Aloe barbadensis

Common Names: Aloe, Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe, Lily of the Desert
Family: Asphodelaceae
Part(s) Used: Inner gel and juice
Taste: Sweet, salty, mildly bitter
Energetics: Cooling, moistening
Actions: Cathartic, vulnerary, demulcent, vermifuge, emmenagogue, emollient
Constituents: Aloins, anthraquinones, resin
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Zodiac: Cancer

Magickal and Ritual Uses: 

Ruled by the Moon and aligned with the element of Water, Aloe is a plant of lunar healing and hydration. Her nectar is cool, clear and soothing. In ritual, Aloe is often called upon for emotional repair and the quiet mending of what the world has scorched. She softens jagged energy and cools internal fire. Keep her near portals, windows, doorways, thresholds to guard the boundary between inner and outer. Anoint your pulse points with her gel during waxing moons to call in nourishment, or bathe wounds (emotional or otherwise) in her light beneath the full moon.

Potions and Brews: 

Aloe’s medicine is most potent when fresh, straight from the leaf, but she can also be taken in capsule form or as a juice preparation. Each method has its own magick.

Fresh Gel (Inner Fillet):
Split open a mature Aloe leaf and scoop out the clear inner gel. This mucilaginous substance can be taken internally in small doses (about 1 teaspoon) for soothing digestive inflammation, dry constipation, ulcers, or general heat in the GI tract. Blend with a little water and a touch of mint or fennel for taste and additional cooling action.

Stir the fresh gel into moon-charged water or herbal teas for emotional hydration and energetic clearing. Speak your intention into the potion, Aloe absorbs it well. Use in ritual drinks during the waxing or full moon to nourish intuition and soften the emotional body.

Juice (Inner Leaf Only):
Available in natural food stores, this diluted form is used for internal support. Always ensure it’s from the inner leaf and not the whole leaf unless specifically working with her laxative effects. Use 1–2 tablespoons in water or tea to cool internal inflammation or dry heat.

Capsules: "00" or "0"   Times a Day: 1x
Best for when you're on the go or need a more potent cathartic. Use one "00" or "0" capsule once per day for 1–2 weeks only. Always pair with a warming carminative herb like ginger or cardamom to reduce cramping and support proper movement.

Lunar Potion Tip:
Steep a tea of lemon balm, oatstraw, and rose, then stir in a spoonful of fresh Aloe gel while the tea is just warm. Use this brew as a gentle emotional reset on Cancer Moons, especially if grief or sensitivity is rising.

Habitat and Botanical Description:

Aloe is native to East and South Africa and has been widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. She thrives in warm, dry climates with sandy, well-drained soil and full sunlight. Aloe is a succulent with thick, fleshy leaves that store water, reflecting her moistening and cooling qualities. The plant’s environment often mirrors her purpose in the body. Just as she grows in sun-baked soil to store water, Aloe teaches us to hold our own inner reservoirs of softness in a hardened world. 

Medicinal Uses:

Aloe vera, with its origins in the Arabian Peninsula, has long been treasured in magickal and medicinal traditions. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans treasured this plant, often referring to it as the "plant of immortality." Ancient healing systems in China and India also revered her soothing, almost mystical properties.

Today, Aloe remains one of the most beloved demulcents in Western herbalism. Demulcents help restore moisture to tissues and soothe mucous membranes from the mouth to the colon. Aloe is especially indicated when the tissue state is dry, irritated, or inflamed. She coats and calms, making her a top ally for ulcers, dry constipation, or internal heat. Aloe can be taken internally to stimulate the bowels, especially in cases of chronic constipation where the stool is dry and impacted. For best results, take at night with a warming herb to prevent cramping, allowing 12 to 18 hours for full effect.

Energetically, Aloe is best suited for vata and pitta constitutions, those who run dry, hot, or overly sensitive. She cools inflammation and nourishes the body with gentle hydration.

Externally, Aloe's gel is a classic remedy for skin issues. Rich in salicylic acid and magnesium, she eases pain, speeds healing, and helps prevent scarring. Her vulnerary, emollient, and anti-inflammatory nature makes her ideal for treating burns, wounds, abrasions, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and fungal infections like ringworm. Aloe is particularly beloved for soothing sunburns and is often found in natural skin care and apothecary remedies.

Astrological and Elemental Influence: 

Her signature is unmistakably lunar. Cool, silver-toned, and drawn inward like a tide. She works beneath the surface, in the watery realms of dreams, memories, and subconscious healing. When placed under Cancer’s watchful stars, Aloe becomes a mirror of mothering: protective, intuitive, and softening.

Beauty and Glamour Magick:

Aloe is a sacred ally in beauty rituals. Her gel soothes redness, hydrates thirsty skin, and promotes elasticity and regeneration. Use her fresh in face masks, mix with honey and rosewater for a cooling treatment, or blend into your creams and lotions. Mix fresh Aloe gel with rosewater and a whisper of honey. As you apply, speak intentions for healing and radiance. Let her teach your skin to drink in love and release old wounds.

Harvesting: 

To harvest Aloe, choose mature plants with thick, unblemished leaves. Look for tips with a rosy hue, an indication of ripeness and stored light. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut a leaf close to the base. Harvest sparingly and allow time between harvests so she can regenerate. 

Once cut, lay the leaf flat and let the yellow latex drain out if not using it for its laxative properties. The clear gel within can be scooped fresh and used immediately. Store in the fridge if needed, and consider adding a touch of vitamin C to extend shelf life.

Avoid harvesting young or tender leaves, and never take more than she can spare. 

Recommended Products:

• Witch in the Woods Hydrating Face Cream
• Witch in the Woods Botanical Facial Toner

Contraindications: