Aloe Vera, The Ancients & Cleopatra, Some History & an Ancient Recipe

    (photo credit: listentoreason)

   There is a lot to be said about Aloe Vera.  Books, research papers and writings abound on this subject. Below is an excerpt from a book on the subject of Aloe Vera giving some history as to how far back writings exist on this subject; and an ancient recipe said to be from the days of Cleopatra.

     No one can say for certain how long aloe vera has been known as a medicinal plant.  One of the earliest recorded pharmaceutical uses of it can be found on a Sumerian clay tablet dating from 2100 BC but there are reports of drawings of the plant on Ancient Egyptian temple walls from as early as 4000 BC.  It has been surrounded by myth and legend for so long that in some early cultures it acquired almost godlike status, being venerated for its healing properties.

     Whatever the truth about its first recorded use, there is absolutely no doubt - it is well chronicled - that aloe vera played a significant and important role in the pharmacology of many early civilizations from the time of Christ onwards.  There is considerable and undeniable evidence of the use of the plant as a wide-spectrum healing agent in places as far apart as Southern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, the Far East and the Americas.

     One of the most detailed early accounts appears in the Egyptian 'Papyrus Ebers', written around 1550 BC.  This documented a number of formulae for the use of aloe (mixed with other natural products) in the treatment of various internal and external disorders.

     The early Egyptians revered aloe and called it the 'Plant of Immortality'.  This may account for stories of its use in the embalming process (a procedure which apparently continues to baffle experts to this day) and for its importance in the burial rites of the Pharaohs, as well as for the tales of its use by the two Egyptian Queens, Nefertiti and Cleopatra.  They were both renowned for their beauty and were said to bathe in its juices.  Cleopatra's handmaiden is also said to have mixed it into skin lotions to enhance her mistress's loveliness. (1)

     I stumbled across a book containing many ancient home made skin care recipes said to be from the days of Cleopatra.  In this book, there are several recipes for different skin types; as well as ones for toning the skin, for reducing wrinkles for oily skin, for dry skin and so much more.  I want to share this one first along with some sensible tips....we are going to start with one containing tomatoes!

     Tomatoes are widely used in cosmetics.  Vitamin A, B, & C that are contained in tomatoes, soften and refresh skin.  Organic acids have a cleansing effect and help to rapidly regenerate the skin cells.  Tomatoes are used to heal burns.  Tomato juice is used for the effective removal of make-up.

     TOMATO MASK - Ingredients: 1 Tbs of mashed tomato (without the skin), 1/2 an egg yolk, 1/2 Tbs of wheat flour.  Mix ingredients and smooth over face and throat.  Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water first, then cold water.

     SOME TIPS:  Before applying a mask, rinse skin with warm water.  If desired rub the skin with herb, vegetable or fruit extracts.  Apply a thin layer of a nourishing cream under the eyes.  Apply the mask on face and resume a horizontal position.  If possible, avoid talking.  The facial muscles should remain relaxed.  After cleansing procedures, apply a warm or extract compress.  This is helpful for making skin more receptive to the healing elements contained in the masks. (2)

     Finish your treatment with InfiniteAloe Skin Care or NanoVera Intensive Skin Therapy within three minutes of your warm or extract compress.

     Have fun!
     Ella

Footnotes:
(1)  Book:  Aloe Vera Nature's Legendary Healer by Alasdair Barcroft
(2)  Book:  Recipes of Cleopatra by Anahit Kazanjian