The birthplace of aloe, a description of the features of the indoor view and the beneficial composition of the plant. Aloe: growing a medicinal plant at home

Among domestic plants, there is one that has many useful properties, its name is familiar to everyone - this is Aloe. The flower looks like a cross between a cactus and a palm tree and belongs to the genus of succulents. In nature, aloe is used to growing in dry regions, so it does not require frequent watering and stores water in its fleshy, pointed leaves.

Are aloe and yarrow the same thing?

This flower has several other names, in our country it is called agave, since it was believed that aloe blooms once every hundred years. But today it is known that this is not so, at home mature plant blooms from November to March, but not every year, while the fruit with seeds does not ripen.

Sometimes aloe is confused with yarrow, but these are two different types plants and they look great from each other. Yarrow got its name just because of the abundance of small white flowers on its stem. It blooms throughout the summer, so it is very easy to recognize it. He is very unpretentious to the environment, in middle lane Russia is found everywhere. Aloe real grows only in warm areas where there is no snow.

But in some ways these two plants are similar, they both taste very bitter and have the following useful properties:

- stop the blood and strengthen the blood vessels;

- have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect;

- accelerate the metabolism in the body.

In many homes you can find aloe. And everyone knows perfectly well that this "miracle doctor" is not only beautiful, but also very useful. On the pages of our site we will tell you about many diseases and how to lose weight. You can also learn about Aloe Vera, one of the most popular types of this wonderful plant.

What you need to know about aloe

History

The first mention of this medicinal plant can be found more than 2 thousand years BC uh. The ancient Egyptians studied it and used its useful properties. The image of aloe is found even in the drawings in the tombs of the pharaohs. Due to the methods of using the flower in medicine, it was called "the plant that bestows immortality". This status may also be related to the fact that it was used in the embalming of the dead.

Where the name of the flower came from has not been established for certain, there are several theories. According to one of them, it was formed from Greek words"salt" and "give", which meant - a plant with juice of taste sea ​​water. When adapted to the Latin language, one word came out - “bitter”, which sounds like aloe. According to other versions, there are consonant words denoting a bitter taste in Arabic and Hebrew.

Homeland of the aloe plant

The islands of Barbados, Curacao and the west of the Arabian Peninsula are considered the homeland of aloe. Aloe owes its spread to other continents to people, since the fame of its useful properties gradually reached all corners of the planet. Almost all countries in the world Aloe has become a popular house plant.

Where is aloe found?

Now wild aloe is widely distributed in African countries: South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt. It is found in southern Asia and in countries with a warm climate such as Turkey and Greece.

Growing conditions in nature

In nature, aloe is of impressive size and reaches 4 meters, the leaves grow up to a meter in length and 20-30 cm in width. Total known over 350 of this plant, most have a tree-like trunk, the rest look like a sprawling bush. On its leaves at regular intervals there are thorns or hairs.

These flowers prefer to grow near semi-desert coastal zones, surrounded by other shrubs. They are often found in savannahs with gravelly or sandy soil. The habitat even reaches mountain deserts with a height of up to 2750 meters above sea level.

What kind of soil does the agave prefer?

Aloe accustomed to most extreme conditions and during drought closes the pores on the peel, thereby retaining water inside the leaves. Therefore, where other plants die, this flower feels comfortable, it is prepared for poor watering and poor soil. IN ideal The soil for this plant consists of the following types of fillers:

- gravel;

- shell rock;

— river sand;

- brick chips;

- volcanic rock - perlite;

— loose earth with a neutral water-alkaline balance, including clay, sand, humus and turf.

In an imaginary section of the pot, the soil should look like this: at the bottom there is drainage, then earth, and at the top there is coarse sand mixed with gravel.

Fertilizers for aloe are practically not required, many of them can harm the flower.

What does aloe look like?

Roots

In wild aloe, the root system is one long straight root with strong branching. Home flowers are much more compact and even the most shallow pots in order to grow safely.

Stem

On its straight stem, leaves branch in the form of a fan, they have a greenish-gray color. By their type, the leaves are smooth, fleshy and juicy, lanceolate-linear in shape and have sharp teeth along the edges.

Aloe thorns are poisonous and after their injection, redness and tingling appear on the skin.

Leaves

The bluish hue of the color gives the leaves a special wax coating, it does not wash off from water and is designed to moisture from the leaf evaporated less. The sheet itself is divided into cells inside, it is in them that water accumulates.

in winter homemade aloe watering is not recommended, without sunlight, its leaves will try to grow, but they will turn out thin and ugly. IN hot weather in addition to watering, it is necessary to spray, which in wild environment replaced by morning dew.

flowers

When an aloe decides to bloom, its owner will be lucky to see large flowers up to 4 cm in length. They dimly orange color, tubular and bell-shaped in structure. The inflorescence itself is racemose and in large specimens reaches 40 cm in length. Aloe flowers are fragrant and produce a lot of nectar.

Fruit

At home, the fruits of aloe flowers do not ripen, but in nature they look like trihedral boxes. They have a lot of dark gray seeds with wings, thanks to which they expand their area of ​​​​growth.

Aloe is a popular crop among houseplants, not only because it has a number of useful properties, but also because it does not require special. After all, if you forget to water him, he will not even notice. It is useful to know what grows in your house in pots, because before that the plant has come a long way of spreading through the earth and has benefited many people, and now it pleases you too.

About 340 (and according to some sources even more) species of aloe grow on different continents. The homeland of the plant is not precisely defined, but most varieties of these succulents grow in South Africa. The very word "aloe" has Arabic origin and means nothing more than perennial succulent plant with fleshy leaves and stems. It belongs to It evergreen very thermophilic, when the air temperature drops to +4 ° C, it may die.

IN vivo growth, this representative of the flora can grow up to 4 m in height. Its leaves are juicy, fleshy, reach a length of half a meter, wide near the base, covering the stem, pointed and curved closer to the top. They have a greenish-gray matte color, smooth to the touch, convex from below, and flat from above. But these characteristics mainly apply only to tree-like aloe. The homeland of the plant is the islands of the East African coast and the south of the mainland.

It can grow in semi-desert and desert areas, among shrubs, as well as on stony soils. Under natural conditions, it blooms annually with large tubular flowers of red or orange. The fruit ripens in the form of a cylindrical box, many seeds are obtained, they have a grayish-black color.

Most often found on windowsills tree aloe. The homeland of the plant is South Africa, but it grows in the southwestern and northern parts of the continent. This type of aloe is decorative and quickly propagated by cuttings, it does not require any special care conditions. A curious variety are shrub vines. Of these, ciliated aloe is the most common. The homeland of the plant is South Africa, it has a branched trunk that grows up to 6 m in length and clings to trees and bushes growing nearby, the leaves are flat lanceolate plates.

If most species easily tolerate drought and grow in cloudy aloe, it prefers wet places. It grows near waterfalls, in places where there is humus, on wet ledges of rocks. The homeland of what is also called Barbados or the present is the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, but some naturalists consider the plant to be the main place of growth and

A special kind is Butner's aloe. This plant has an underground bulb and grows in shrub savannas, on dry grassy slopes, and does well in places flooded with rain. All tropical Africa is the birthplace of aloe. indoor culture belong to small members of this family. At home, tree-like aloe, also called folded, variegated, is often grown.

The largest group is made up of plants with leaves in the form of a rosette, they all amaze with variety. appearance. The most famous representatives are prickly and kniphofiform aloe. The latter is distinguished by the largest red flowers in this genus; it is very difficult to detect it in a non-flowering state.

Aloe houseplant, known for its healing properties, grows in almost every home. However, few people are familiar with the history of the origin and distribution of aloe. From our article you will find out where the plant originates from and where aloe grows in its natural environment.

Aloe is a flower accustomed to hot and arid climates. To date, no reliable information has been provided on where it originates given plant. Having studied many encyclopedic reference books and historical chronicles, scientists have found that the birthplace of aloe is South Africa and the island of Madagascar. Although often in the description of this culture you can find other geographical areas.

Aloe flower, which contains various vitamins, minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, essential oils, amino acids, phytoncides and even salicylic acid, has significantly expanded the horizons and is now grown in many countries of the world where a temperate warm climate prevails. According to experts in the field of botany, this culture can only grow in a warm climate, low temperature air is detrimental to the plant.

Today, wild aloe is found in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Malawi and Egypt. This crop is grown in most countries of South and West Asia, as well as in Greece and Turkey.

Many flower growers who are fond of studying the origin of various indoor flowers are interested in why it turned out to be so difficult to determine exactly where this succulent comes from. One of the most reliable assumptions is the too extensive geography of the plant's distribution in natural environment.

Video "How Aloe Vera Can Help"

Video about a unique plant with medicinal properties, about how aloe vera can be useful in life.

History of discovery and distribution

The first mention of aloe is found in historical chronicles describing events over 2 thousand years BC. e. Further history of this medicinal plant is lost.

However, archaeologists excavating and studying the tombs of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt found rock paintings, which depicted flowering plant, in size and external characteristics resembling a tree-like aloe. At that time, incredible properties were attributed to this culture and were often called "the plant that bestows immortality." According to historical information, the juice of an aloe plant growing in the desert, was used in the embalming of the dead.

In 1652, the Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck founded a small settlement on the Cape of Good Hope, where the Dutch, French and Germans fled from religious persecution in their homeland. Europeans, who found themselves in unusual living conditions, suffered from previously unknown ailments, which were almost impossible to cope with. It was during that period that Europeans began to adopt the experience of the local population and be treated with medicinal plants growing in nature.

Aloe came to Europe in 1795. The flower was presented to the wife of General James Henry Craig during one of the African campaigns. Mrs. Craig liked the plant so much that they took it with them to the UK.

Aloe was brought to Russia only in the 19th century. Unlike Europeans, many of whom are currently not familiar with the features of this succulent and consider it just an unusual indoor flower, our compatriots quickly learned and appreciated the beneficial and healing properties of aloe.

Aloe in the modern world

Aloe growing in the natural environment, the description of which includes more than 340 varieties, is famous for its beneficial and healing properties. Today, this culture has found its application in folk and traditional medicine, cosmetology, dermatology and aromatherapy.

Gained widespread popularity medicinal varieties, among which it is worth noting the tree-like, Socotrin and Barbados varieties. The latter is better known as aloe vera and is grown in almost every home. This houseplant is used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, as well as for

Aloe brings nature into the home and is important element his design. Also popular due to unique properties plants that can have a beneficial effect on human health. Where is the homeland houseplant aloe? How to care for a flower?

Evergreen succulent plant, up to 4 m high. root system fibrous. Branched roots have a cylindrical shape, painted in a grayish color. Stem erect, branching.

Plants are decorated with regular leaves, which are distinguished by juiciness, fleshiness and have cartilaginous spikes along the edges, curved at the top. Top surface sheet plate flat and convex at the bottom.

Flowers are orange, bell-shaped, tubular, collected in an original brush at the end of a long peduncle. The fruit is presented in the form of a box, resembling a cylinder.

Flowering occurs in the winter season, but is intermittent, while the flowering plant does not form seeds.

Homeland of indoor flower

The plant has been known since biblical times.. In the 1st century AD. the apostles, who were engaged in missionary activities, stayed on the island of Socotra, when they saw aloe, they became interested in it.

After that, they continued to study the culture on the Malabar coast, where the Indian state of Kerala is now located. In Russia as indoor flower Aloe appeared only in the 19th century.

Homeland is Africa, India, south and west of the Arabian Peninsula. The flower is cultivated in Asia and Africa, in the Antilles.

Most regions of the world grow it as ornamental plant in the garden and as an indoor flower.

How to care for a plant at home

Aloe - an unpretentious houseplant, but when caring for at home, you should follow a few specific rules, which include:

Succulent and lighting for it

Culture prefers light and warmth, so it is desirable to place it on the windowsills on the south side, but you should get rid of direct scorching rays sun.

Temperature regime

The ideal temperature in the summer for aloe is 23-26 degrees. IN winter period can withstand temperatures down to 10 degrees above zero.

Not frequent watering!

Aloe does not require holding frequent watering . From April to October, water 1-2 times in 10 days, and during dormancy - 1 time in 15 days. To do this, you must use settled water at room temperature.

The main thing is to prevent waterlogging of the earth, as this can lead to an early death of the flower.

Unpretentious houseplant aloe:

Fertilization as an important part of care

To stimulate growth and prevent diseases, it is necessary to fertilize the flower. You need to feed once a month from March to October during its active growing season. In winter, top dressing should be stopped.

You should use any liquid fertilizers for succulents and cacti.

Transplantation and reproduction, soil composition

Young plants under the age of five years should be transplanted annually in the spring, and older ones - once every three years. For soil, it is desirable to use a ready-made substrate, soil with a special composition, purchased in gardening stores.

seeds, cuttings and by dividing the tuber. This event must be carried out in the spring.

Possible problems when growing aloe

At home, growing a crop can be accompanied by a variety of difficulties that arise mainly due to improper care. To the most common problems applies to:

1. Paleness of aloe leaves and their wilting occurs due to an excess of moisture in the soil. Therefore, watering should be reduced, and if the roots rot, transplant into a new pot, cutting off the damaged roots.
2. Due to the lack of sunlight, the flower can grow sharply and it will look ugly. To compensate for the lack of lighting, you can use artificial light lamps.
3. Very compacted soil can cause slow plant growth. In this case right decision will be transplanted into light soil.
4. brown tips on leaves signal about low humidity air in the room. Therefore, the room must be constantly ventilated.
5. root rot can lead to cessation of growth with the drying of the stem. The flower should be transplanted into a new container with the presence good drainage, after cutting off the damaged roots and reduce watering.
6. Plants are susceptible to attack by pests such as scale insects and mealybugs., which cause the wilting of the flower. In solving this problem, the use of specially designed tools with which the flower should be processed will help.

To avoid these problems, it is necessary perform certain agricultural practices of this plant and respond in a timely manner to changes in appearance to detect diseases and potential pests.

Then the agave will be characterized by rapid growth, and form new, strong leaves that will find their use in traditional medicine recipes.

Universal remedy in folk medicine

Aloe, thanks to its properties, is considered a popular medicine among all known medicinal plants in folk medicine.

The most valuable in aloe are the juicy, fleshy lower leaves, at least three years old, which should be broken off at the base of the stem.

Due to the unique composition, the succulent increases the body's defenses and allows it to fight various diseases on its own, namely:

• has a positive effect on the functional state of the central nervous system;
• promotes the activation of the immune system, preventing the defeat of viruses and different kind infections;
• improves the condition of the digestive system, stabilizes the work of the intestines, relieves heartburn, flatulence, constipation;
• cleanses the body of toxins, toxins, radionuclides;
• heals various purulent wounds, ulcers, burns, abscesses, boils;
• reduces the content of glucose in the body, gradually relieving diabetes;
• helps to cope with eye problems such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis and myopia;
• improves working capacity and processes of memorization, reproduction of information.

Aloe - food, medicine and cosmetics:

Indoor aloe flower is not only an interior decoration, but also a natural green first aid kit on the windowsill.

The genus of aloe has several hundred species and combines perennial herbaceous, shrubby and tree-like cultures adapted to living in dry places. The birthplace of aloe is located in latitudes with a hot climate, which is comfortable for a flower. Due to its unpretentiousness in care, the plant is often grown at home.

Name

In Latin, culture is called Áloë. The name is borrowed from Greek. The word ἀλόη is derived from the Arabic "alva" (ألوة), denoting a high degree of salinity of a substance, and the Hebrew "akhal" (אהל), indicating a bitter taste.

The etymology of the word is associated with the properties of the juice of the plant. The substance located in the sheets around the gelatinous gel-like core has a specific taste.

In Russian, some varieties of aloe flower are called "agave". The name of a common type of houseplant, aloe vera, means "true".

Flower birthplace

The homeland of the plant is considered to be South Africa and Madagascar. On the territory of South Africa at the beginning of the first millennium AD. tribes lived who used the flower as remedy. They carried a few leaves of aloe with them to heal wounds. This is evidenced by archaeological excavations in caves located near Cromdray and Sterkfontein.

Places flower at home prefers semi-desert, often in the coastal zone, surrounded by other thorny shrubs. It is found in savannahs, where there is sandy or gravelly soil, in mountainous areas up to 2700 m above sea level.

Spreading

Today wild aloe are found in most countries of Africa and South Asia, Cuba, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, Transcaucasia and Crimea. IN South America and Asian countries learned about the flower thanks to trade channels.

According to a common version, in Europe they learned about culture thanks to the colonialists. A permanent settlement of immigrants from Europe was founded in 1652 by Jan Van Riebeeck on the territory of the Cape of Good Hope. European settlers were distrustful of local healing practices, considering them "devilish".

In new climates traditional tricks medicines were ineffective.

In the 17th and 18th centuries the territory is being developed by settlers from the Netherlands and Germany. During this period, Europeans begin to adopt the practice of treating local residents, including knowledge of the beneficial properties of aloe.

After 1770, doctors from Europe used the leaves of the plant in the treatment of soldiers who were injured in the Kaffir wars. But knowledge about the properties of culture has not yet received wide distribution.

In 1795 an army was sent to Kapstad, commanded by General James Henry Craig. His wife was partial to flowers. Once she was presented with a pot of aloe as a gift. It is believed that since then the fashion for growing a flower as a decorative ornament began to spread.

By the second half of the XIX century. the plant became a popular house flower and traditional medicine recognized it medicinal properties:

• the ability to restore the structure of the skin, stabilize the acid and water balance;
• positive effect on metabolism;
• bactericidal and antifungal activity.

Today, in the medical and cosmetic industries, the plant is widely used in the manufacture of medicines. Aloe extract is used in the manufacture of care products for the face and body.

The leaves of the culture contain a complex of minerals, vitamins and chemical compounds useful for humans. The plant is deservedly called the "home doctor".