What can you keep on your kitchen windowsill or counter that can heal bites and soothe burns? The aloe vera plant. This remarkable plant has healing properties that heal insect bites, minor burns, poison ivy, rash, and athletes foot, and can relieve dry skin and thinking ahead it even soothes sunburn.
The reason: the fresh leaf juice of the aloe vera contains the drug aloin.
The Ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations knew of aloes medicinal powers, so its not surprising that Cleopatra used aloe as part of her beauty regimen.
If you get a minor burn, treat it promptly. Break off the largest leaf of the plant and squeeze it gently, like a tube of toothpaste. It yields a sticky clear gel. Apply the gel directly on the burn.
For the treatment of mild sunburn apply the aloe vera gel frequently. This should reduce the pain and ay subsequent peeling. Apply the gel often also for the treatment of itching caused by insect bites, potion ivy, dry skin, and athletes foot. If any condition persists, see a doctor.
Should you only use a small portion of the leaf, you can keep the rest of it fresh by wrapping it in plastic storing it in the refrigerator. However, because the aloe leafs healing powers are affected by the length of time it has been removed from the plant, ideally its best to cut a fresh leaf for every application, depending on the size of your plant.
