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LOCAL Monday 2 June 2025

Aruba: The island of Aloes

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

Aruba to me

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