Discovering the Origin of the Aloe Vera Plant: A Historical Perspective
The aloe vera plant has become an incredibly popular houseplant and ingredient in many beauty and health products. But where did this succulent originate? In this article we’ll explore the historical journey to discover the origin of the aloe vera plant.
The Use of Aloe Vera Throughout History
Aloe vera has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for over 6,000 years. The first recorded use comes from ancient Egypt where aloe was known as the “plant of immortality.” Egyptians used aloe vera for healing wounds, burns and infections. Ancient Greeks called aloe the “universal panacea” and used it to heal everything from hair loss to wounds.
By the 1500s, Spanish explorers introduced aloe to the Americas and Caribbean islands Around this time, aloe also became popular in India, China, Mexico, and Japan. European botanists were fascinated by the plant and soon aloe made its way into modern medicine and pharmacies
Today, aloe is a billion dollar industry. It’s found in medicines, cosmetics, skin creams, juices, drinks, and supplements. Clearly, aloe vera has stood the test of time as a versatile plant with a long history of human use.
The Search for Aloe Vera’s Origins
For centuries, botanists have debated over aloe vera’s geographical point of origin. The aloe genus contains over 500 species, most of which are native to Africa. But which was the first aloe vera?
In ancient times, aloe trade routes connected the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and Mediterranean – indicating the plant came from these regions. Based on historical records, scientists hypothesized aloe vera originated along the Arabian Peninsula or Northern Africa.
However, the ancestral home could not be pinpointed until genetic analyses were performed on aloe plants from around the world. Researchers from Kew Gardens, the University of Copenhagen, and institutions globally extracted DNA from aloe species. They created the most comprehensive genetic library of aloes to date.
Their phylogenic results, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, traced aloe vera back to the Arabian Peninsula. The DNA evidence suggests aloe vera evolved right alongside other aloe species native to this hot, arid region.
While the Arabian desert may seem an unlikely place for a succulent to originate, it makes sense. Aloes from this area evolved thick, water-storing leaves to survive. Aloe vera shares this adaptative anatomy – further pointing to an Arabian origin.
Why Did Aloe Vera Become So Popular?
If aloe vera comes from the Arabian Peninsula, how did it become popular across the globe? Shouldn’t species from other regions have been used instead?
Well, aloe vera grows right alongside ancient trade routes. Traders likely found this abundant local succulent useful for treating wounds and infections on long journeys. They soon realized aloe vera worked better than aloes from farther away.
Additionally, aloe vera isn’t genetically distinct from its Arabian relatives. Yet it’s the aloe species that took over global markets. Why? Simply because aloe vera was the first introduced outside its native land. With a head start over other species, it gained traction in new regions.
Local availability and early adoption drove aloe vera’s initial popularity outside Arabia. Then once established along trade routes, its use spread rapidly. Aloe vera’s global dominance today is linked to this early geographical advantage.
The Many Uses of Aloe Vera
Part of aloe vera’s appeal is its versatility. Various cultures found unique medicinal, cosmetic, and cultural uses for aloe vera:
-
Ancient Egyptians used aloe vera in embalming mummies. They also created the first cosmetic cream from the plant.
-
Chinese traditional medicine uses aloe to treat fungal diseases, inflammation, and stomach ulcers.
-
In India, aloe vera is called the “silent healer” and used in Ayurvedic medicine. It treats constipation, skin diseases, and infections.
-
Native Americans use aloe vera to heal wounds, treat burns, and relieve pain.
-
Across Africa, aloe vera symbolizes protection and religious purification.
-
Today, aloe vera is still beloved worldwide. It moisturizes skin, treats sunburns, stimulates hair growth, and aids digestion.
Clearly, aloe vera appeals to many cultures for its beauty, health, and ceremonial purposes. This also helped drive its popularity across continents over centuries.
Cultivating Aloe Vera
Luckily, aloe vera is easy to grow at home with proper care:
-
Pot aloe vera in a small container with drainage holes. Choose a gritty potting mix and avoid soil that retains moisture.
-
Water aloe every 1-2 weeks in warm weather, reducing to once a month in winter. The plant is drought-tolerant but don’t let it completely dry out.
-
Grow aloe vera in bright, indirect sunlight indoors. An east or south-facing window is ideal. Outdoors, partial shade is better than full sun.
-
Feed aloe vera with a diluted liquid fertilizer a few times per year. But don’t over-fertilize, as the salts can burn its leaves.
-
Repot annually in spring to provide fresh soil. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger to prevent overwatering.
Follow these tips and your aloe vera will produce thick, healthy leaves. Then you can use the fresh gel for homemade DIY projects!
The Origins of an Ancient Houseplant
Aloe vera has an intriguing history as one of the earliest houseplants. Though its ancestral home was a mystery for centuries, modern DNA evidence now pins down the Arabian Peninsula as the point of origin.
Luckily, traders quickly realized this desert succulent could treat wounds and rashes. So aloe vera rapidly spread along ancient trade routes to become the globally-known plant it is today. Next time you use an aloe-infused lotion or candy, think of aloe’s fascinating backstory!
Find it in our gardens
A botanic garden in southwest London with the world’s most diverse living plant collection.
In the arid zone of the Princess of Wales Conservatory and behind the scenes in the Tropical Nursery.
Scientists at Kew carry out research on Aloe vera and its close relatives.
This research delves into aloe gel chemistry, leaf shape, genetics, and evolutionary relationships among Aloe species.
Investigating the water-storing gel in Aloe vera leaves that is an adaptation to droughts, could revolutionise how we use aloes in the future to adapt to life on a warmer planet as a result of climate change.
Help us tackle critical global challenges from climate change to food security and protect the future of our plants.
Looking into the genes in aloes and other desert plants could help us secure the future of our food by producing crops that are adapted to growing in increasingly hot, dry places.
Scientists at Kew are also exploring why Aloe vera, out of all 500 species of Aloe, dominates the natural products industry, and how aloes are related to each other.
They do this by extracting the DNA from plant cells and creating a tree of life which is a bit like a family tree.
This tree of life provides insights into the evolutionary history of Aloe vera, including where it originated from and which plants it is closely related to that could share this superstar succulent’s useful properties.
Where in the world?
Rocky and exposed areas in dry climates at an altitude of 1300 to 2600m.
The origin of aloe vera and its history
FAQ
What is the origin of the aloe vera plant?
Is there scientific evidence for aloe vera?
Who was the first person to discover aloe vera?
What is the historical use of aloe vera?
When was aloe vera first discovered?
Historically, we may never know when Aloe Vera’s wellness applications were first discovered as they likely predate written history. We do know of the 6000 years old carvings of the plant discovered in Egypt and, at some point after, became a common burial offering or gift to deceased pharaohs and its remnants are found tombs.
Where does aloe vera come from?
Aloe vera has a surprisingly wide footprint when it comes to where it grows and where it is used for medicinal purposes. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly where this plant originates from because it is now found in so many different parts of the world, but many believe that it is native to the deserts of Africa.
When did aloe vera become popular?
However, it was not until new found processing techniques were developed in the 1960s and 1970s that the new market for Aloe Vera began to expand. With the stabilization of the gel and better technology for processing the desired inner gel and also isolating Acemannan from the plant, it’s use cases have grown.
Did ancient Greeks use aloe vera?
The ancient Greeks and Romans used aloe vera to treat wounds, burns, and skin diseases. The ancient Greek philosopher and physician Dioscorides described the healing properties of aloe vera in his book “De Materia Medica“, written in 70 AD.