South African Aloe Powder – Aloe ferox

Aloe ferox is a succulent plant native to the arid regions of southern Africa. Its resin, once used in harsh purgatives, is now confined to specialized uses. The powder form allows for controlled incorporation into specific formulations.

Description

Dark brown to black, very fine powder with a warm, bitter aroma. Easily soluble in hot water or fatty substances, it intensely colors preparations. Strongly bitter taste, typical of concentrated aloe extracts.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Cape aloe, bitter aloe, South African aloe
• Latin name: Aloe ferox
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Part used: Latex (resin) extracted from the leaves
• Form: Powder
• Origin: South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia
• English name: Bitter aloe powder / Cape aloe powder
• German name: Kap-Aloe Pulver
• Name in Spanish: Polvo de aloe del Cabo
• Name in Italian: Polvere di Aloe del Capo
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق ألوة مرة (Mas'houq Alwa Murrah)

Main virtues

Aloe ferox powder is reserved for controlled uses for its stimulating and purifying effects. It is sometimes used in cosmetics in tonic and purifying treatments, or in traditional preparations under medical supervision.

Main constituents

Aloin, aloenin, resins, anthraquinones, polysaccharides, digestive enzymes, bitter compounds.

Use and dosage

• Magistral preparation: tiny dose to be integrated under prescription or specialized formulation.
• Cosmetic: mixed with clay or an oily base for purifying mask (≤ 1%).
• Infusion/decoction: strictly prohibited for self-medication. For pharmaceutical use only.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Regulated product: prohibited for over-the-counter sale for internal use.
• May cause violent laxative effects, cramps and fluid and electrolyte losses.
• Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and weakened people.

History and origin

Traditionally harvested in the semi-arid regions of South Africa, aloe ferox was a staple ingredient in purgatives in classical pharmacopoeia. Its reputation is as ancient as its prudent use.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: airtight jar, away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: opaque bag, tinted bottle or metal box.
• Appearance: Fine, dark brown to black powder.
• Odor: intense, resinous, slightly camphorous.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Southern African and European Pharmacopoeias
• Cape Ethnobotany and Medicinal Traditions
• Old Colonial Pharmacy Forms

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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