President, Ellen Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting. The speaker for the evening was Chris Goldborough,a member giving them the history of Aloe Vera.

Chris got involved with Aloe Vera due to family illness and has now been involved for 27 years, using the plant in many of its forms.

The Aloe Vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin properties, and reported to have been used by Cleopatra and Nefertiti among many others. The name Aloe derives from the Arabic word Alloeh meaning “a shining bitter substance,” vera in Latin means “true.” The Egyptians called Aloe the plant of immortality. It grows mainly in the dry Regions of Africa, Asia Europe, America, and India, liking dry warm days and cooler nights. There are 500 species of Aloe plants but the gel from the leaf of the Aloe vera is the one used.

Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, its benefits can include reducing dental plaque, accelerating wound healing, preventing wrinkles, and managing blood sugar.

Aloe Vera contains 75 potentially active constituents, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars being among them. It has great healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has been found to have an effect on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation.

The gel is extracted from the leaf of the plant and used in skin care, digestive remedies and increasingly in anything from dishwashing liquid to yoghurt.

The estimated worldwide annual market value for Aloe Vera products is around £13 billion.

Chris had brought along a range of Aloe Vera products, including flavoured drinks, which members were invited to try. It was a great evening most informative and thought provoking, and members ordered many of the Aloe vera products available.

Their next meeting is March 17th when they will be celebrating Celtic music.