One of the mysterious secrets of the Aloë vera is the remarkable way in which the plant heals itself: If you cut off a small piece of leaf, you can see a thin film form over the wound of the plant after a few seconds. This consists of the sap of the plant which contains a unique combination of natural healing substances. After a few minutes a rubber-like layer is formed which protects the wound of the plant and stops the loss of fluid. This characteristic can also be seen on our skin: Wounds heal quickly and usually without scarring after applying the sap of the Aloë vera.

The gel of the Aloë vera:

• has a cooling effect on the skin
• stimulates the growth of new skin cells and removes dead skin cells from the skin
• has a fluid regulating, anti-inflammatory and infection resisting effect
• softens irritations and reduces the swelling of the skin
• relieves itching and pain
• is rich in vitamins and minerals and provides the skin with nutrients

A few applications for external use are:

• Acne/eczema or a dry rough skin
• Small burns such as sunburn (if it is severe contact a doctor!)
• Sports injuries
• Insect bites
• Scrapes and cuts
  
  

For the consumption of the Aloë vera gel we refer you to the many Aloë vera drinks and nutrients that are available. Aloë vera is a natural product. However, it is not a recognised medicine and therefore not intended to replace medicines without prior consultation of a doctor.

The best method to make an Aloë vera extract is to cut the leaves:

Cut off a piece of one of the lower leaves of the plant

Cut off the notched sides



Now cut open the leaf and remove the transparent gel from the leaf

Attention: just below the surface of the leaf is aloin, which has a yellow colour and which substance can irritate the skin. So don't cut too close to the surface of the leaf. Use only the centre, transparent part of the leaf and avoid the possibly released yellow liquid.

The transparent gel that remains is ready for use.



Apply the needed Aloë vera gel to the place to be treated and give it time to soak in.

The gel can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. After that it will loose its effect.

A faster method is to cut open the cut-off leaf and to place it on the site that needs to be treated directly.

The Aloë vera likes semi-shadow to full sunlight. The plant can be placed in any desirable place in the house as long as it is not too dark. In the summer months the Aloë vera can be placed outside on a terrace or balcony. Note: when you have just purchased the plant do not place it in full sunlight, but have the plant adjust in semi-shadow for a few days. The plant needs little water and can therefore do without for a long period of time. Once a month moderate watering is sufficient. If there is sufficient light and heat more water can be given. The leaves will become fuller and a larger amount of gel can then be harvested from the leaf. Do make sure the plant does not get too wet and become limp.

This Aloë vera is not suitable for consumption. For the consumption of the Aloë vera gel we refer you to the many Aloë vera drinks and nutrients that are available.

Intended for decoration and not for consumption.

The Aloë vera (Bardadensis Miller) belongs to the Xanthorrhoeaceae family of plants and finds its origin in North Africa. The leaves grow in a rosette and are notched because they possess very small white thorns on the edge. The leaf is thick and fleshy, green to gray-green with white dots, in which the plant stores water to tide over the dry periods. The gray colour is the layer of wax of the plant, which provides protection so the plant can withstand drought and extreme heat. The use of the Aloë vera plant has already been described in herbal medicine since the first century after Christ. These days the plant is cultivated on a large scale for its gel, which is frequently used for cosmetics and (alternative) medicine.

The Aloë vera is also called the pharmacy in the window sill. See effect and application.

Sustainable business practices are becoming more and more important and this is expressed in the environmentally-friendly manner in which these succulents are cultivated:

• Minimal use of weedkillers and fertilisers.
• 100% re-circulated water, so no draining to the outside. Water disinfected via a UV filter, so all water and fertilisers are re-used.
• Cultivators search for disease and pests weekly, so any starting attacks on the plants are noticed almost right away and can be combated on a small scale, therefore needing less weedkiller
• The plants are cultivated without the use of gas (zero gas) so there is no CO₂ emission (zero CO₂). All because the greenhouses are heated with residual heat.

All this creates extremely environmentally-friendly cultivated plants:
“Growing better, respecting the environment”!

Pure Succulents makes use of environmentally-friendly cultivation and packaging materials as well.

Recycled cultivation pot
The plastic cultivation pot consists of 100% recycled material. In other words, the cultivation pot is made from waste products that have been re-used.

FSC
The products are packed and transported in a cardboard tray, which has received the FSC certificate of approval. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC talks of responsible forest management when the social, ecological and economical aspects of forestry are balanced. This means that for every tree that is cut down a new tree will be planted.

Pure Succulents has a number of certifications in the area of environment and durability:

MPS-A
MPS-ABC is a unique standard in the world. It works like a measure that shows to what extent a company is environmentally friendly. MPS-ABC consists of various levels: MPS-A, MPS-B and MPS-C. Pure Succulents has the MPS-A status, which stands for the most environmentally friendly business. 

MPS-GAP
Supermarkets want to purchase safe, durably cultivated, qualitatively good and traceable products. The European supermarket organisations (EUREP) have actually drawn up a number of criteria for this (GlobalGAP). The MPS-GAP certificate shows that Pure Succulents complies with these criteria.