Since I have lived and worked in Asia for many years now, I have shown a profound interest not only in the various cultures, hospitality industry, Cuisines, F&B Operation in this part of the world, but as well in the fine and unique ingredients used in cooking, bar and spa operations. Many of these plants, fruits, flowers and vegetables are considered as well as: Medicinal Asian & Chinese Herbs

One of them is my favorite and is called: Aloe Vera

Aloes (Aloe Socotrina ), (Aloe Barbadensis ), ( Liliaceace )

Common Names: Bombay Aloes, Turkey Aloes, Moka Aloes, Zanzibar Aloes, Barbados or Curacao Aloe

Parts used: Juice, condensed juice of the leaves, freeze dried,

Nature: Bitter, cold

Affinity: Liver, stomach, large intestines, skin

Effects: Purgative (0.3-1g); laxative (0.06-0.2g)

Indications: Stomachic, refrigerant, antiseptic, emmenagogue, dizziness, headache and delirium due to liver inflammations, intestinal parasites

Feature: Aloe, a genus of nearly 200 species of mostly East and South African succulent plants.

The properties of this plant were known to the ancient Greeks and it has been gathered On Socotra for over 2,000 years.

Aloe thrives in warm regions and grows wild in Florida, South & North America. But is as well cultivated in the West Indies, Russia, India and South East Asia especially in Thailand.

Description: It is much like succulent cactus in texture. The leaves are usually elongated, of a deep brown or olive color, frequently pointed, blunt or spiny-toothed, sometimes

Blotched or mottled. The stem is commonly short and the strong, fibrous root produces a base rosette of fleshly leaves. The tissue in the center of the leaf contains a mucilaginous

Gel that yields aloe gel or Aloe Vera Gel.

When Columbus set sail for America, he wrote in his diary: “All is well, aloe is on board”!

Aloe was the material used to embalm Pharaoh Ramses II and to preserve the body of Jesus Christ.

The taste is peculiar and bitter, powder is bright yellow. The red or yellow tubular flowers are found on a stalk in simple or branded clusters. These properties change somewhat in the different varieties, some species being tree-like with forked branches.

Aloe Bainesii grows to heights of 65 ft. and 15 ft. wide at the base. Other species of Aloe

Are often cultivated in gardens of succulents, including the miniature ones are grown in homes; they require strong light and careful watering.

The “American Aloe” is not an Aloe, but “Agave Americana”.

Medical part: The insipid juice of the leaves, which is a greenish translucent salve-like Substance.

The medicine doctors rave about:

Probably no other single herb in modern times has been so well spoken of in regard to its many marvelous healing virtues by members of the medical and dental professions as has Aloe Vera.

Solvent is water.

Bodily influence: Tonic Purgative, Emmenagogue, Anthelmintic.

Uses: Aloes are one of the most sovereign agents we have among the herbal medicines, being cleansing to the morbid matter of the stomach, liver, spleen, kidney and bladder.

Does not gripe, is very healing and soothing to all the tissue, blood and lymph fluids it obliges.

Aloe Vera reduces internal heat, promotes bowel movements, destroys worms, good for constipation, suppression of menstruation, convulsions in children

It is highly alkaline and an excellent source of natural vitamin E.

It is slightly laxative and one can drink Aloe Vera gel in water and slimming teas or add it to fruit juices.

Drinking Aloe Vera juice reduces the stomach acid and hunger. Its slightly bitter taste

And the alkaline quality makes it cooling and refreshing.

Appetite is increased by hot foods and spices such as ginger, pepper, cardamom, anise,

Caraway and garlic, because they stimulate acids and enzymes (digestive chi )

To reduce gnawing hunger, use cooling spices such as cumin, dill, mint and fennel in cooking or as tea.

Uses: Medical science gives prominent place for this herb and others of the same family.

The famous academician, B.R. Fillatow, makes an extract of Aloe Vera for treatment of eye conditions and injections for run-down organisms.

Extract of the leaves, Sabur, is common in hospitals and in all dispensaries used as a

Laxative. The influence stimulates the gall-bladder by increasing its secretions. As a rule it is safe to use Aloe Vera, as it is established by Folk Medicine.

Uses: Medical science gives prominent place for this herb and others of the same family.

The famous academician, B.R. Fillatow, makes an extract of Aloe Vera for treatment of eye conditions and injections for run-down organisms.

Extract of the leaves, Sabur, is common in hospitals and in all dispensaries used as a

Laxative. The influence stimulates the gall-bladder by increasing its secretions. As a rule it is safe to use Aloe Vera, as it is established by Folk Medicine