An updated version of this web page is now available at the new Teen Witch website aloe vera.

    Aloe Vera is a plant and an herb.

• botanical information
• history
• part used
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• health care
• Ayurvedic herbalism
• external skin care
• cautions and contraindications

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Aquilaria vera or Aquilaria barbadensis

    Common name: aloe vera

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

history:

    History: More than 2,000 years ago Witches discovered the healing properties of aloe. It was originally used to treat open wounds and to maintain healthy skin, uses that aare both still valid today.

part used:

    Aloe leaves or gel derived from aloe leaves may be used to treat burns.

    Aloe can be added to soap and creams as a skin conditioner.

Part Used: Gel (“juice”) extracted from the leaf (drunk or applied to the skin), or a dried and powdered latex extracted from the “peel” of the leaf (used as a laxative). Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

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:

    Perfumes: Vera perfume corresponds with thursday and is a good perfume for thursdays.

    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.

    Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.

Magical Uses beauty, protection, success, peace, luck information courtesy of

health care uses:

    Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.

traditional medicine:

    Traditional Medicine: While many traditional practices have been scientifically verified, some are now known to be dangerous. Seek the advice of qualified health care providers.

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

Ayurvedic herbalism:

    Ayurvedic Doshas: PKV= Pitta balanced; Kapha balanced; Vata balanced.

    For more information, see the article on Ayurvedic medicine.

herbal healing:

    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.

external care:

    Avoid lipstick with aloe vera. Although aloe vera is good for the skin, it can irritate the lips.

    External skin care: Aloe vera in Great Skin Firming Night Cream: “Works by increasing your skin’s vitality and sealing in moisture. With collagen to restore elasticity and Vitamin E for healing. Deeply penetrates to prevent excess dryness. With sesame oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, squalene, kakui nut oil, aloe vera, Vitamin E, lemon balm, comfrey, sage, marigold, marsh mallow, teaberry, jasmine, cucumber, Vitamin A, and Vitmin D. Firming night cream is a heavy moisturizer that deeply penetrates the skin and will prevent excess dryness. This therapeutic vitamin and moisturizing treatment increases the skin’s vitality and seals in the moisture, augmenting skin’s resilience. Contains collagen which restores elasticity, and vitamin E which helps in healing the skin. Nourishes the skin as it firms. Apply before bedtime after cleansing and toning.” Great Skin Firming Night Cream

    External skin care: Aloe in Belli Life After Baby Eye Brightening Cream: “Lightens dark circles, reduces puffiness and fine lines. Physician-formulated, Vitamin K-enriched eye treatment keeps eyes looking refreshed and well rested by enhancing circulation, hydrating delicate skin, lightening dark circles, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. With rice and soybean protein, aloe, olive oil, and green tea extract. Gently pat underneath eye area daily as needed.” Belli Life After Baby Eye Brightening Cream

    External skin care: Aloe vera gel in Rhonda Allison Growth Factor Serum: “Silky everyday moisturizer with potent rejuvenating nutrients. You’ll love the silky feel of this nutrient-rich serum, for day or nighttime use. Contains a high concentration of epidermal growth factor to support tissue regeneration and cellular repair after microdermabration, AHA exfoliants, enzymes, and post-peel. Supports skin structure with antioxidants and essential oils of tangerine, lemon, rosewood, and bergamot. Apply daily to freshly cleansed skin.” Rhonda Allison Growth Factor Serum

    External skin care: Aloe vera in Rhonda Allison Raspberry Lotion: “Raspberry Lotion is a natural liquid lotion that freshens and smoothes the skin while balancing oil production. A skin that has oily, acne tendencies will respond best to this solution. Raspberry Lotion helps to control the shiny appearance of the skin due to excess lipids. Reduces shine and controls oil of acne-prone skin. A wonderful natural liquid solution freshens and smoothes oily, blemish-prone skin, while balancing oil production. Helps control that unwanted shine. Antibacterial, sebum-reducing and anti-inflammatory benefits. With shea butter, salicylic acid, aloe vera, and raspberry extract. After cleansing apply to face and neck with cotton pad. Let absorb and emain on the skin. May use throughout the day to reduce shine and control excess oil.” Rhonda Allison Raspberry Lotion

    External skin care: Aloe vera in Rhonda Allison Skin Brightening Enzyme: “Exfoliates and lightens unwanted pigmentation. Enzyme mask is crucial for brightening complexion and lightening pigmentation, removing excess skin buildup, and adding brightening support. Softens and digests unwanted skin cells, and aids in the suppression of melanin. After cleansing apply thin layer and leave on skin for 20 minutes. May be used 1-3 times a week.” Rhonda Allison Skin Brightening Enzyme

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).

    Please note that several other members of the Aloe family are poisonious. If you wild gather, be certain that you are picking real aloe vera, not one its deadly relatives.

See also: herbs

next herb

An updated version of this web page is now available at the new Teen Witch website aloe vera.