“The ladies were delighted to welcome Leanne Field of Warminster, to talk about Aloe Vera – often called the miracle plant, the silent healer, the burn plant or even the medicine plant,” report Liz Lee of Dilton Marsh WI.
“It was discovered by George Ebers in 1862 in an ancient Egyptian papyrus dated 3500BC, which turned out to be a collection of herbal remedies. It was used by both the ancient Chinese and Indian cultures, and also by the Greeks, Egyptian queens and wounded soldiers.
“Aloe vera is succulent-looking, rather like a cactus, but is in fact a member of the lily family, related to onions, garlic and asparagus. When mature, the inner gel can be harvested, preserved and bottled to produce a near natural plant juice.
“The gel can be taken internally for an anti-inflammatory and immune- balancing effect. It can also be combined with other ingredients to produce topical creams, lotions, soaps and toothpaste. Inside the leaf there are at least 75 ingredients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, sugars, enzymes, plant sterols, saponins, anthraquinones and salycylic acid.
“Members had a chance to taste the liquid, smooth the creams on their skin and samples were handed out for everyone to try at home. The talk was fascinating in content and Leanne a vivacious and delightful speaker.
“Next month’s meeting on April 12th is ‘Jewellery-Making’ with Susan Waldron. Come along and join us.”
