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Folk uses and commercial exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp

Economic Botany volume 15, pages 311–319 (1961)Cite this article

Abstract

Several species ofAloe 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.

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  1. Morton Collectanea, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida

    Julia F. Morton (Director)

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  1. Julia F. Morton
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Morton, J.F. Folk uses and commercial exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp. Econ Bot 15, 311–319 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02907852

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Keywords

  • Economic Botany
  • Folk
  • Commercial Exploitation
  • Virgin Island
  • Aloin