The Aloe Vera plant, aka “Lily of the Desert”, is a native of Africa and is sometimes called the “plant of immortality”. Cleopatra claimed it was her beauty secret.
The name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh, which means “bitter”, and refers to the bitter gelatinous iiquid within the plant’s large leaves. Almost a hundred years ago research first confirmed the fact that the gelatinous fluid relieves pain and accelerates the healing process in burns and abrasions by increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin.
For this reason, many a wise cook will cultivate an aloe plant in their kitchen where they can easily break off a leaf if necessary, smear the gel directly onto their hands, and keep on cooking.
