Aloe Vera: More Than Just a Pretty Plant

If you've ever had an Aloe vera plant on your windowsill, you’ll know it’s the sort of plant you don’t need to fuss over—just give it sunlight, the occasional drink, and it rewards you with glossy, plump leaves. But what many don’t realise is that this low-maintenance plant holds within it a powerhouse of healing potential, long revered across continents and cultures.

Although British born and bred, my Caribbean heritage exposed me from an early age to nature’s medicine cabinet. Aloe wasn't just a plant – it was part of the family medicine chest. If it was springtime and you hadn’t yet had your seasonal purge, you could be sure your turn was coming. My father, deeply caring and committed to our health, would mix fresh aloe juice for us to drink. He called it "cleansing." I called it something else entirely – mostly because it made me gag! I can still remember the bitter taste hitting the back of my throat, and on more than one occasion, I simply couldn’t keep it down.

Fast forward to today, and here I am at Manna House Health Education & Wellness, still pouring out aloe juice – but this time to grateful guests who request it. It’s part of our diabetic support and detox programme. They knock their aloe shot back, brave faces and all, following it with a sweet soothing juice – a trick I wish my dad had known!

A Living First-Aid Kit

Aloe vera is a succulent from the lily (Liliaceae) family. The species most commonly used medicinally is Aloe barbadensis miller. It’s native to Africa but grown worldwide, including here in the UK where it thrives indoors. Inside its thick, fleshy leaves is a cooling, mucilaginous gel that is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and deeply hydrating.

Used topically, it can:

• Relieve sunburn and minor burns

• Help heal cuts, grazes, and wounds

• Reduce skin irritation, eczema, and psoriasis

• Soothe insect bites and stings

• Moisturise dry or cracked skin

It’s like having a natural first-aid kit on standby.

Taken Internally? Yes—With Caution

Internally, the clean inner gel (not to be confused with the bitter yellow latex found just beneath the leaf skin) has been used for:

• Supporting digestion

• Calming inflammation in the gut

• Alleviating constipation (in very small amounts)

• Boosting immunity

At Manna House, we sometimes recommend it—very cautiously—as part of a gut-healing or detox protocol. However, it’s not suitable for pregnant women, those breastfeeding, or anyone on certain medications. Always seek guidance before use.

The latex portion of the plant contains anthraquinones like aloin, which have strong laxative effects. These should only be used in very small doses under supervision, particularly for constipation.

Note: Aloe latex should not be consumed during heavy menstruation or intermenstrual bleeding, as it increases blood circulation to the uterus.

Aloe Vera and Diabetes

There is increasing interest in Aloe vera's role in metabolic health. Some studies suggest that Aloe vera gel extract may support blood glucose regulation and improve markers of diabetic nephropathy. It’s no magic bullet—but combined with a clean diet and lifestyle, it can be a helpful addition.

At Manna House, Aloe vera is sometimes used as part of our detox programme and with diabetic guests as part of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention.

Aloe’s Impressive Constituents

The therapeutic components of Aloe vera are mainly found in its inner gel.

These include:

• Acemannan: A polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and wound-healing properties

• Amino acids: Including essential amino acids

• Enzymes: Such as bradykinase, which may reduce inflammation when applied to the skin

• Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, and a trace of B12

• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium

• Lignins: Which help Aloe gel penetrate the skin

• Saponins: Soapy substances that offer antimicrobial benefits

• Sterols: That have anti-inflammatory effects

Beware of the “99% Aloe” Gels

Fresh is always best. Commercial Aloe vera juices and gels are often diluted, pasteurised, or over-processed, leaving little of the real plant’s vitality. Arthur recently brought home a tub of “99% Aloe Vera Gel,” claiming to be excellent for skin and hair. I tasted a bit (yes, I know... not recommended!), and it was utterly flat—no taste, no bitterness, no depth. It was a reminder that not everything labelled “natural” delivers the goods.

Modern whole-leaf Aloe vera products use filtering to remove purgative compounds like aloin and emodin while preserving beneficial polysaccharides. But not all products are created equal, check for reputable sourcing and minimal processing.

Aloe and the Energetics of Healing

Did you know Aloe vera may help the body adapt to electromagnetic stress? Its gel contains structured water—a form of water that holds a charge and supports cellular communication. At Manna House, we’re increasingly interested in Aloe’s potential for restoring coherence to cells affected by our modern, tech-heavy environments.

How Much to Take?[1]

When taken internally:

• General health: 5–15 ml of a 10:1 Aloe vera gel concentrate daily

  
  

• Constipation: 50–200 mg of concentrated Aloe latex (under supervision only)

  
  

• Topically: Apply the fresh gel directly to the affected areas

  
  

Always start low and observe your body’s response.

Final thoughts

I’ve come a long way since my childhood Aloe-gagging days, though I’ll admit – I still don’t love the taste! But I do love what it can do, and watching our guests take their tiny Aloe shot, wrinkle their noses, and laugh through the bitterness always brings a smile to my face. Healing, after all, doesn’t always taste sweet – but it often leaves a sweet result.

So if you’ve got an Aloe plant sitting by your window, consider that it’s more than just greenery. It’s a living farmacy, quietly waiting to be of service.

We'd Love to Hear From You

Have you had any experiences with Aloe vera – good, bad, or memorable? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments! Have you ever used aloe vera as a remedy? Perhaps you’ve heard a family story or have a recipe passed down through generations?

Share your experience in the comments below or message us in our community WhatsApp group @ https://chat.whatsapp.com/CRwJToULSYv9SsBVFcAxEl   We love hearing how natural remedies continue to bless lives today.

And if you're curious to learn more about how we use herbs like thyme in our residential health programmes at Manna House, why not get in touch or plan a visit?

Sometimes, the most powerful healing starts with a cup of herbal tea and a conversation.

Bibliography

[1] Green Medicine Encylopedia SCIENCE-BASED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NUTRITION AND NATURAL MEDICINE; https://www.greenmedicineencyclopedia.com