Medicine Plant!

Years and years ago, I had an Aloe Vera plant. It grew well and I used the juice of the leaves to treat almost every ailment that beleaguered my kids when they were small. From sunburns to dandruff, this stuff was my one "go to" cure! If one was bitten by and insect..off came a leaf. If one received a scratch from the rose bush..off came a leaf. If one was burned by a spark from the fireplace..off came a leaf. It was a wonder that poor plant grew at all!

Then came Hurricane Katrina. My poor Aloe Vera met its demise. I am quite sure that my plant was washed from the yard to parts unknown. Perhaps it survived the brutality of the waves and made it to some safe bit of land. There it might have taken root and be still growing. In the wild, perhaps my Aloe Vera is thriving and is a huge plant. I have no idea but more than likely, it was just ripped up and tossed aside to die a slow death in the mountains of debris. I have missed my Aloe Vera plant. Many times I have needed a leaf to treat some wound but nary a one was to be found.

About three days ago, I gave my brother a small grapefruit tree. He wanted to have one for his yard and I had an extra one growing in a pot. When Son delivered the small tree to him, he received a gift in return. I am now the proud owner of a new Aloe Vera plant! A medicine cabinet in the plant form! This plant will most likely be used far more than any other in the yard! The goo inside the leaf is perfect for so many skin woes! I am told that the plant can get quite large and will bloom if allowed to grow to its full potential. This means, I am sure, that I should not be pulling off a leaf every time I have some minor nick or scrape. I was pondering the notion of separating the plant and keeping one close to the kitchen and maybe planting some in the herb garden. There, perhaps, it will have room to grow and maybe I will actually have the opportunity to view some of the purportedly yellow blooms! Aloe Vera...Medicine Plant!