Aloe fruits. Aloe

Aloe tree (ALOE ARBORESCENS) or agave is a popular indoor flower in our country. This plant has earned its popularity for its various beneficial properties. No wonder our grandmothers were treated with aloe for all diseases, and therefore they actively bred it. Most often, aloe is used for medical purposes. But, also, it should be noted its benefits in cosmetology. Widespread was favored by the fact that aloe does not require complex care - even a novice grower can handle its cultivation. And a huge number of positive reviews on the treatment of this plant shows how effective and useful it is. Therefore, for many housewives, aloe tree grows on the window. Let's take a closer look at what healing properties aloe actually has, and how to properly care for this useful plant.

Aloe in the wild

Aloe arborescens originally grew in South and East Africa (South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe). There, in desert, semi-desert areas, aloe grows in the wild. Without human intervention, it grows to the size of a full-fledged tree - 3 meters. The girth of the trunk of such a tree reaches 30 cm.

The history of the use of aloe dates back several centuries - even the ancient Egyptians used aloe when embalming the dead. Also, there are legends that Cleopatra herself used the juice of this valuable plant to make her skin smooth and velvety.

Now aloe is bred in large areas of Central America, as well as in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. The spread of the flower began in the 16th century, when it was taken to Central America - to this day there are the largest plantations for breeding this plant.

Aloe got its name because of its taste - in Arabic "alloeh" means bitter plant. But why is aloe called agave? The thing is that this plant rarely blooms at home. According to numerous legends, flowering occurs only once every 100 years. Of course, this is not true, just for flowering at home, you need to comply with a number of special conditions. Few flower growers who grow it at home have seen what an aloe flower looks like. The scarlet, beautiful and bright aloe flower is not often shown. But in the wild, flowering occurs annually - from May to September.

Characteristic features

Aloe is an evergreen plant. Belongs to the Asphodel family of plants.

At home, it grows to the size of a shrub with fleshy leaves that simply strew the entire length of the plant. The leaves are smooth, with small spikes at the ends, and inside they are full of juice. The unique structure of the leaves allows the plant to retain a large amount of moisture inside. Previously, when aloe grew only in the wild, this helped the flower survive in desert areas, where there was very little moisture.

The roots are very branched, again due to the small amount of water in the soil.

Temperatures below +1 degrees Celsius are detrimental to this plant. Therefore, monitor the temperature of the room in which you grow flowers.

A.arborescens flower

When grown indoors, it rarely blooms. But experienced flower growers know how to fix this factor. In order for aloe to bloom, you need to form an artificial winter for it - put the flower in a dark and cool place and completely stop watering. This should be done for several weeks until the plant blooms. After that, you can return this medicinal flower to the light and to a warm room. Subject to all these rules, aloe will release a long-awaited flower. A red aloe flower, formed into a so-called "tassel", reaches a length of up to 4 cm. After the flower, a fruit will appear, in which there will be seeds. They can be planted and get new flower sprouts. But this method of reproduction is very complicated, therefore, most often the plant is propagated in other ways, which we will discuss later.

Flower care at home

Aloe is a heat-loving plant, and in order to grow it correctly, it must be located on the South, or on the West and East windows. If you have chosen the warmest place, make sure that in the summer heat the aloe is not always under the scorching sun - sometimes create artificial shade for it. This rule will help your flower not wither.

Aloe is unpretentious to the growing temperature - in winter, in summer it can do with standard room temperature. In winter, control the absence of drafts, otherwise you will also ruin the plant. You will not need to spend extra time on creating a special microclimate. Therefore, home care for this flower is considered simple.

Watering aloe in summer, spring and autumn should be 1-2 times a week, like most other plants. In winter, experts advise reducing watering to once or twice a month. But if the air is too dry, then it is better to water at the same pace - the main thing is to make sure that water does not accumulate on the pan.

Aloe fertilizer is needed only from spring to autumn. Once a month, with a special fertilizer for succulents (although it is also suitable for cacti), you need to feed the flower. A weak fertilizer solution is needed. And in winter, aloe arborescens does not require additional care.

Transplant and reproduction

Replant the plant while it is young every year. If your flower has already grown, then it needs such a procedure much less often - once in 2-3 years. An adult is considered a flower that has reached the age of five.

If you want your flower, then pay attention to whether “babies” have appeared at its roots. They can be planted in a separate pot and grown to a full-fledged flower. If there are no children, then you need to cut off the top of the flower, dry it for a couple of days, and then plant it in a mixture of sand and peat (mixed in a ratio of 1 part sand to 1 part peat) to a depth of no more than 1 cm. Watering a young plant should be done very rarely and neat. And after a while, with proper care, you will grow real aloe.

If you don't want to risk it, you can buy seeds from the plant and plant them on an April afternoon, but keep in mind that growing aloe from seeds is a long process, taking about 1 year.

Pests and diseases

A huge plus of growing aloe is the fact that it is very rarely affected by pests. The only ones that can damage this plant are scale insects. But there is a very effective remedy for them - a mixture of garlic with soap and water. With this composition, it is necessary to wipe the leaves of the plant, and then there will be no trace of pests.

Of the diseases that can affect a plant, only root or dry rot is isolated. The disease can occur with excessive watering. How to detect that your flower is sick? If you notice that the plant does not increase in size, its leaves dry out, then rather take care of the treatment. To do this, the flower must be removed from the pot, the affected roots removed, and planted on a new soil with a lot of sand. Next, avoid over-watering.

Signs of improper care

1. If the leaves on the flower have faded, turned pale, then this means that you are watering the plant too abundantly. To return aloe to its normal appearance, you need to dry the soil, and with further watering, reduce the amount of water;
2. If the leaves of the plant are too thin, stretched out, then the room is too dark. Move the flower to a more sunny side, or organize artificial lighting;
3. If the leaves of the plant suddenly fell off, you are watering it with too cold water. Watering should be done with water at room temperature;
4. Tips dry out - too little watering, increase the amount of water, or the number of waterings per week. Also, the cause may be too dry air in the room;
5. If dark spots are found on the plant, it is too cold in the room, or drafts are blowing. Move the plant to a warmer window sill.

Update: October 2018

Aloe is more than 500 species of succulent plants of the Xanthorrheaceae family. Especially common on the Arabian Peninsula in Africa. Of all its many species, about 15 have medicinal value, the most famous are aloe vera or present, whose homeland is the Mediterranean, and agave or tree aloe, which is cultivated from a wild African species.

Aloe preparations have been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for more than 3000 years, externally and internally. The plant is a natural biostimulant. The healing properties and contraindications of aloe are described in many medical works, but the study of the plant does not stop to this day.

Morphological description

The appearance of aloe is very diverse, from miniature ornamental plants to trees 8-10 meters high. All of its species are characterized by xiphoid leaves extending from the base-stem, along the edge of which there are rather sharp spikes. The color of the leaves ranges from pale green to deep green. The roots are fibrous, located near the surface.

From the stem 1 time in 2-3 years, from January to April, a long peduncle grows with flowers from red to white, which are collected in a multi-flowered dense brush. The aloe flower has a rich smell that can cause headaches. The fruit is a cylindrical box.

In artificial conditions, it reproduces with the help of children or shoots, which quickly release roots in water. In the natural environment, it reproduces both by seeds and by children. It is a light and moisture-loving plant, not resistant to cold.

Plant leaf features

Aloe leaves have an unusual structure and include a gelatinous gel-like core surrounded by a layer of juice and a thin, strong skin. Leaves can accumulate large amounts of water, greatly increasing in size. To preserve moisture, the leaves close the pores, which prevents the evaporation of water if it is insufficiently supplied from outside. With prolonged drought, the size of the leaves visually decreases due to the consumption of the moisture reserve. Also, in adverse conditions, the plant discards the lower leaves in order to save life.

Difference Between Aloe Vera and Agave

In addition to external morphological features, plants differ in composition. So, aloe vera is characterized by more fleshy leaves, therefore, contains more gel.

Which aloe is healthier: According to research conducted in 2011 at the Venice Scientific Institute in Italy, it was found that homemade aloe is 200% richer in nutrients.

In our conditions, it is easier to use the agave - an affordable and unpretentious culture for home cultivation. But you can also use a more exotic look - aloe vera, whose medicinal properties and recipes are similar to the use of the agave.

Collection and preparation of aloe

The plant accumulates a maximum of useful substances by the age of five. The lower and middle leaves are harvested, which are collected together with the stem-bearing sheaths. They are removed very carefully, excluding breakage or tearing of the leaf, at any time of the year (with home cultivation).

Fresh leaves are suitable for juice and other dosage forms - they should be stored in the refrigerator for 10-12 days before preparation for maximum disclosure of beneficial properties. At T 0 0 C, the raw material is stored for about a month: for this, the leaves are washed, dried and wrapped loosely in foil.

Dry raw materials in the shade, ventilated room, whole or cut into pieces. After drying, the leaves take on a wrinkled appearance, cellular when broken, and are very brittle. Stored in paper or fabric bags for 2 years.

The question often arises - why keep the removed sheet, why not use it fresh? Exposure allows you to get biostimulated products from the leaf: in the cold, life processes slow down, and unique biostimulants begin to be produced to maintain cell viability.

Chemical composition

• water (up to 97% of the mass);
• esters;
• traces of essential oils;
• acids: citric, cinnamon, malic, succinic, chrysophane, l-coumaric, hyaluronic, isocitric, salicylic, etc.;
• tannins;
• resins;
• flavonoids, incl. catechins;
• beta carotene;
• enzymes;
• bitterness;
• minerals: phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, chromium, zinc, cobalt, etc.;
• amino acids: threonine, methionine, leucine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine;
• simple sugars: fructose, glucose;
• polysaccharides, incl. acemannan;
• vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, E, retinol, choline;
• steroid molecules: sitosterol, composterol and luteol;
• antraglycosides: nataloin, emodin, aloin, homonataloin, rabarberone;
• substances of the phenolic group, incl. anthraquinone.

The healing properties of aloe

Each therapeutic effect of a plant is determined by a group of beneficial substances contained in aloe.

• Antibacterial, incl. against staphylococci, streptococci, typhoid, intestinal, and coli, antiviral and antifungal - due to acemannan, aleolitic, phenylacrylic, chrysophane and cinnamic acids, vitamin C;
• Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic - salicylic acid, bradykininase enzyme, steroid molecules;
• Antitoxic - acemannan, aloin (a substance from anthraquinone derivatives), phenolic components, catalase enzyme;
• Antioxidant - manganese, copper, vitamins C and E, anthraquinone and phenol molecules;
• Cholagogue - zinc, selenium and components of inositol;
• Soothing - magnesium, manganese, B vitamins;
• Laxative - anthraquinone and substances of the phenolic group;
• Pain reliever - salicylic acid, the enzyme bradykininase;
• Hypoglycemic - two fractions of acemannan - Erboran A and B;
• Antiallergic - the enzyme bradykininase;
• Anticancer - aloemodin, which is an anthraquinone molecule, acemannan, antioxidant vitamins and minerals;
• Wound healing, incl. in relation to sluggish, long-term processes - vitamin C, the enzyme bradykininase;
• Regenerating - vitamin C, catalase enzyme, anthraquinone;
• Immunomodulating - due to polysaccharides, magnesium, bradykininase enzyme.

The plant enhances the secretory activity of the digestive glands (chrysic acid, sodium), normalizes metabolic processes, has a tonic, nourishing, rejuvenating and moisturizing effect on the skin by activating the growth of fibroblasts, relieves itching and irritation. Promotes the regeneration of skin lesions without scarring. Reduces blood cholesterol levels and promotes the breakdown of cholesterol plaques. Eliminates inflammation in the biliary tract, normalizes.

The use of various dosage forms of aloe

Fresh Juice

• Chronic gastritis with low acidity, tendency to constipation, colitis, diseases of the biliary tract, stimulation of digestion and appetite. It is also prescribed for prolonged coughing. Take three times a day. 1 tsp before meals.
• Tuberculosis. Take three times a day. 1 tsp before meals.
• A wide range of diseases of the skin and mucous membranes: wounds, burns, cracks, lupus, trophic ulcers, radiation skin lesions, epithelioma, herpetic eruptions,. Also helps with acne. Pathological elements are lubricated with juice 5-6 times a day.
• It is used for joints with inflammatory diseases for rubbing.
• Inflammation of the nasopharynx and gums, ulcerative stomatitis. Lubrication of lesions with juice, irrigation or turundas with juice.
• , vaginal candidiasis. Tampons saturated with juice are inserted overnight into the vagina, 2 weeks.
• Acute rhinitis. 2-5 drops in each nostril 4-5 times a day.
• Improves the body's defenses against infectious agents - 1 tsp each. morning and evening, before meals.

Sabur - evaporated juice

• Constipation is atonic and chronic.
• Stimulation of digestion.
• Choleretic effect.

Taken diluted, 0.03–0.1 g per 1 dose once a day.

Syrup

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of acute and chronic course.
• Posthemorrhagic and hypochromic anemia (in combination with iron).
• Helps with intoxication, after prolonged illness to restore the body. Recommended for asthenic conditions.

Assign 1 tsp. twice or thrice a day, half an hour before meals.

Aloe extract liquid in ampoules

• Eye diseases: blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, progressive myopia, etc.
• Chronic gastritis, and 12 duodenal ulcer.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Inflammatory gynecological diseases.
• General diseases with a long, chronic course (chronic arthritis, scleroderma, epilepsy, etc.).

It is intended for subcutaneous administration in a course of 25-50 injections of 1 ml (adults) and 0.5 ml (children over 5 years old) once a day. If necessary, injections are prescribed by a second course.

Aloe extract according to Fedorov, eye drops, dietary supplement

• Farsightedness and myopia;
• "Night blindness";
• Myopic chorioretinitis;
• diabetic retinopathy;
• Blepharitis;

Assign 1 drop 2-5 times a day, in each conjunctival sac.

aloe liniment

Prevention and treatment of skin lesions during radiation therapy. Apply to the affected skin 2-3 r per day, cover over with a sterile napkin.

Aloe at home - traditional medicine recipes

Improving digestion, appetite, recovery from protracted illnesses

Mix 250 g of honey with 150 g of aloe juice, add 350 g of good fortified red wine. Insist 5 days. Take 1 tbsp before meals, 4 times a day for 14 days.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Mix in a ceramic container: 15 g of aloe juice, 100 g of liquid honey, 100 g of liquid goose fat, 100 g of cocoa. 1 tbsp. at the reception, dissolved in 200 ml of hot milk, between meals.

Tuberculosis

4 stalks of aloe, aged 10 days, crushed and mixed with 1 bottle of red wine or 1 liter of alcohol, leave for 4 days. Take 100 ml (wine) or 40 drops (alcohol) three times a day.

Oncological diseases

Aloe preparations are recommended for a short course, up to 30 days maximum. Fresh formulations should be prepared, stored for no more than 5 days in the refrigerator (with long-term storage, finished aloe preparations lose their healing powers). Use aloe with high quality honey. Dilute honey with aloe juice in 1:5. Take 1 tsp. three times a day. before meals. The same mixture can be lubricated on the skin before a session of radiation therapy.

Infectious and allergic rhinitis, incl. with a cold in children

Squeeze the juice from the leaf and strain. Clear the nasal passages from the mucous contents and then instill 1-3 drops into each nostril after 3-4 hours. A similar method is used for sinusitis, only 5-6 drops of juice are instilled.

Inflammatory diseases of the throat (pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis)

Mix juice and warm boiled water 1:1. Gargle with the mixture 3-5 times a day. After the procedure, drink warm milk with 1 tsp. aloe juice.

Inflammatory and other eye diseases

Aloe juice 1 ml pour 150 ml of hot water, cool and rinse with eye infusion 3-4 times a day.

Inflammatory gum disease

100 g of crushed leaves insist in a sealed container for 60 minutes, strain. Use for mouthwash.

From diabetes

Take fresh juice 1 tsp. three times a day before meals. You can dilute it in water.

Chronic constipation

Grind about 150 g of aloe leaves, removing the thorns, add 300 g of liquid warm honey to the gruel, insist for a day, heat and strain. Take 1 tsp. an hour before meals daily in the morning.

Aloe for hemorrhoids

Treatment is carried out without exacerbation, in the absence of bleeding from the nodes. Especially effective in the early stages.
Candles . Coat a piece of leaf pulp without skin and thorns with a mixture of honey and butter, enter into the rectum. Repeat twice, morning and evening.
Decoction for lotions and compresses: Grind 5 leaves of the plant and pour 500 ml of water, put in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. Moisten clean gauze in the cooled broth and apply to the knots for 15 minutes (lotion) or half an hour, covering with cellophane (compress). You can moisten a gauze swab in the decoction and gently put it in the anus for half an hour (with internal localization).

Skin injuries: wounds, abrasions, ulcers, frostbite

Mix honey and fresh juice 1:1, add medical alcohol - 1 tbsp. per 200 ml of the mixture, store in the refrigerator. Lubricate the damage 3-4 times a day, lay a clean cotton napkin on top.

Dilated capillaries, skin redness, wrinkles

Every evening, apply aloe juice to cleansed face skin, beat it well with your fingers for 1-2 minutes. Course - 12 procedures, every other day. To prevent skin aging, frostbite, sunburn, dryness, you can take an aloe leaf, cut it lengthwise, remove the thorns and lubricate the cleansed facial skin with the mucous side in the morning or evening 1-2 r per week.

Aloe for hair

To stimulate growth, strengthen, from. 1 tbsp boil chopped leaves for 10 minutes in 500 ml of water, cool and strain. Wipe the scalp with a decoction 2-3 times a week, do not rinse. A mask is made from hair loss - gruel from crushed leaves is rubbed into the roots of the hair, covered with cellophane and left for 20 minutes, rinsed with warm water.

To keep skin youthful

Aloe mask: 1 tbsp. sour cream ~ 20% mixed with 1 tsp. aloe juice and 1 tsp. yolk. Mix and apply on the face and neck, when the first layer dries - another layer and so on for 20 minutes. Rinse with water of contrast temperature. Repeat once a week. Suitable for any skin type. You can add 1 drop of juice to your usual face cream or eye gel.

Sexual impotence, impotence

• Mix in equal parts: aloe juice, butter, goose fat, dry powder. Heat the mixture without boiling. Take 1 tablespoon, three times a day, dissolved in 200 ml of hot milk, 30 minutes before meals. Keep refrigerated.
• Mix: 30 grams of chopped parsley seeds, 350 ml of red wine, 100 grams of chopped rose hips, 250 grams of honey and 150 grams of aloe juice. Leave for 2 weeks, shaking the contents once a day. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day before meals.

Contraindications

• Acute disorders of the digestive function;
• Hypersensitivity to aloe;
• Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• Chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• Hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding, menstruation (especially laxatives from the plant);
• Pregnancy (internal intake);
• Children's age up to 3 years. Outwardly - it is possible from the year, but 2 times lower concentration.

Side effects and overdose

Failure to comply with the dosage of plant preparations, especially juice, leads to an overdose of antaglycosides and can cause poisoning, the symptoms of which are diarrhea with blood and mucous membranes, inflammation of the intestines, tenesmus, blood in the urine. Pregnant women may have a miscarriage.

Long-term internal use of whole leaves, with a peel, is fraught with the development of oncology, since the peel contains aloin, a substance that is a carcinogen in large doses. So, in an experiment conducted by American specialists as part of the National Toxicological Program, about half of the rats that were given high doses of a plant extract obtained from a whole leaf developed benign and malignant tumors in the large intestine.

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations - a storehouse of useful substances or another trick of the gullible population

On the shelves of pharmacies and shops you can find numerous preparations and products containing aloe vera or aloe vera. Such "whales" of cosmetic products as SCHWARZKOPF, ST. IVES SWISS BEAUTY, ORIFLAME, HLAVIN, LEK COSMETICS produce whole lines of aloe-based products that are in demand.

However, in the course of numerous studies by American and Israeli scientists, it was found that during long-term storage and conservation, many valuable plant substances are destroyed or lose their biological activity. At the same time, the healing effect of the plant, as a natural biostimulant, is based on the complex cumulative effect of all its components, which do not provide value separately, because contained in relatively small quantities. It turns out that bioactive substances potentiate each other, providing the proper therapeutic effect.

From this it should be concluded that home-made, properly prepared and stored aloe preparations are more effective than synthesized products and drugs from aloe that have been processed and preserved.

It is a small, stocky tree with smooth, spiky-edged leaves. see on the windowsill in almost every home.

Housewives love aloe vera for its unpretentiousness combined with a host of useful properties.

However, there are some care rules that must be followed in order to always have a reliable assistant on hand for many health problems. What you need to know before you have this South African guest in your home, we will find out below.

general description

This perennial tropical plant with the mysterious name aloe arborescens "roamed" to us from South Africa. There it grows in the wild.

As a wild plant, it can be found in the vastness of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

There it is often grows up to 3 meters in height.

In our latitudes, it is used for medicinal purposes and simply as an ornamental houseplant.

It is no coincidence that Aloe is called tree-like. In appearance, the plant really resembles a small tree with thick and low branches. It has a short, straight trunk and smooth, large, prickly sword-shaped leaves at the edges. The leaves are juicy and fleshy. What the plant looks like, look at the photo.

At the top, beautiful inflorescences periodically form with flowers in the form of bells. But blooms at home is extremely rare.

Aloe and agave: what's the difference

When it comes to aloe, you have probably heard that some people call it in a different way - agave. Many are interested in the question: what is the difference? Agave "christened" aloe arborescens among the people.

There is an opinion that to see. Whether this is actually the case is hard to say. But flowering aloe in our home is an extremely rare phenomenon.

This name applies only to Aloe arborescens. All known in science about 400 types of aloe. On our windowsills, 2 types of South African guest usually flaunt - agave or aloe tree and aloe vera (sometimes considered agave).

These two species differ from each other only in appearance: the agave has a trunk from which xiphoid long fleshy leaves diverge, and aloe vera looks like a bush.

So we can say that aloe and agave are the same plant. With only one small clarification - we are talking about aloe tree.

Lighting

Aloe is one of those indoor plants that are very fond of light.

So choose for him the brightest place in your home.

In addition, it is often necessary to turn the plant towards the light - twist it in one direction or the other.

Otherwise, the trunk will bend.

Important! In the warm season, if possible, keep aloe outdoors (on a balcony or in a garden). Just be sure to protect yourself from the rain.

Watering, humidity

Even in summer, aloe does not need much water. Watering should be moderate. The optimal frequency is 1 time per week. In winter, on the contrary, rare waterings will be enough.

In general, the plant is very sensitive to waterlogging of the soil. If water stagnates in the pot, the roots may rot and the aloe will die.

Important! Aloe is drought-loving (in winter it can be safely placed next to the battery). Moderate watering is one of the main criteria for proper care of it.

How can you tell if a plant is getting enough water? When watering, pay attention to the presence of moisture on the pallet. If the moisture has settled, then there is enough water. Pour it out and stop watering.

Soil and top dressing

Charcoal and brick chips are added to the soil where aloe will grow.

Or buy a substrate.

Top dressing with mineral fertilizers is performed 2-3 times a year and only in summer.

You can use top dressing designed for cactus plants. It is recommended to make it in moist soil 1 time in 3-4 weeks. Fertilization should begin in April and continue until the end of September.

Important! Aloe is not suitable for too nutritious soil. Don't overuse supplements.

How to transplant

It is recommended to transplant an adult plant 1 time in 2 years, a young one - 1 time per year. The most favorable time is spring. A drainage layer (5 cm) must be placed at the bottom. For transplantation, a ceramic pot and soil "For cacti and succulents" are taken. You can prepare the soil yourself by taking 4 parts of universal soil and 1 part of coarse sand.

So, let's imagine that we already have a pot of soil, and the plant is ready for planting. Now we perform the transplant in the following sequence:

1. Moisten the soil first.
2. Make a recess.
3. Put some sand in there.
4. Insert plant.
5. Sprinkle with sand and earth.
6. To give stability, it is advisable to put pegs.
7. Cover the transplanted aloe with a plastic bag, leaving room for air at the bottom.
8. Put the pot on the windowsill, where there is more sun.
9. When young leaves appear, remove the package.

How it breeds

The agave breeds root shoots and cuttings.

Usually we are overgrown with a large number of shoots that already have their own root system.

You just need to take and transplant them.

This is the easiest way to reproduce.

As for cuttings, before planting, they are dried for 2-3 days in the air. Transplanted into sandy soil by 1 cm. Ordinary sand or sand mixed with peat is suitable for this.

Water very carefully, otherwise the stalk may simply rot. Transplanted into pots 2 weeks after the appearance of the roots.

pruning

Does not need pruning.

Possible problems, pests

Generally aloe - a plant unpretentious that does not require close attention. Not particularly sensitive to low temperatures. Pest infestation is very rare.

Occasionally, aloe can be attacked by a scale insect or spider mite. They need to be removed from the leaves, and the plant should be washed with soapy water.

Medicinal properties

For medicinal purposes, the leaves are used, which are cut off at the very base, as well as the juice squeezed from them. The juice has a bitter taste and an unpleasant odor. Has a bactericidal effect. So aloe is often used in traditional and folk medicine.

The scope of application is very wide. The plant can help with many ailments:

• wounds and burns;
• loss of strength;
• lowering immunity;
• sexual impotence;
• colds and bronchitis;
• indigestion;
• urinary infections;
• eye diseases, etc.

On the shelves of pharmacies there are a lot of drugs, which include aloe vera. Separately sold liquid aloe extract for oral administration, as well as a solution for injection.

The healing properties of the agave will increase if you leave it without watering for 2 weeks. Another way is to cut off a leaf and put it in the freezer for 10 days.

Aloe medicinal recipes

The ancient Egyptians knew about the healing properties of aloe. Historical fact: aloe juice and leaves were widely used there for embalming corpses.

The following are folk recipes for such cases:

1. 1. Skin problems (lichen, burns, wounds that do not heal for a long time, boils):

Squeeze out half a glass of juice and apply to the problem area. Or peel the leaves and apply to the wound.

1. 1. Digestive disorders (ulcers, gastritis, constipation), bronchitis and weakening of the immune system:

Half an hour before meals, take 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed juice from the leaves 3 times a day.

1. 1. Acne and pimples:

Perform the procedure daily. Having noticed the first improvements, we make masks every other day. Then reduce the amount to 2 times a week.

1. 1. Aging skin, wrinkles.

We take the 2 largest sheets from the bottom, cut into small pieces and fill it with an incomplete glass of water. Mix well and leave for 24 hours. Next, the infusion needs to be frozen (regular ice molds will do). We wipe the skin with ice daily.

1. Bronchitis.

Make a drink with fresh aloe juice, warm honey and melted butter. Everything is taken in equal proportions. Drink for 5 days before meals 4 times a day. At one time, we use 2 teaspoons. Then take a 5-day break and repeat the course for another 5 days.

Important! If you need aloe leaves for medicinal purposes, only break them off from the bottom.

A few more healing recipes with aloe in this video:

Now you know how treelike aloe differs from agave, how to properly care for it and how it can be useful for you.

Generally Aloe is a very useful plant and easy to care for.. All the wisdom of care can be reduced to 2 rules - moderate watering and plenty of sun. Observe them, and you will have a natural first-aid kit for many ailments in your home all year round.

Aloe arborescens Mill.

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that most of you are very well aware of. Indeed, in many homes, aloe grows in pots, like an indoor flower. If necessary, we cut off a piece of the sheet, knead it and apply it, for example, to the site of injury and ... everything is in order. And in the stories of our grandmothers, this plant appears as a panacea. What are the secrets of health aloe vera?

An emulsion prepared from the juice of aloe leaves (previously kept in the dark at a temperature of 6-8 ° for 12 days), eucalyptus and castor oils, is used to prevent and treat skin lesions resulting from radiation sickness.

In Chinese folk medicine, aloe juice is recommended for vascular diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis, in menopause and post-menopause, in childhood with diseases accompanied by convulsions, amenorrhea (contraindicated in pregnancy).

Aloe tincture prepared as follows: crushed leaves, pre-cut for a week and a half and kept in a dark place at a temperature of 4-8 °, pour 70% alcohol or vodka (1 to 5).

Scope of use of drugs aloe in medicine very voluminous:

• juice (topically)- for burns, purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, osteomyelitis, for rinsing with diseases of the gums and oropharynx;
• fresh juice (inside)- to improve appetite, with chronic gastritis, to increase immunity against infectious diseases;
• aloe syrup with iron- after infectious diseases and other debilitating diseases and intoxications, with chronic and acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• juice (compresses)- with lupus, skin tuberculosis, eczema, radiation dermatitis of the head;
• liquid aloe extract(from fresh, dried or canned leaves - for injection; from crushed canned leaves - for oral administration) - for conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, bronchial asthma, gynecological diseases;
• tablets coated, containing a crushed canned leaf - as a non-specific agent in the complex treatment of eye diseases;
• aloe liniment, containing juice from leaves biostimulated according to the Filatov method - externally for burns and for the prevention and treatment of radiation damage to the skin.

Good to know...

• Aloe arborescens is widely distributed among indoor plant lovers. In "home conditions" it blooms in winter, but irregularly, while, as a rule, it does not form seeds.
• In ancient times, aloe resin was ground into powder and used to process funeral clothes.

Aloe juice can cause poisoning. Among the symptoms should be distinguished: tenesmus, inflammation of the intestines, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), in some cases hemorrhagic nephritis; miscarriage is possible during pregnancy.

Aloe juice is contraindicated during pregnancy for internal use.

Sabur-based preparations are contraindicated in diseases of the gallbladder and liver, hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, cystitis and pregnancy.

From time immemorial, the aloe tree plant has endowed people with longevity and good health. The first news about him was found in the holy books. Until now, the plant has not lost its strength and significance for people.

Botanical description

Aloe arborescens belongs to the Xanthorrheaceae family. Botanical reference books list it as Aloe arborescens. The name agave is widespread among the people. It is a perennial evergreen plant growing in the tropics. It has juicy, large, strongly elongated sword-shaped leaves with sharp teeth along the edges. When flowering, it forms beautiful inflorescences of flowers in the form of bells of red and yellow hues.

The fruits of aloe arborescens are called boxes filled with a considerable amount of seeds. Aloe grown at home, no more than a meter in height, does not please with flowers and does not produce fruits. In exceptional cases, it may bloom in early spring or late winter.

Distribution in nature

In its homeland - in South Africa is wild. Currently, it can be found in many tropical and temperate zones of our planet. In its natural habitat, it grows up to 4 meters in height and has a 30 cm trunk thickness. In our latitudes, it is distributed precisely as a house plant. Aloe plantations are planted in the Caucasus for the needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Chemical composition

For medicinal preparations, the leaves are cut off at the very base. Fresh juice is squeezed out of them or processed by thickening and a powder (sabur) is obtained. The composition of aloe tree juice is rich in vitamins, enzymes, phytoncides, essential oils and resinous substances, organic acids, including citric, malic and succinic acids. There are vitamins C, E and group B, beta-carotene, micro and macro elements.

Did you know? The quantitative composition of the mineral salts of the juice of a wonderful plant is equated to their quantity in human blood serum.

Medicinal properties

The flesh of the leaves is bitter in taste and has a faint odor. Fresh juice, its aqueous and alcoholic solutions have a bactericidal effect and kill a number of microbes, staphylococci, streptococci, dysentery, typhoid, diphtheria bacilli. The anti-inflammatory effect is due to the presence of salicylic acid, laxative - the presence of anthraquinone, choleretic - zinc and selenium.

Aloe preparations enhance the secretion of the digestive glands, improve appetite and digestion, and also have anti-burn properties. Their effectiveness is also high in the treatment of eye diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. And allantoin makes aloe indispensable for cosmetics manufacturers, as this substance has a powerful moisturizing effect.

The use of aloe in folk medicine

Even the healers of Egypt, Rome, Greece treated skin diseases, painful conditions of the lungs, larynx, purulent abscesses of the eyes with the juice of a miraculous plant. Modern herbal medicine advises aloe:

• for constipation as a laxative;
• as a general tonic;
• for the treatment of burns, lichen, furuncle, long-lasting wounds;
• with gastritis, ulcers;
• for recovery from cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis;
• with conjunctivitis of the eye;
• in case of infectious diseases of the female genitourinary system;
• in violation of the sexual functions of men;
• as an analgesic for headaches and neuroses of various origins.

Application in cosmetology

In cosmetology, the aloe tree plant has found such a wide application that it is comparable to its use in medicine. The use of agave in cosmetology is determined by its following properties:

• anti-inflammatory and bactericidal (acne, rash, acne);
• regenerating and healing (wounds, cracks, skin rejuvenation);
• toning and moisturizing (firmness and elasticity);
• soothing (irritation of the skin);
• antifungal (dandruff and other skin lesions caused by fungi).

With the help of masks with the juice of this plant, you can refresh the skin, narrow the pores and get rid of acne and bags under the eyes.

Harmful properties

When ingested, heartburn, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, increased bleeding, heaviness in the pelvic region may occur. An allergic reaction is possible with external and internal use. With long-term treatment, a decrease in potassium is likely, which will adversely affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Important! As the strongest biostimulant, it can provoke bleeding, bile release, and inflammation of the colon.

Contraindications

Products containing aloe are dangerous in the following cases:

• With increased tendency to diarrhea.
• Women experiencing heavy bleeding and bleeding of the uterus.
• Persons suffering from acute diseases of the kidneys, bladder.
• People with cholelithiasis (accelerates the release of stones).
• Patients prone to allergies.
• Patients suffering from hemorrhoidal bleeding, inflammation of the colon.
• People over forty.
• Persons with severe forms of cardiovascular pathologies.
• With prostatitis.
• Pregnant women, as it increases the tone of the uterus.

Growing at home

Aloe arborescens, grown at home, does not require special maintenance. It is necessary not to forget to periodically water, loosen the earth and fertilize.

Sowing seeds

The best time for seed germination is March and April. To do this, take one part of the sand and turf and ½ part of the leafy earth, distribute it in an even layer and sow the seeds. Periodic watering is recommended as the soil dries. Sprouted seeds are distributed one at a time into molds 5 cm high. The soil should consist of ½ part sand and one part turf and leaf mixture. Additives of brick chips and charcoal will not interfere. A year later, the adult aloe is transplanted.

Location and lighting

In winter, it is advisable to place the agave near a sunny window. In the summer, you can take out to the sunny veranda or balcony. Sunbathing in the fresh air will not hurt either.

Temperature

In winter, the most suitable temperature will be 12-14 degrees. Since the growth and vital functions of this species slow down, too warm a place will do harm.

Soil and fertilizer

The aloe houseplant grows well in soil made from charcoal and brick chips. The soil requires fertilizer only from May to August only once a month. Preference is given to complex top dressing for succulents. Fertilizers should not be applied in the following cases: during the winter dormancy of the plant, if it is just bought or transplanted (only a month later), sick (the cause of the disease is not clear), with a rotting root system, in dry soil (moisten the soil before application).

Did you know? Aloe arborescens is extremely beneficial to plant at home. It inhibits the maturation of a number of pathogens.

Humidity and watering

In winter, watering the plant should be limited to once a month. Too warm a place of detention and frequent watering threaten to rot the roots. In summer, moisten the ground as soon as the topsoil dries. There is a lot of moisture in the leaves of the agave. If you forgot, left for a while and did not water, the agave will survive, because it comes from Africa.

Transfer

Young Aloe arborescens need repotting every year. If the plant is five years old, it receives the status of old. Now it needs to be transplanted after three years. Aloe of this species can be propagated by seeds, leaves, cuttings, root processes.

Reproduction by cuttings

Although propagation by cuttings is possible all year round, Still, preference is given to the spring and summer months. Cut cuttings are dried for two days. The cut points are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Raw sand is the best place for the first landing (to a centimeter depth). On the seventh day of the formation of the root system, the time comes for the second landing in pre-prepared forms 7 cm high. The soil should consist of the same parts of turf, sand, leafy soil. Does not require excessive watering.

Recipes

There are a lot of recipes. Consider the most popular.

For strengthening and growth of hair, with hair loss

• Hair loss. Rub a mixture of a tablespoon of juice, a teaspoon of honey and olive oil into the skin. Wrap for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo. Repeat once a week. The exposure period is three months.
• Activation of hair growth. Mix one tablespoon of agave juice with a teaspoon of honey and the same portion of mustard powder. Add egg yolk. Rub the thoroughly whipped mixture into the roots. Leave for half an hour. Remove residues with running warm water.

For hair beauty

• Dandruff. Prepare a mixture of two tablespoons of aloe tree juice and a teaspoon of lemon juice, castor oil, honey. Heat in a water bath to a pleasant temperature. Apply to the roots and keep for half an hour. Wash away.

For facial beauty

• Tired skin and wrinkles. Grind two leaves of aloe and cover with water for a day. Strain, pour into molds and place in the freezer. Use for moisturizing.
• Acne. Moisten a gauze napkin with fresh agave juice. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes. Wash away. Do it every day, then every other day, then twice a week. 25 masks are enough for a course of medical procedures.

For the treatment of tuberculosis and pneumonia

1. Beat honey, cocoa, butter (take 100 g each ingredient). Add 15 g of agave juice. Drink one tablespoon three times a day.
2. A tablespoon of birch buds insist on a glass of juice, a glass of honey, a glass of Cahors for 9 days. Drink a tablespoon three times a day.

For the treatment of sore throats, bronchitis and colds

• Bronchitis. Mix melted honey and butter with juice. Products measured with one spoon in equal quantities. Give two teaspoons before meals four times a day. Course - 5 days. Stop taking. The next course is resumed in five days.
• Angina. The juice is diluted with water 1:1 and used for gargling, mouth cavity.
• Respiratory infections. Drink a teaspoon of fresh juice before meals (20 minutes before) three times a day.

For skin diseases

For various injuries and skin diseases (purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, burns, eczema, etc.), compresses based on the juice of a tree plant are used. There are recipes where another component is present - oil.

With furunculosis, the fabric is moistened with a composition of olive oil and juice in equal parts. Apply to the boil and leave for a day. Change to fresh lotion. Do until the pain and inflammation disappear.

For eye diseases

Pulp without skin and sharp teeth is poured with hot water 1:5. With the resulting solution at room temperature, clean the eyes, put a wet napkin on the eyes.

For diseases of the oral cavity

Rinse your mouth with a mixture of water and juice in equal amounts.

Diseases of the urogenital area

• Urinary tract infections. Dilute a mixture of a tablespoon of aloe juice and turmeric (on the tip of a knife) with a liter of boiled water in a warm form. Douche the vagina as often as possible. The healing period is two to four weeks.
• Fibroma of the uterus. In a water bath, evaporate 200 g of finely chopped leaves, one chestnut fruit, three glasses of red grape wine (30 minutes). Strain. Give a tablespoon three times a day half an hour before meals.

• Tumor of the uterus. Mix the same parts of aloe juice, corn oil, black radish juice well. Pour in 70% alcohol (50 ml of alcohol per half liter of the mixture). Infuse for a week in a dark place. Give 20 minutes before meals. Take a tablespoon three times a day.

Diseases of the stomach and intestines

• Ulcerative colitis. Drink juice twice a day for 25-50 ml.
• Gastritis. Half an hour before a meal, drink a teaspoon of juice. The appointment is for two months.
• Colitis and constipation. Give a teaspoon of juice before meals.
• Gastric ulcer. A mixture of half a glass of chopped agave leaves and honey (3/4 cup) put in the dark for three days. After the time has elapsed, pour a glass of Cahors. Filter after a day. Consume a tablespoon three times a day before meals.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

• Hypertension. Dilute a teaspoon of water with three drops of fresh juice. Give the patient on an empty stomach for two months in a row.
• Stroke. Mix aloe juice (3/4 cup) with 5 g of mummy. In the early morning and late evening, drink a teaspoon for two weeks. Stop the course of treatment. For the next two weeks, take propolis tincture three times a day, half an hour before meals, 30 drops. The course of treatment with aloe juice and mummy should be continued again for two weeks. The rotation lasts no more than two months.

For diseases of the joints

For arthritis, a compress from a mixture of three tablespoons of juice, six tablespoons of honey, nine tablespoons of vodka is applied to a sore spot and kept for some time.