Also called "ground ivy" , "Gill-over-the-ground" or "Gill o'er-the-ground" This little plant can be a neusance, but it is sort of attractive. Especially so since it comes up quite early in our area when you are really hoping for a bit of color no matter how small! It has small "ruffely", round kidney shaped , dark green, a bit hairy leaves growing opposit each other on a square stem. At the base of the leaves, tiny deep throated purple or blue blooms appear that, to me, resemble tiny sweet pea blooms.
The plant is a perennial and also reseeds itself readily. Breaking up the roots, like some grasses, make it spread more rapidly. Like I say, it can get to be a neusance.
The scent is a bit strong and on the bitter side, kind of like camphor. They bloom in late spring and can be dried for use as a spring tonic. Said to be helpful to treat symptoms of colds, pain associated with PMS and kidney irritations. Usually about a cup of the tea taken 3 times a day is said to be effective. Don't continue any treatment indefinitely, however. If problems persist over a couple of days, you may need to consult a professional practitioner.
I find myself quite confused, however, as I, having heard that this plant was also called Hen-bit, looked up Hen=bit and found several articals and photoes of Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) noted as a mint cousin common in gardens in the eastern half of the United States and a number of photoes, some exactly like Ale-hoof.
Also, in Missouri and Texas, many people see ground ivey as little plant growing similiarly to above plants but with shiney round, beautifully green leaves, generally low and growing in cool damp areas. It, too,is very invsive and usually not wanted,even though it is quite pretty.
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This pic is from a scan of the actual plant.
Aloe is one of the sturdiest plants I have ever
grown indoors. The type that grows in the desserts, say
of New Mexico, are left out all season, but the more tender
ones that we get at the nursery can only go outside in
warm weather in an area where it will not get direct sun.
Grows about 2 - 3 feet tall with thick succulent,
prickly edged leaves growing upwards and outwards to a thin
point. A light green with white spots, it may, one day,
surprize you by shooting up a stalk with tiny hanging orange-red or
white blooms.
There are a number of varieties. Those that grow outside in
New Mexico, for instance, are a lot rougher and tougher than
the ones we grow in the kitchen window-sil or solarium. Mine
have only grown about 2 feet tall at their best. Some time back,
they had out-grown the container and one day they just simply
fell out all over the floor. Have you ever tried to give away
plants when you have already given everyone you know what ever
starts they wanted!? Thank Heavens I had one fairly new neighbor
who could still use an aloe!
It's heart-breaking to throw perfectly good plants on the
compost heap. \: (
People who have Aloes are probably not taking advantage of
its many diversities, and it probably deserves more use. It
can be used for epidermal (skin) problems, chafes, cuts, abrasions
or scratches and burns. When suffering a burn, I first apply ice,
then smooth Aloe Vera juice/jelly on the burn. I rub it on my hands when
they are chafed or irritated from any reason. When my daughter
suffered a bad sunburn, we took a leaf, broke it and gently smoothed
the juice over the burned areas. It was instantly soothing and the
skin did not blister where it was applied. Don't take any chances,
though, on a severe burn..consult a physician and do not put anything greasy on it. I put ice immediately on a burn to stop the heat from penetrating any further, and this keeps it clean for the doctor if needed.
About the best use I have had recently for the jelly of Aloe is
to control Poison Ivy rash. Until about 1992 or 3, I could roll in
Poison Ivy or Oak and no problem. Now it seems my imune system is a bit over-
active and rushes to the rescue. Through a lot of experimenting, I find
that the minute I note a blister, no matter how small, I break a piece
of Aloe, break the blister and rub the Aloe into it and then lay the
skin of the Aloe with the jelly part next to the rash and keep it on
as long as it will cohese. Usually it will clear up pretty quickly. So many times we ignore the warnings until we have really got a case of it. In that case, rubbing baking soda into the blisters will help the itching and dry them out. I also supplement the baking soda with the Aloe jelly, taking turns.
Aloe is said to be a good eye wash used in boiled and cooled water.
Use the larger outer leaves because they have more juice and also
to protect the plants's shape.
Research has indicated that this plant is effective for all of the
above. It is a marvelous plant and deserves a place in your home or
garden. DO NOT TAKE ALOE INTERNALLY. IT IS KNOWN TO BE A STOMACH
IRRITANT. I know that a lot of people drink Aloe juice and some say it
can be used in tea. See below. I'll take Mr. Rodale's advice on this.
During the big promotions in the '80's with home parties, commercials
on TV and various other advertising media, it was claimed that Aloe
juice was highly beneficial to one's health if several ounces were
taken daily. I went to a friend's party, and I bought some. When I
thought of it, I would take a bit of the juice with a glass of orange
juice. I began to have stomach cramps. Some people may be able to
take it but I quit.
Later I found, according to Dr. Rodale in his beautifully informative
book 'Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs', that its use as a
LAXATIVE has been discarded for human beings as it can cause severe
stomach pain. I had long ago decided if I wanted to be good to myself,
I'd have a glass of carrot juice instead!
It is important to use the jelly when it is fresh as scientists
think that it looses its capabilities when not fresh. It is doubtful
if any of the prepared and shelved commercial cosmetics with Aloe have
any effect other than what is offered by the other emollients and
medications they contain.
Aloe Vera has other names, simply 'Aloes', Curacao Aloe and
Barbados Aloe. It is, surprisingly enough, a child of the Lily family,
Liliaceae. It is thought to have originated on the Cape Verde Islands.
It appeared in Egypt and the Mediterranean countries well before
Christ and was well established as a 'physic' before Plyny the Elder
wrote his 'Natural History' during the first years of Christ.
As an indoor plant, some specie do quite well. It needs plenty of light but
but not direct sun. (I am referring to the ones that are grown in the
central states and probably the Eastern and Northern, the types
purchased at the neighborhood nursery that are quite succulent and do
not do well with strong direct sun. )
It doesn't like being kept too wet, but wants enough water to keep
its leaves full. Mine have rotted when I tried automatic watering with
a wick. My Aloe has survived the most pitiful neglect for over 25 years
I've had it. I am prone to neglect it when I get busy with too many
other interests. It has gone from one tiny little nursery plant back
in 1972 to a whole forest of succulent plants, back down to just a few
scrawny pathetics these past years. It survives in spite of me. I
really don't deserve this steadfast little plant.
I've been told one can propagate Aloe from seed, but it is slow.
I pull one of the 'babies' off of the larger plant, allow the break to heal, then place it in a pot of sandy loam with good drainage, and let it take root. When it seems to have rooted, water it throughly and then leave it alone until the soil had dried out again before watering again.
Most any neighbor can give you a start, but if you go to
the nursery, note that the Botanical name is ALOE VERA.
A small
bit of Artemisia 16 K