Ancient history of Aloe vera

There are over 275 species in the genus Aloe worldwide. Of the three to four species used commercially, the most popular is Aloe barbadensis Miller, most commonly called aloe vera.

Since the dawn of human history, the aloe vera plant has been known to possess medical properties.

Aloe vera was widely used in Mesopotamia and Ancient Arabs. One of the earliest recorded medicinal uses of it can be found on an ancient Sumerian clay tablet dating back to 2100 BC.

Record appeared bin Egyptian Papyrus Ebers, dated 1550 BC, stated that aloe vera had many medicinal values and that they were widely acclaimed and had been for many centuries before.

It is believed that the Egyptians valued the plant most for its use as a drug but that was also brought as a gift to the pharaohs’ funerals.

Aloe vera had apparently reached Persia and India by 600 BC – it was probably introduced there by Arab traders as a laxative.

The Arabs, who called the plant the ‘desert lily’, had been using it for a range of both internal and external disorders. They had developed a process to separate the inner gel and sap from the outer leaf or rind. 

History also stated that Aristotle persuaded Alexander the Great to conquer Socroto, a land off the East coast of Africa for the singular purpose of obtaining aloe vera which was a wound healing medicine for his soldiers.

The smooth complexions of the Mayan Indian women of the Yucatan are attributed to the use of the gel. North and Central American Indians have long relied on aloe vera gel to treat burns and prevent blisters. 

Aloe vera came to Greece in the 4th century BC and to China in the 11th century AD.
Ancient history of Aloe vera