aloe vera in the wild

[Lizlibra5]

hi, I'm walking the CF for the first time in April. I am a great believer in using Aloe Vera (from the plant, not from a jar) for skin issues... It's great for healing blisters and keeping skin in good condition. I have read that Aloe Vera is native to Spain, and I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is AV growing wild along the way, or if I need to bring a jar from my own plants... (coming from Oz not sure about the legality of this?) Not keen on bottled aloe vera but if worse comes to worse....
So excited!!!
love the forum by the way... so many wonderful people with such wonderful attitudes!
love to all
Liz

 

[Anniesantiago]

Better bring a jar. I don't remember seeing any aloe vera, but if there was and if every pilgrim picked a little, it would soon be gone?

 

[Lizlibra5]

Better bring a jar. I don't remember seeing any aloe vera, but if there was and if every pilgrim picked a little, it would soon be gone?

that's true... never thought of that!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

And the not picking plants goes for other plants, not just Aloe Vera, in fact you sometimes see signs asking people not to do that because it helps moving parasites, desease, etc., much faster.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I never saw any on the trail as well, I paid close attention to the vegetation just my interest.. You can find just about everything you need in the towns along the way. Just not in small sizes.

 

[Lizlibra5]

oh well, looks like it's a jar of home grown... extra weight ugh! lol
yep, I like to check out the local flora too.... love the way herbs grow wild in Spain that you have to cultivate here in Australia...

 

[Anemone del Camino]

oh well, looks like it's a jar of home grown... extra weight ugh! lol
yep, I like to check out the local flora too.... love the way herbs grow wild in Spain that you have to cultivate here in Australia...

Before your bring plant matter into Europe you may want to read up on the laws....

 

[Lizlibra5]

Before your bring plant matter into Europe you may want to read up on the laws....

was thinking a jar of aloe gel... should be ok?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

was thinking a jar of aloe gel... should be ok?

Yes, that should be. I was thinking you wanted to bring leaves from home.

 

[Lizlibra5]

Yes, that should be. I was thinking you wanted to bring leaves from home.

Leaves would be great but not practical.

 

[movinmaggie]

hi, I'm walking the CF for the first time in April. I am a great believer in using Aloe Vera (from the plant, not from a jar) for skin issues... It's great for healing blisters and keeping skin in good condition. I have read that Aloe Vera is native to Spain, and I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is AV growing wild along the way, or if I need to bring a jar from my own plants... (coming from Oz not sure about the legality of this?) Not keen on bottled aloe vera but if worse comes to worse....
So excited!!!
love the forum by the way... so many wonderful people with such wonderful attitudes!
love to all
Liz

Not sure I would be disturbing the local flora; better to take your own. Buen Camino.

 

[SeaHorse]

Healing with plants is my hobby, my grandma taught me how and I certainly pay attention to plants along the way. Although there was amazing variety and plenty of medical herbs, I didn't see any Aloe Vera, and that is rather big plant, would be noticeable.

 

[James R B]

My Grandmother was a firm believer of Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel too.If it was good enough for her,it's good enough for me.

 

[Anniesantiago]

<----- did pick chanterelles one year. Locals were also picking them.

They were lovely!

 

[wayfarer]

Aloe Vera is much more prevalent in the Mediterranean areas of Spain, I did not see any along the Camino.

 

[Ekelund]

I have seen Aloe Vera plants in Garden shops and markets in Spain. You could buy one and use the plant along the way. Maybe the branches (what are they called, the long sticky things) would survive wrapped up in your backpack?

 

[annakappa]

Yes, it exists in Spain - I was first introduced to using it for blisters just outside Leon.
The hospitalera cut a leaf from her garden and gave me a piece, wrapped in a piece of aliminium foil.
We have Aloa Vera in our garden and I'm now an enthusiastic believer of its properties. For the Camino, I bring a very small tube of pure Aloa gel with me.