Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera Detailed Encyclopedia
Aloe vera is a common medicinal plant with heat-clearing, detoxifying, laxative, and beauty-enhancing properties. Originating from tropical Africa, now widely cultivated worldwide, it is a traditional medicinal plant and an important raw material for modern cosmetics and health products.
Basic Information
Family：Liliaceae
Scientific Name：Aloe vera
Origin：Africa, now cultivated in Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan of China
Harvest Period：Year-round
Growth Years：2-3 years
Plant Height：60-90 cm
Morphological Characteristics
Leaves：Thick fleshy leaves, lanceolate, rosette arrangement, serrated margins with spines
Flowers：Raceme inflorescence, yellow or orange flowers, blooming February-March
Roots：Fibrous root system, shallow
Stem：Short stem or stemless
Growth Environment
Soil Requirements：Well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.5-7.5
Water Requirements：Drought-tolerant, water sparingly, avoid waterlogging
Light Requirements：Sun-loving, requires full sunlight
Temperature Requirements：20-30°C, not cold-tolerant, keep above 5°C
Humidity Requirements：Relative humidity 40-60%, drought-tolerant
Classification & Varieties
Main Varieties
Processing Types
💊 Medicinal Value
Nature & Taste：Bitter, cold
Meridian：Enters Liver, Large Intestine meridians
Main Efficacies
- •Clears heat and detoxifies, suitable for heat-toxic sores, burns, and skin inflammation
- •Moistens intestines and relieves constipation, improves bowel dryness and constipation
- •Clears liver and purges heat, treats liver fire hyperactivity, red eyes and headache
- •Kills parasites and treats malnutrition, improves childhood malnutrition
- •Beauty and skin care, moisturizing, promotes wound healing, anti-aging
Active Ingredients
📖 Usage Methods
Dosage
- •Decoction: 1-3g
- •Powder: 0.5-2g
- •External: Apply fresh gel to skin
- •Tea: Small amount in herbal formulas
⚠️ Contraindications
- •Contraindicated in spleen-stomach deficiency cold, pregnant women
- •Use with caution in hemorrhagic diseases
- •Contraindicated in pregnancy and menstruation
- •Children use under medical supervision
🌱 Cultivation Techniques
Cultivation Points
- •Select sunny location with good drainage
- •Use sandy loam or cactus soil mix
- •Spring planting, plant spacing 30-50cm
- •Water sparingly, fertilize moderately
Common Pests & Diseases
Prevention Measures：Avoid overwatering, maintain good drainage
Treatment Methods：Remove affected parts, spray fungicide
✂️ Harvest & Processing
Harvest Timing：Year-round, harvest mature leaves as needed
Harvest Method：Cut outer mature leaves, leave inner young leaves
Processing Methods
- •Fresh gel: Extract gel from leaves, use directly
- •Dried aloe: Slice and sun-dry
- •Aloe juice: Extract and concentrate juice
Storage：Fresh leaves refrigerate, dried aloe store in cool, dry place
🏛️ Cultural Value
History：Aloe has been used for over 6000 years, recorded in ancient Egyptian and Chinese medicine
Symbolism：Symbolizes healing and beauty
Gift Culture：Traditional medicinal and cosmetic plant
Modern Research：Modern research confirms wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects
Market Value：Important raw material for cosmetics, health products, and pharmaceuticals