Most survivalists know the benefit of keeping certain plants around to help prepare for a crisis.
However many often overlook aloe vera.
Aloe vera is an extremely hardy plant.
Native to the rugged southern states, aloe vera can be grown with little water, withstands severe abuse, and grows hardily without requiring much attention.
According to The Garden Helper, here’s all that should be done to grow aloe.
Because Aloe Vera plants are very succulent and consist of 95% water, they are extremely frost tender. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade. The soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.
Because of their popularity, Aloe vera plants are available at almost every garden shop or nursery. Unless you live in area with a very mild climate, it’s best to leave your Aloe plant in the pot and place it near a window that gets a lot of sun.
The simple steps for planting aloe vera are as follows:
From Instructables.com
Step 1: Gathering The Materials
Materials list:
- an aloe vera leaf
- a clay pot with large holes in it
- potting soil
- a watering device (such as a hose)
- a couple fragments of broken pottery
- knife
- spoon
You can gather all these things at a plant nursery and a gardening store.
Step 2: Prepare The Pot
First check your pot. Your pot should have large holes for water drainage. Then get a piece of broken pottery and place it over the hole like shown above. This piece should keep the dirt from falling out of the pot but will still drain water. Next, fill the pot with potting soil until it is 1 inch below the edge of the pot.
Step 3: Plant The Aloe Vera
Take the leaf of aloe vera and place it on the soil so it lays flat. Then push it a little into the soil like shown above. The aloe vera should still be exposed a little. Next, find a place to set your pot and aloe. It should be near sunlight and on something that you’re okay getting wet.
Step 4: Water And Wait
Then water the aloe vera. Pour water into the pot until it reaches the edge of the pot. Then let it soak through the soil and drain a little. Water the aloe whenever you see the soil dry. Next, you wait. The aloe vera should sprout tiny leaves in a couple of weeks.
Now that you’ve grown the Aloe Vera plant, take a look at what it can do for you in survival situations.
Amazing Survival and Non-Survival Uses of Aloe Vera
List provided by Onegoodthingbyjillee.com
Here are some more amazing uses for this indispensable household ally!
- Reduces Eye Puffiness: Put a little under your eyes after a long night. Takes the puffiness right away! Cotton balls soaked in refrigerated Aloe Vera Gel also provides a great compress for tired, puffy eyes.
- Prevent/Fade Stretch Marks, Age Spots, Freckles: Begin massaging aloe vera on your stomach twice a day and continue throughout your pregnancy and after delivery for a few months until any stretch marks fade.
- Hemorrhoid Relief: The very same anti-inflammatory constituents that reduce blistering and inflammation in burns also help reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids. Break off a piece of the aloe vera leaf and apply only the clear gel to the hemorrhoids.
- Intestinal Problems Remedy: Taken internally, it heals stomach ulcers and heartburn, and in general soothes the digestive tract. Adverse effects reported from ingesting Aloe Vera include diarrhea and kidney trouble.
- Strengthen Weak Nails: Gently massage aloe on your nail beds every day for a few weeks and watch them gain their former luster.
- Soothe Razor Burn: Rub onto razor burns for some much-needed relief!
- Skin & Sunburn Soothe: Acne, eczema, and skin irritation respond well to the natural antiseptics in Aloe. Apply gel 2-3 times a day to the area until it is healed. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol which makes it a great way to sooth sunburns. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn.
- Natural Shaving Gel and Aftershave: Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory thanks to its enzymes and with its high water content, it is very hydrating. It provides a smooth surface on your skin giving you a very close shave. Aloe also can be used as an aftershave to prevent razor burn.
- Wrinkle Repair: Skin loves Vitamins C and E which are present in Aloe, helping to improve skins firmness and keep it hydrated. Combining virgin coconut oil can make a creamier way to supplement nutrients, essential fats and moisture. Aloe Vera gel penetrates skin almost four times faster than water, and its super emollient qualities help it moisturize the under layers of skin.
- Cold and Flu: Aloe Vera boosts the immune system. It contains a long list of Phytonutrients. It contains Vitamin A, B, C, E. It contains a long list of minerals, plant sterols and enzymes.
- Vitamin B12 for Vegans: The main medicinal use of aloe vera is to support and improve bacteria flora. In addition aloe vera contains the correct combinations of minerals that the bacteria needs to produce Vitamin B12.
- Energy Booster: Another medicinal use of aloe vera is boosting energy levels. This is due to the vitamin b complexes and other nutrients that aid in converting a higher percentage of the food in your stomach to energy.
- Eliminating Dandruff: Mix it with your shampoo, hair conditioner, and other hair care products. Or….before bedtime wet hair thoroughly with aloe vera juice and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly in the morning.
- Menstrual Cramps: Aloe vera gel and black pepper: Take a spoon of the gel with a pinch of pepper three times a day till you get relief.
- Hair Smoother: Aloe vera gel fights frizz in hair and is a great replacement for expensive styling products.
- Natural Hand Sanitizer: Combine 5-10 drops lavender essential oil; 30 drops tea tree essential oil; 1 Tablespoon witch hazel; 8 ounces 100% pure aloe vera gel. Add several drops of Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative to increase shelf life of this product. (It will also help soften hands!)
- Leave-in Conditioner/Scalp Soother: Mix aloe vera gel with a little rosemary essential oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil, squirt on scalp and ends of hair. Do not rinse, and this mixture soothes an itchy scalp and softens hair.
- Natural Mouthwash: Make a homemade aloe vera mouthwash by mixing 2 ounces of Aloe Vera Gel; 3 teaspoons of baking soda; 1 ounce of water, preferably room temperature; 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 5 – 10 drops peppermint essential oil. Rinse..and repeat!
- Regularity Booster: A daily intake of 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel will act like a general tonic and as a mild regulator of the bowels.
- (In)Digestion: Aloe vera juice can be effective in aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach, and providing relief for heartburn.
- Cholesterol Lowering: Studies have shown that drinking aloe vera juice can safely lower cholesterol over time.
- Psoriasis: Aloe Vera gel softens and soothes this painful and itchy skin condition. Just apply the gel directly on the skin three times a day for about a month. Studies show an almost 85 percent effective rate of this disease.
- Acne Treatment: Aloe Vera clears acne by removing the dead cells, thus opening the skin pores and removal of the blocked oil. Apply directly on the outbreak. Scars that have been left by acne can also be treated with aloe.
- Shingles: Shingles which is the adult version of chickenpox, usually occurs in adults with a low immune system. Aloe Vera can be used on painful shingles caused by the herpes virus. By applying aloe directly on the open sores it dilates the blood vessels, which aids in healing the wounds.
- Sunscreen: Aloe Vera protects against both types of ultraviolet rays that cause premature aging and that cause sunburn and skin darkening of the sun.
- Deodorizing Body Spray: Make a refreshing deodorizing spray from aloe and citrus. Combine 7 oz distilled water; 1 oz aloe vera gel; 60 drops mandarin essential oil (or sweet orange). Spray onto hands and/or feet as needed to remove sweat or stickiness. Let dry naturally.
- Hair Detangler: Mix one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a couple drops of glycerin and grapefruit oil, half a teaspoon of grapeseed extract and eight ounces of clean water. Keep this solution in a spray bottle, spraying lightly while in the shower. Keep in mind that citrus oils are sensitive to sun rays, so use caution before heavy sun exposure.
- Eliminating Canker Sores: Aloe vera contains vitamins as well as amino acids that help repair damaged tissues. Research has found that canker sore sufferers who applied aloe vera gel healed about 50 per cent faster than those who didn’t.
- Treat Yeast Infections: You can treat a vaginal infection by applying Aloe externally and by drinking the gel for its anti-fungal properties. Four to six ounces aloe vera gel daily can help manage Candida colonies in the body naturally and to help keep Candida in check. Moreover, continued use may prevent further infections from occurring.
- Hunters Helper: Hunters in Africa routinely rub their bodies with aloe to reduce sweating and mask their natural odor from animals.
- Nail-Biting Solution: Brush a child’s fingernails with aloe vera juice, which has a very bitter taste to discourage nail biting.
- Weight Loss: Researchers have found that drinking aloe vera juice lowers blood sugar, a positive effect for those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Scientists believe that by keeping blood sugar low, you’ll lose weight.
- Combating Anemia: Using aloe vera promotes the production of more red blood cells in your body and fight off anemia.
- Relieving Arthritis Pain: Because of its anti-inflammatory properties you can reduce the inflammation of the joints and the resulting pain by applying aloe vera gel to the area where you are experiencing the pain.
- Alleviating Earaches: A few drops of aloe vera juice can bring a good amount of relief if you are having ear pain.
Let us know if you’re going to start using Aloe Vera soon.
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