Aloe vera, botanical and identification

By the look of the aloe looks like a cactus, but actually belongs to the lily family, like garlic, lily, asparagus or tulip. It's kind of succulent calls, ie containing a large amount of juice. Precisely this succus is loaded with unique properties which makes it the undisputed queen of medicinal plants.

In 1950 Reynolds described in a study about 250 different types of aloes. A recount in 1998 threw the

figure of 340 species. The hybridization pollination or by human manipulation is constant, so the number of new

species continues to increase.

Of all the aloes only a few have therapeutic properties (aloe vera barbadensis, aloe arborescens, aloe ferocious Aloe chinensis, socotrina aloe, aloe vulgaris ...). In this manual we refer to the Aloe Barbadensis Miller, also known as aloe vera (aloe true), a species for its extraordinary qualities

focuses the majority of studies, which have been found through numerous tests and biochemical analysis has a cocktail of active molecules interacctuan synergistically and are essential to the prevention and cure of many diseases and ailments.

Aloe is a plant that grows wild in arid, rocky areas, usually between 600 and 1800 m altitude. It is very common in? Africa (where applicable), especially in Cape Province (South Africa) and in the mountains? Tropical Africa, also found in some areas of the Mediterranean basin,

the Caribbean, Central and South America, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan and some regions of the U.S. (Texas, Florida ...).

Aloe is a perennial herbaceous plant, leaves large, oblong, concave and flat on top, and convex on the bottom, usually toothed and prickly. We found in rosettes or kills, stemmed or not. Inflorescence a spike of clusters composed of several long coated

a large number of small, colorful flowers, usually yellow, red or orange.

His quality of the links xerophilous plant arid soils, well drained and light gradients, but can also grow in

fertile land without irrigation, provided a slope and good drainage allow the elimination of excess water.

It, like all lilies, flowering plant, ie, has flowers and therefore can reproduce by seeds. However, growing up in adverse weather and difficult conditions has been developed to produce quality clones, small shoots that grow from

the mother plant by the method known as vegetative.

As we said aloe is a succulent plant, and as such is in semi-desert regions, where recipitaciones

are scarce and low soil moisture. To resist drought aloe has developed a number of specific characteristics with

to solve their problems. This complex has a small and efficient network of roots that absorb moisture quickly. Their tissues are spongy and soft phones for

store water better and prevent evaporation, contain a mucilage (vegetable substance that has the ability to absorb and retain water) that feeds the plant and facilitates photosynthesis.

Another feature that favors the retention of water are the stomata, tiny holes on the surface of the leaves that open for gas exchange that causes photosynthesis, and close when the function has been performed, thus avoiding evaporation. A peculiarity of aloe vera is that, unlike most plants, use the day dioxide absorption

carbon, while oxygen ejected night.

It is very common to confuse the aloes with agaves, commonly known as pitas. Unlike aloes are agaves hard and fibrous, with strong and sharp spines, only bloom

Once over their lives and young leaves are not grouped tapered.

Source: www.aloeysalud.com

Author: Pedro Sanchez Torrente