In an era where more and more people are turning towards natural remedies, the natural Cape Aloe ferox from South Africa is building up its’ name as one of the top natural remedies for a variety of skin conditions and various medical ailments. Testimonies stream in every day from grateful users telling the manufacturers of how the products have helped them with a variety of complaints from arthritis, skin cancer, burns, eczema, psoriasis, digestive problems,enlarge prostate, blood pressure problems and many more. Some of these testimonies are so miraculous that one can only shake your head and yet the healing properties of the humble aloe have been known for many years. Aloe is mentioned in the Bible as a healing herb and it is known that the ancient Mesopotamians used the sap from aloes against skin infection. Spanish Explorers kept the cut leaves on board of their ships for burns and cuts. After the Atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War 2, a South African aloe was used on large scale for the healing of burns and wounds by the Japanese.

One of the most wonderful things about the Aloe Ferox aloe is that it is harvested directly from the wild in its natural state. This ensures that plants have not been treated with pesticides, fertilizers or any chemical additives and are absolutely pure and organically grown. There is more than enough of this renewable resource to ensure that it does not need to be cultivated. It is a robust aloe that grows to over 2m high. Seven to eight leaves are harvested from the bottom of each plant each year without damaging the growth tip of this spiky, succulent plant. This harvesting method has the advantage that harvesting can be done in the wild without doing any damage to the plants.

These harvested leaves are then packed in a circle around a plastic-lined hollow in the ground to allow the dark bitter sap to tap naturally from between the green peel and white jelly of the leaf in an age old method. This bitter substance is slowly boiled and reduced, so that it hardens to a crystal when cooled. Traditionally the bitters are used for its laxative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. The rest of the leaf is then taken back to the factory and processed into juice and jelly which is used in a wide variety of creams, lotions, health and beauty products. The affordability of the beauty range together with the wonderful anti-aging qualities of the aloe have made this into a rapidly expanding industry.

14 Years ago, the factory was started as a small family business by Sampie and Leah Coetzee. Due to the wonderful results with the products the business grew rapidly and the demand for the product was so overwhelming that they had to call in more family members to join the company.

All manufacturing and product development is done on the premises of the factory in Albertinia. Today Aloe Ferox has over 1000 agents worldwide. Modern machinery is used for manufacturing their wide range of high quality products and yet they have managed to retain the feeling of a friendly, family-owned business.

The ALOE FEROX factory has become a well-known stop for tour groups traveling up the Garden Route on South Africa's east coast. They welcome visits from tour groups or individuals to the factory where a demonstration of the harvesting process will be given and product information supplied by friendly, well-trained staff. You will even be treated to a taste of aloe tea. End

Why would people go to the trouble of getting wellness and skincare products all the way from South Africa? When asked the most frequent response has been –“because it works…it is the best herbal product I have ever used.”

Personally, if you are one who prefers ”natural” to “chemical” I don’t think there’s a better choice to be made than…Aloe Ferox!