BBB

Website

2009-06-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let you know that my website is--finally--up and mostly ready for business. The URL is http://www.blissfulbotanica.com

If you have any suggestions, please send to alane@blissfulbotanica.com

I'm looking forward to seeing how many people are searching Google and Yahoo for "organic soaps" or "organic lip balms" and how many will end up visiting my new site.

I should have done this a long time ago--oh well. At least we're live at this point.

Aloe

2009-05-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Aloe belongs to the family "liliacea." Common names include lily of the desert, burn plant, Indian aloe, plant of immortality, elephant’s gall, ‘awa ‘awa, and ailwa.

Aloe blooms from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite. They are of a tubular shape and yellow, orange or red in color.

The plant is mature in 4 years and can be harvested every 6-8 weeks, removing 3-4 leaves per plant.

CONSTITUENTS: Glyconutrients, aloin, barbaloin, anthraquinone glycosides, lignans, mucopolysaccharides, protein, saponins, calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamins A, B12, C, E, EFA’s, steroids, amino acids, enzymes and germanium.

Aloe contains over 200 naturally occurring nutritional substances.

Properties of Aloe

2009-05-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Aloe is : anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti inflammatory, alterative, anthelmintic, demulcent, cathartic, emmenagogue, emollient, laxative, uterine stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.

Aloe primarily grows in Africa and India. It can also grow on islands in the southern Mediterranean and in the West Indies. The plant prefers light, sandy and medium soils. Requires well drained soil. Can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Loves sun. Can tolerate a drought.

Amazing Aloe

2009-05-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

The use of aloe can be traced back 6,000 years. Early Egyptians carved the plant in stone. Known as “the plant of immortality, ” Cleopatra used aloe on her skin. Aloe was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs and was used in the embalming process.

TRADITIONAL USES: African hunters rubbed the juice on their bodies to reduce sweating and mask human scent. In India uses were for treating colic, intestinal infections and menses. In China the aloe has been used more than 2,000 years to treat a YIN deficiency known as “Lu Hui”. People of the East Indies used the aloe as a varnish to preserve wood from insects and from adhesion of barnacles on ships. Proverbs 7:17 says “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

USES: Can be used topically or internally. Topically: the clear gel contained within the leaf makes it an excellent soothing treatment for wounds, burns, sunburn, psoriasis, acne, cold sores, insect bites, genital herpes and other skin disorders. It places a protective coating over the affected area, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing risk of infection. In 1935 it became known as a scientific use for wound healing. Internally: it is considered a general tonic to the immune system. Research studies are under way to explore the potential of the components to combat HIV and cancer (particularly leukemia). In 1994 the US FDA approved it for the treatment of HIV. It may stimulate white blood cells when taken in high concentration. It is used as a digestive stimulant, a strong laxative and a digestive cleanser. If you cut the leaf transversally at their base, there is a yellow sap that exudes from it. It is called bitter aloes and contains anthraquinones which help the digestive system. It can be helpful for ulcers, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and constipation.