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Article: HEALTH-SENEGAL: AN ANCIENT HERBAL MEDICINE MAKES A COMEBACK
- Article from:
- Inter Press Service English News Wire
- Article date:
- March 5, 2003
- Author:
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DAKAR, Mar. 4 (IPS) -- Long forgotten, Senegalese are slowly
returning to aloe, an ancient herbal medicine, which has been used
in Africa and Asia for more than 6,000 years.
For centuries, local people have called it by different names:
a miracle plant, the fountain of youth and the elixir of life.
While its scientific name is aloe vera, it is commonly known as
aloe. The aloe, measuring 60 to 80 centimeters tall, has shallow
roots and a short stem. The stem carries a bundle of pointed fleshy
green leaves with triangular cross-sections and light yellow spines
along their edges. Its drooping yellow flowers are trumpet-shaped.
Aloes grow naturally in sandy, …