Aloe and aloe Vera are both names of green plants, green parts specifically. Despite both being plant, they have many distinctions among them but also stand with some of the similarities. In plants, there is a study that is named taxonomy. Taxonomy is basically a hierarchy that specifies the ranking of living organisms from general ones to specific ones.
The very significant difference between aloe and aloe vera is their ranking in the taxonomy classification. The aloe vera is the species that belong to the genus of aloe. So basically, aloe vera is a part of the aloe genus. Aloe is used as a traditional medicine in many countries across the world, and Aloe vera is also used as a medicine but for only skin purposes.
Aloe vs Aloe Vera
The main difference between aloe and aloe vera is that aloe vera is a specific species while aloe is the genus of it. As a gene, aloe has about 400 different species in it, and aloe vera is only one of those. The classification of aloe and aloe vera in the taxonomy is another difference between the two. Aloe is used as a traditional medicine in many countries across the world, and Aloe vera is also used as a medicine but for only skin purposes.
The aloe is mostly oriented and based on the medications and other related facilities. In the ancient Greek countries, aloe and many of its species are used as medicinal and relief herbs. These species include- aloe vera, aloe perry, and Aloe Ferox. The reason and behind the curing ability of aloe is that it has salicylic acid, which is a soothing skin component.
Aloe vera, being species, is the most popular and most commonly used species of aloe. It is majorly used as an ingredient in many routines like skincare and even for hair care remedies. In fact, the seeds of aloe vera are used as biofuel. As an ingredient, it is used in skin care creams, face wash, and moisturizers because of its anti-irritant feature. It is also a very common ingredient in makeup, soaps, tissues, and other cosmetic items as it is very healthy for the skin.
Comparison Table Between Aloe and Aloe Vera
| Parameters of Comparison | Aloe | Aloe Vera |
| Meaning | Aloe is a genus. | Aloe vera is one of the species of aloe. |
| Scientific classification | Aloe is ranked as one of the genera in the taxonomy. | Aloe vera is ranked as species. |
| Number of species | Aloe is a genus that has about 400 species in it. | Aloe vera is one of the species in those 400 species of aloe. |
| Medicine oriented | Aloe is used as traditional medicine in many countries across the world. | Aloe vers is also used as a medicine but for only skin purposes. |
| Ranking | Aloe is ranked higher. | Aloe vera is ranked lower than aloe. |
What is Aloe?
The aloe species are mostly oriented to medical attributes. In the ancient Greek countries, aloe and many of its species are used as medicinal and relief herbs. These species include- aloe vera, aloe perry, and Aloe Ferox. As described earlier, aloe has many species. In fact, many species of aloe occur in some part of North Africa naturally.
The aloe has the ability to cure any skin infection like- burn, insect bites, itchy skin, or any other skin-related problem. The reason and behind the curing ability of aloe is that it has salicylic acid, which is a soothing skin component. For many years, aloe is used as a traditional herb in many countries like Russia, India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United States, and Jamaica. The aloe is also used for decoration indoors and outdoor too.
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera being species, is the most popular and most commonly used species of aloe. It is majorly used as an ingredient in many routines like skincare and even for hair care remedies. In fact, the seeds of aloe vera are used as biofuel. As an ingredient, it is used in skin care creams, face wash, and moisturizers because of its anti-irritant feature.
Because of its gelling properties, aloe vera is also a food ingredient and is used as a laxative. It also very common in juice form because of its healing purpose. It is also a very common ingredient in makeup, soaps, tissues, and other cosmetic items as it is very healthy for the skin. After the removal of a substance called aloin from aloe vera, it is highly non-toxic and has zero side effects.
Aloe Vera is also described as a wonder plant because of its so many healthy uses and the fact that as a plant, it does not require much care. The main reason why aloe vera is so popular today is that it has been used for centuries in many countries and now is the most commonly used plant as a natural cure.
Main Differences Between Aloe and Aloe Vera
- The main difference between aloe and aloe vera is their ranking in the taxonomy as the scientific classifications.
- While ranking, aloe stands with a higher ranking while aloe vera is ranked lower.
- Aloe is a genus that has many different species, while aloe vera is one of those species.
- In total, aloe has about 400 species in it, while Aloe vera is one of the species in those 400 species of aloe.
- Aloe is used as traditional medicine in many countries across the world, and Aloe vera is also used as a medicine but for only skin purposes.
Conclusion
It is to be concluded now that both the plants have their own uses and benefits. Both of them have their own place in the hierarchy of taxonomy. Taxonomy is basically a hierarchy that specifies the ranking of living organisms from general ones to specific ones. Despite both being plants, they have many distinctions among them but also stand with some similarities. In plants, there is a study that is named taxonomy.
Both of the plants are widely used as medicinal herbs in many countries and even as other ingredients in cosmetic items and as a food ingredient too.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019096228870095X
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=rn0QjO7FYEYC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=what+is+aloe+genus&ots=0ROAik7M76&sig=0brtnpQdGlSyrDOSLwv1IFB7IZw