Since time immemorial, aloe has been used for its various medicinal properties. In ancient Egypt the juice of the plant was used for embalming. The juice is also an effective purgative and is also used these days for healing, for x-ray, as well as for general burns. Apart from this, the plant has properties to repel insects and is used to make a transparent substance which is used in miniature paintings. The fibres of the leaves are transformed into cords and nets. Aloe is considered sacred in the Muslim religion and a pilgrim on his return from Mecca will hang an aloe leaf above the entrance of his house. The plant is also widely used for landscaping.

Aloe, the perennial plant, belongs to the lily family. The plant has about 200 different species. Of this, Aloe vera and aloe chinensis are particularly notable for their medicinal use. The plant bears stiff and succulent leaves with spines at the edges. The leaves are mostly found to appear as a cluster at the terminal end of the stem. The flowers appear on an ornamental inflorescence. Though the flower is usually of reddish colour certain species are found to bear yellow, orange or greenish flowers as well.