It seems like household every garden in New Zealand has an Aloe Vera plant, but did you know that Aloe Vera can’t be found naturally in the wild?

This highly useful plant have been cultivated over the years and draws most of its beneficial properties from the gel-like substance held within its green fleshy leaves. Nearly everyone’s first contact with Aloe Vera is probably their mother or grandma slicing open the meaty leaves and smearing the gooey like substance over their sun burn during the height of summer, but Aloe Vera can be used in so many different ways, not only on the skin but also internally.

For the skin aloe is great for burns, scolds, sunburn, psoriasis and cold sores. Internally aloe is often used to soothe stomach ailments but is also helps support against stomach ulcers, diabetes and treating some of the side effects of chemo-therapy. Aloe also supports the bowel and may relieve constipation and haemorrhoids.

HealthBank sell Aloe Vera in Juice and Capsule form as well in skin care products to help soothe a inflamed angry skin.