Page 11 - AHATA
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a8 local
Friday 1 august 2025
Aruba: The island of Aloes
ORANJESTAD – Aloe vera, a
succulent plant species, is
renowned for its incredible
properties for the skin. It is
widely distributed and usu-
ally grows in tropical, semi-
tropical and arid climates
on the planet. But this plant
also had a very prominent
role in the history of Aruba,
and its significance to the
island’s economy endures oil industry arrived on Aru-
to this day. ba, it changed the labor
market on Aruba, shifting
The leaves of Aloe vera away from agriculture. It
contain a good amount of Van Raders introduced the would be after World War
gel which when used topi- plant after it had been in- II that aloe would make a
cally, is great for the skin. troduced in other islands of comeback. And eventu-
Traditionally, Arubans use the Caribbean to cultivate ally, as science learned
this gel to treat minor burns and harvest the aloe to about the amazing proper-
and other skin ailments, produce the laxative. ties of aloe gel, the indus-
or just to keep skin supple try shifted from producing
and looking bright and Around 1920, about two- laxative to producing skin
nourished. Aside from the thirds of Aruba was aloe care. An interesting fact is
gel, aloe contains a bitter, fields, earning our island that in 1951, the production
yellow substance (called the nickname “The Island of Aruban aloe amounted
aloin) which is a gentle but of Aloes.” to around 30 percent of the
powerful laxative, and it is total global production!
also the origin of the indus- Under Commander Jan
try of aloe in Aruba. Helenus Ferguson (1866- The impact and relevance
1871), aloe experienced a of aloe is visible all around
History reveals that Aloe boom, which is why there Aruba. While most homes
vera was introduced in is a road named after him, will have a few plants for
Aruba around 1840, when which goes through the personal use and decora-
most of the island’s inhab- aloe fields. In the 19th cen- tion, houses are also deco-
itants were farmers of little tury, Aruba was the main rated with aloe motifs, and
means. Dutch Governor supplier of aloin for laxa- at some point, aloe even
featured on post stamps.
Around 1920, about two-
thirds of Aruba was aloe
fields, earning our island the
nickname “The Island of Al-
oes.” And in 1955, the aloe
became a part of Aruba’s
tive, which was imported more expensive, which coat of arms, symbolizing
abroad to the United States meant that at the time, it prosperity for the island. q
and Europe. The aloin from had significant economic
Aruba and Curaçao was impact, particularly for the Images from the archive
known to be one of the local farmers. of the National Library of
best in the world and was However, by the time the Aruba.
Aruba to me
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