Aloe vera «Anthony» - a modest desert child
Probably the Aloe vera has its origin on the Arabian Peninsula. No wonder that it needs little water. For us, however, it was a reason to include it in our small but fine men's plant assortment.
The juice that forms in the leaves is nothing more than a supply of water and nutrients on which the plant depends in regions where there is no rain for months.
​
It is actually astonishing that plants thrive in the deserts of this world. After all, water shortages, extreme temperature fluctuations, sandstorms and even salt soils are a hostile environment.
In the meantime, Aloe vera is cultivated in subtropical as well as tropical regions. In the Mediterranean area, in India, on the West Indian Islands, the Canary Islands as well as in Mexico it is even considered naturalized.
Aloe vera - a touch of immortality
The healing properties of Aloe vera were already recognized in Mesopotamia about 4000 years ago. There, diseases were always regarded as demonic possession of the body and only a divine plant such as Aloe had the natural power to exorcise the demons.
​
Later, Alexander the Great employed the Aloe juice to heal the wounds of his warriors. He had the Aloe vera planted on specially designed carts and carried them to the battlefields. So, he always had fresh supplies.
​
In ancient Egypt, however, Aloe vera was also an integral part when it came to embalming the dead. Since the aim was to achieve eternal life by stopping the physical decomposition process, Aloe vera was considered to be a plant of immortality.
​
Well, our plant for men «Anthony» is not immortal. But with reasonable care this extremely undemanding plant can live up to 10 years.
Aloe vera make you look beautiful and gives eternal youth
For the ancient Egyptians, Aloe vera was already considered a plant whose juice gave beauty, health and immortality about 6000 years ago. This is why Egyptian queens such as Nefertiti and Cleopatra appreciated it and used it as a part of their daily skin and beauty care. Cleopatra, in particular, was apparently very successful in this respect, as the Roman general Mark Antony fell in love with her. This is why we have given the Aloe vera among our plants for men the name «Anthony».
​
In Sanskrit the Aloe vera is known as Ghrita-Kumari. Kumari means girl and it was believed that this plant supplied the energy of youth to women and had a rejuvenating effect on the female nature.
Last but not least, various primitive peoples of Africa, India and China attributed extrasensory powers to the Aloe vera and burned its wood to drive away evil spirits.
No wonder, then, that depending on culture and country, Aloe vera was also called Lily of the Desert, Royal Plant, Fountain of Youth, Wand of Heaven and Method of Harmony.