How to grow Aloevera and Uses of it

Most people know that you can use Aloevera to soothe sunburns. However, this versatile plant has several other medicinal properties, making it one of nature’s best herbal remedies. Its vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients make it an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. We can find Aloevera plant in everything from skin and hair care products to ointments, drinks.

There are 500 species of aloe vera, but Aloe barbadensis Miller, native to the Arabian peninsula, is the most widely available and most popular one. You can buy a small plant from farmers markets or small local growers, and let it grow, or buy a large plant and divide it as it gets even bigger.

Aloe vera needs a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight, so it’ll grow best in bright spots indoors (especially in the winter) or in a sheltered, sunny part of the garden. It can handle full sun, but it doesn’t need it. You can move the plant outside during summer, just make sure it receives the proper amount of light. 

Aloe vera leaves are long and slightly curved with ragged edges. Inside, you’ll find a clear gel.

Use sharp, clean kitchen scissors or a knife, and cut a bottom leaf from the base of the plant. Place the cut aloe leaf into a small cup or glass, cut end down. You’ll notice a yellow sap seeping out—allow it to drain for 10 minutes before discarding it. 

While not toxic in small quantities, this sap is bitter, has laxative properties, and can cause intestinal discomfort.

Once you get rid of the sap, it’s time to extract the aloe vera gel. Using a clean, sharp knife, trim the fleshy leaf’s top, bottom, and sides, then slice it horizontally, like filleting a fish. With a clean large spoon or a dull knife, gently scrape the mucilaginous gel into a container.

Aloe vera gel is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties.

Aloevera gel is used to treat

Acne

Dandruff

Mosquito bites

It can be also used as moisturiser and sanitizer.

ZIKA VIRUS

At present India slowly returns back to a state of normalcy and the implications of the second wave of coronavirus decreased. On Thursday, Kerala reported 13 cases of mosquito-borne viral infection called Zika virus for the first time.

As per the reports, the first case of Zika virus involves a 24-year-old pregnant woman in Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala. Samples from 13 persons are collected, suspected to be positive for Zika virus, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. 

Zika virus spreads by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The mosquitoes bite both during the day and night. The Aedes mosquito also known as Ae. 

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.

Centre for Disease Control also suggested that people infected with the Zika virus can transmit it to their sex partners.

symptoms of Zika virus are mild. Most common symptoms include fever, rash, headache, red eyes, muscle pain and joint pain.

While the incubation period is said to be between 3–14 days, the symptoms can last for 2–7 days. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals infected with Zika virus do not develop symptoms. The CDC believes that infected people usually don’t get sick enough to be hospitalised and very rarely do they die of Zika.

There is no specific vaccine or medicine for Zika virus, depending on symptoms effected people will be treated with related medication available.

As Zika virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. We should opt clean surroundings, mosquito-ridden areas and avoid mosquito bites using mosquito and insect repellents. Clean the areas that could become a possible hub for mosquito breeding.