Aloe Vera and Fuerteventura

The aloe is native to Africa and is also known as "medicine plant" and "lily of the desert". It grows quite naturally in Fuerteventura and the growth in natural health medicine has seen the processing of the plant become an island industry.

The Canary Island government has grants of up to 50 per cent to encourage cultivation of the plant.

The name aloe comes from the Arabic alloeh which means bitter due to the bitter taste of the juice in the leaves.

The aloe's healing properties have been recognised throughout history. In 1500 BC the Egyptians noted its usefulness in treating burns and infections. African hunters rub aloe on their skin to reduce perspiration and hide their scent.

The healing gel of the aloe is known as savia. Even Christopher Columbus recognised its qualities and stocked up while in the Canaries. It is though that American plantations of aloe originated from the Canary Islands.

Although the plant resembles a cactus, it is actually a member of the lily family as is garlic.

Although there are over 250 species of aloe throughout the world, only four have recognised nutritional properties. The most important part of the plant, the gel, is extracted from inside the leaf of the aloe. The outer leaf is of no use and between the skin and the gel is a juice called aloin, a reddish sap that keeps the gel cool and protects the valuable mineral and proteins.

The healing properties of aloe vera is down to the fact that the gel acts as a natural anti-histamin and also contains salicyclic acid which is akin to aspirin.

Aloe vera gel also contains nine different minerals including sodium, potassium, zinc and magnesium as well as folic acid and choline and vitamins A, E, C and B12.

The main plant grown on Fuerteventura is aloe vera barbadensis that grows to about 70cms.

A wide range of aloe vera products are on sale on Fuerteventura and you can even buy your own aloe vera plants to take home.

Other pages