Aloe vera ? What is it good for?

Instantly recognizable by its spiky green leaves, aloe vera is a succulent plant that stores water in its fleshy leaves and thus thrives in arid climates like deserts. Its use as a medicinal plant for soothing various external and internal woes dates back thousands of years. Currently, there?s some evidence to support its use for many of the ailments it?s traditionally been used to treat. Both the aloe gel and the aloe latex (the yellow juice that lines the aloe leaf) from the plant have been used for various conditions, and it can be used topically as a gel or taken orally. Though generally considered to be safe, it may not be appropriate for everyone (more on this in a bit).