Where Does Aloe Come From?

This remarkable plant, aloe vera has historical references dating as far back in history over 5000 years where it can be found in the tombs of the pharaoh kings. From the writings, apparently aloe was an herbal remedy used in embalming mummies, both as a preservative and as an excellent prudential agent against tuberculosis and other respiratory complications associated to that kind of work.

The earliest recorded pharmacological usage was recorded somewhere around 1750BC in ancient Sumeria where it was used as an excellent treatment for stomach irritations as well as nausea. According to history, aloe vera was a favorite of the Hebrew king Solomon as well as Alexander the Great. The physicians of that era purportedly used it whenever they found it growing. And its primary use was as a treatment for combat wounds and as a systemic stabilizer.

Also in the ancient De Materia Medica of the Greek physician Dioscordes, as well as that of the Roman Pliny of Elder. About three centuries later, this remarkable plant, aloe vera, is listed as a treatment of choice for many of the pathologies of that time.

By most of the indications, the earliest recorded use was in and around the Mediterranean Sea area where the climate would be perfect to the growing and culturing of the aloe plant.

It is recorded later in the 13^th Century that Marco Polo took aloe vera plants to China where he found it already growing. It is also believed to be a native plant to some of the islands of the Caribbean area as well.

Two of the most perfectly represented examples of aloe vera , in fact, come from China as Aloe Chinaensis and as Aloe Barbadensis based in large plants from the Caribbean Island of Barbados. It is also known as Cape Aloe (from the Cape Horn Region of Africa).

Although aloe vera may have its origins in the Mediterranean area of Africa, Asia Minor and Southern Europe, aloe vera is now found growing in such areas as all the islands of the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, Fiji, numerous nations of Asia and the United States. There are plantations found today in southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, Barbados, Malaysia, Indonesia, Israel and many other countries.

Much credit for the spread of aloe vera can be given to the travels of the early explorers such as Marco Polo and to the Jesuit priest who traveled to the nations of the New World. In the case of the Jesuits, they brought education as well as conquest and part of the education brought to the people everywhere was that of the therapeutic benefits of the remarkable aloe vera plant.

This is a pretty good chronological order as to how aloe vera has been introduced world wide during the last 3,500 years.

1. Northern tip of Africa
2. Southern tip of Africa
3. India
4. Greece
5. China and Asia
6. Persia
7. Europe and England
8. Barbados
9. West Indies
10. South America
11. Central America
12. United States
13. Mexico
14. Russia
15. New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma
16. California

That more or less is almost world wide and from all modern indications …this remarkable plant will continue to be transplanted and without a doubt be one of the most studied medical plants in history.

Be sure to take you aloe vera juice daily for your health ...And make sure it is the "best tasting aloe" vera!