RE: Aloes are the colourful succulents.
The “true” medicinal aloe from ancient times is Aloe vera, a yellow-flowered Arabian aloe which only exists in cultivation, and can only be grown true from offsets. This plant was formerly known as Aloe barbadensis.
It is generally unspotted, clumps freely, and reaches a larger size than the other common medicinal aloe in cultivation, Aloe officinalis (formerly known as Aloe vera chinensis), which can usually be distinguished by orange or coral flowers. Aloe vera gel is used for the topical relief of skin ailments, while Aloe officinalis is said to have benefits when consumed. In addition, Aloe ferox juice extract is promoted for various uses including as a laxative. Do not consume any aloe you cannot definitively identify as medicinal, which usually requires seeing the flowers. This is a diverse genus of many non-medicinal plants and even a few poisonous ones.
