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LOCAL Monday 28 october 2024

Aruba: The island of Aloes

also the origin of the indus-
try of aloe in Aruba.

According to the website
of Royal Aruba Aloe, Aloe
vera was introduced in
Aruba around 1840, when
most of the island’s inhab-
itants were farmers of little
means. Dutch Governor
Van Raders introduced the
plant after it had been in-
troduced in other islands of
the Caribbean to cultivate
and harvest the aloe to
ORANJESTAD – Aloe vera, a The leaves of Aloe vera produce the laxative. impact, particularly for the personal use and decora-
succulent plant species, is contain a good amount of local farmers. tion, houses are also deco-
renowned for its incredible gel which when used topi- Around 1920, about two- rated with aloe motifs, and
properties for the skin. It is cally, is great for the skin. thirds of Aruba was aloe However, by the time the at some point, aloe even
widely distributed and usu- Traditionally, Arubans use fields, earning our island oil industry arrived on Aru- featured on post stamps.
ally grows in tropical, semi- this gel to treat minor burns the nickname “The Island ba, it changed the labor Around 1920, about two-
tropical and arid climates and other skin ailments, of Aloes.” market on Aruba, shifting thirds of Aruba was aloe
on the planet. But this plant or just to keep skin supple away from agriculture. It fields, earning our island the
also had a very prominent and looking bright and Under Commander Jan would be after World War nickname “The Island of Al-
role in the history of Aruba, nourished. Aside from the Helenus Ferguson (1866- II that aloe would make a oes.” And in 1955, the aloe
and its significance to the gel, aloe contains a bitter, 1871), aloe experienced a comeback. And eventu- became a part of Aruba’s
island’s economy endures yellow substance (called boom, which is why there ally, as science learned coat of arms, symbolizing
to this day. aloin) which is a gentle but is a road named after him, about the amazing proper- prosperity for the island.q
powerful laxative, and it is which goes through the ties of aloe gel, the indus-
aloe fields. In the 19th cen- try shifted from producing Images from the archive of
tury, Aruba was the main laxative to producing skin the National Library of Aruba.
supplier of aloin for laxa- care. An interesting fact is
tive, which was imported that in 1951, the production
abroad to the United States of Aruban aloe amounted
and Europe. The aloin from to around 30 percent of the
Aruba and Curaçao was total global production!
known to be one of the
best in the world and was The impact and relevance
more expensive, which of aloe is visible all around
meant that at the time, it Aruba. While most homes
had significant economic will have a few plants for

Aruba to me

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