Aloe Vera - The botanical that needs so little
but gives so much. A spiky succulent, aloe vera is one of those wonder-plants that
has so many healing properties it has spawned a whole industry
of aloe-based health and beauty products.
As well as compounds like vitamins C and E that brighten
and plump the skin, the potent, clear gel inside the leaves
has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial components, all of which help heal wounds and soothe irritated and sunburned skin.
The power of aloe is not a recent discovery: Ancient Egyptians used the preservative gel as an embalming fluid, whilst their ruler, Cleopatra, applied it to her famously-beautiful face to keep her skin soft and supple.
To this day, aloe vera remains a popular ingredient in burn relief products but is also, increasingly, added to soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, aftershaves and even juice drinks.