7 Aloe Folk Remedies from Aruba

ALOE - 1

Ever since it was first brought to Aruba by the Dutch in 1840, the aloe vera plant has made a happy home on our little island, absolutely thriving in Aruba's semi-arid tropical climate. While aloe is certainly decorative, locals have always embraced this plant primarily for its curative properties. Of course, aloe is still used today on the island to bring about wellness; find out more about wellness in Aruba by visiting the Aloe Wellness Month Aruba page.

Here below is the list of 7 ways that aloe was traditionally used by local Arubans to cure any number of ailments:

1. Treat Arthritis, Diabetes, Cough and Stomach Ulcers

The clear gel inside the aloe leaf can be eaten in order to help treat problems such as arthritis, diabetes, cough, and stomach ulcers.  Many prefer to blend the gel with honey or fruit to make a tasty drink.

2. Energy Boost

Feeling tired or lethargic?  The gel can be eaten or consumed as a beverage for a quick energy boost.   

Cutting Aloe

3. Reduce Swelling and Treat Burns

The gel can be used to treat a lump caused by a blow to the body.  Cut a small piece of the gel, place it on the lump, and hold it in place with a small bandage.  After a few days, the swelling will have gone down and the pain will be gone.  The same treatment can be used for a wound or burn.  (For a wound or burn, rubbing the gel on the affected area is sufficient.)

Aloe Gel

4. Treat Skin Problems 

Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and E, aloe gel is fantastic for the skin.  Skin problems such as dryness, psoriasis, acne, and eczema can be alleviated by applying aloe gel to the affected area.

5. Aloe Yourself Fabulous Hair

Washing your hair with aloe gel cleans the scalp and leaves hair looking healthy and shiny.

6. Natural Laxative 

The yellow oil that seeps from the aloe leaf when it's cut can be added to water to make a foolproof laxative.  Interestingly, the Aloe vera plant will only produce this oil if the climate is hot enough like it is in Aruba.

Aloe Sap

7. Pet-Friendly Treatments

Aloe can also be used to treat pets that have skin or digestion problems.  It can even be used to rid your pet of ticks.

So there you have it!  Seven different aloe remedies that hold up today just as well as they did when our great-grandmothers used them.  Try them out for yourself! 

Aloe isn't the only key to wellness on Aruba.  This June, Aruba will showcase its wide range of wellness experiences for island guests.  We invite you to learn about these special experiences by visiting the Aloe Wellness Month Aruba page.

This blog post is made in collaboration with our friends at Aruba Aloe, producing the world's finest aloe since 1890.