aloe vera

    Aloe Vera is a plant and an herb.

• botanical information
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• cautions and contraindications

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Aquilaria vera or Aquilaria barbadensis

    Common name: aloe vera

The parts of this plant that are used are its leaves. There are nearly 200 species of this member of the Lily family, found in African deserts and the islands of Aruba and Barbados. Since ancient times Aloe, recognized as an analgesic, has been used to treat burns. Aloe has also been used to treat other skin conditions such as scrapes, sunburns and insect bites. Aloe is a common ingredient in cosmetics and lotions because it naturally balances the pH of the skin. Internally, it has been used as a mild laxative and studies are being done on the use of aloe to enhance the immune system. —courtesy of Austin Nutritional research

astrological correspondences:

    Astrological planet: Moon

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Gender: feminine (traditional western European magickal gender)

    Western element: water

    Magickal uses: beauty, peace, protection, success

    Lunar spells: Aloe (as an herb) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to lunar matters (compassion, dreams, family, fertility, gardening, healing, love, peace, promoting sleep, prophecy, prophetic (or psychic) dreams), psychic awareness, sleep, and spirituality). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on the Moon for a list of herbal substitutes for aloe vera.

    History: Aloe was discovered about 2,000 years as a treatment for wounds and to maintain healthy skin, two uses that remain valid today.

    Medicinal uses: Aloe leaves or gel may be applied directly to burn wounds. Aloe is a treatment for wounds, helping to protect and heal the skin. Aloe is useful for helping maintain healthy skin and keeping the skin young looking. Aloe is an excellent ingredient for soaps and skin creams. Aloe can be used as an ingredient in hair conditioners.

cautions and contraindications:

    Cautions and contraindications: Use aloe internally with great caution because it is a strong purgative that can cause digestive distress and severe diarrhea. Do not give the inner skin to animals because the anthraquinone laxative effect is too strong. The juice of the inner leaf is bitter but is a milder and more gentle laxative and can safely be used in very small doses for humans and animals. Safe for external uses (such as burns), except should not be used by nursing mothers.

    Toxic to animals: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center has determined that aloe “has been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.” —ASPCA

Some herbs may be poisonious under some conditions. Exercise appropriate care.

    Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).

See also: herbs

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