Aloe vera has been used in wound healing for thousands of years. The Egyptians used it in 1,500BC for skin problems and infections and the Greeks for external wounds, haemorrhoids, ulcers and hair loss.

The plant has thick fleshy leaves that contain a clear gel, and is easy to grow indoors.

How it works:
When taken internally, Aloe Vera has a cleansing effect on the body, by virtue of its action on the digestive tract. This makes it useful for a number of skin conditions, especially psoriasis, where the process of internal detoxification is deemed by naturopaths to be important.

Aloe vera can also have a laxative effect.