Folk uses and commercial exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp

Abstract

Several species of Aloe are cultivated in the tropics for their subepidermal yellow latex which, on evaporation, becomes the well known cathartic, "bitter aloes." Little has been written of the folk uses of the translucent parenchyma of the succulent leaves as a soothing, astringent, and healing poultice for skin diseases, wounds, burns and eye afflictions, and as a potion for various internal ailments. There is a small industry in Florida, based originally on the marketing of the fresh leaves and, subsequently, on the utilization of the pulp in ointments, cosmetic creams, lotions, shampoos and sundry other products. © 1961 The New York Botanical Garden.