloe Vera.
Aloe Vera is said to have caused a war! When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC, he heard of the amazing healing properties of the plant, then found on the island of Socotra, off the coast of Somalia. He promptly sent his army off to conquer the island of Socotra and thereby secured a supply of Aloe Vera for his troops.
It is reported that Aloe Vera has been used medicinally in Ancient Greece, since the 4th century, and Dioscorides, a noted physician, described the use of Aloe Vera in "De Materia Medica" (AD70).
Documents from the 10th century show use of Aloe Vera in Anglo Saxon medicine, and the earliest reference of the use of the herb in Chinese medicine dates from the 11th century.
Aloe Vera gel is squeezed from the leaf, and may be used as a natural bandage for small cuts and abrasions, as it seals the wound, promotes healing and helps to prevent infection.
Many people report that smoothing Aloe Vera gel on sun burnt skin also provides great pain relief and is beneficial to healing and soothing irritated skin.
Aloe Vera is used internally for its antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, diuretic and colic properties, and the cells on the leafs inner skin are extracted for use as a very powerful laxative.
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Aloe Vera is an ingredient of many of our topical skin care products, and to view our product catalogue, please
click here. |
- For more information about aloe vera, please visit the aloe vera page in our herbal index, by clicking here.
Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from the West Indian, Madagascar or Guatemala Lemongrass plant (Poaceae family of the Cymbopogon genus - specie flexuosus), which is a fast growing, tall, aromatic and perennial grass which grows up to 1.5 meters in length.
The plant grows wild in India and produces a network of roots that quickly exhausts the soil. The leaves are long and thin, and bend and fall towards the ground in a disheveled manner, giving the plant an untidy appearance.
The essential oil is distilled from fresh or partly dried Lemongrass leaves using steam distillation.
Lemongrass is employed in traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine to treat infectious illnesses and fever and is known as "Choomana poolu", Indian Verbena or Indian Melissa oil. The leaves also play an important part in Indian and other Asian cooking.
Lemongrass essential oil has a pleasant lemony, sweet smell and is dark yellow to amber and reddish in color. It is watery in viscosity.
Aroma therapists use lemongrass to ease pain, lift depression and as a general tonic. Lemongrass has many purposes and uses and can be used in the following ways:
- In burners and vaporizers
- For nervousness and as an insect repellent
- In blended massage oil or diluted in a bath
- For cellulite
- digestive problems
- diuretic
- infections
- nervousness
- for over exerted ligaments
- a general tonic or pick-me-up
Lemongrass essential oil revitalizes the body, reduces and relieves symptoms of jetlag, clears headaches and helps with nervous exhaustion and stress related conditions. It is useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and fever. It is reported to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to be useful for this purpose, if placed in a vaporizer or burner, in a sickroom.
A few drops of the oil can be added to your cat or dogs bath, to help make kitty or pooch smell nice, as well as to help rid your pet of ticks and fleas!
Lemongrass oil has great benefits as a muscle and skin toner and may be applied in a massage medium to sprains, bruises and dislocations to help heal, ease the pain and make a muscle or joint more supple.
Lemongrass can irritate a sensitive skin, so care should be taken if you have a sensitive skin. It is best to do a skin patch test before use if you are in doubt.
The oil should be avoided during pregnancy and please refer to our detailed safety instructions before using ANY essential oils.
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- If you want to read more about the herb lemongrass, please access the specific page in our herbal index by clicking here.
Other articles of interest 
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