Being a medicinal herb that's multi-purpose, the plant is commonly utilized in many households worldwide. Unlike other kinds of plants, the aloe vera no longer grows in the wild. The aloe vera is thought to have originated from the country of Africa, with relatives of the plant still living up to this day. You can also find references of the plant in the Bible, which makes it one of the oldest documented species of plants known to man. Today, this plant is only known to live in captivity or grown by a lot of people for domestic use (especially in their own home herb garden). This makes the aloe vera quite unique compared to household plants that can be found in the wild.

The aloe vera has a lot of properties, from soothing burns, promoting faster healing, to the treatment of diseases like diabetes. Because of the plant's special compounds (which include polymannans, acetylated mannans, anthrones, anthraquinone C-glycosides, lectins and anthraquinones), companies tend to add aloe to their products' ingredients so as to entice users to buy them.

This is a succulent plant (or fat plant) that thrives in zones 8-10. It can be used as an ornamental plant for low-water gardens, and can also be placed indoors. It can't do quite well in freezing temperatures, and will eventually die if left in such a condition. For those who want to keep the plant in freezing conditions, it is a must to keep it indoors or in a greenhouse so as to prevent the frost from killing it. Being a succulent plant, it resembles cacti and other common desert plants. As the plant would favor acrid kinds of climates, too much water exposure will kill it. Because it's one of the easiest plants to care for, it should not be watered until its soil will run dry. Only soil with good drainage should be utilized in potting the plant, because having too much sitting water will cause the root to rot.

When grown at home, the plant is typically used for treating cuts and burns. There are conflicting studies when it comes to analyzing how the plant would affect the rate of healing. There are indicators that would say that the healing rate may be dependent on the depth and type of the burn, and the manner that it's bandaged. Some studies would say that the rate of healing is being slowed down from the plant. The plant may also be digested to serve as a general cure.

Despite lacking data regarding its healing abilities and other properties, it has garnered a good reputation among the people, granting the plant a place in soaps, lotions, shampoos and a wide selection of cosmetics. But the gains garnered from the plant's presence in the products are just based on belief and not on solid scientific proof. But with its good properties, the aloe vera truly is one worthy addition to your own herb garden at home.