Aloe vera is known as the "medicinal
plant". It is a stemless succulent perennial evergreen plant belonging to the
lily family. It is thought to have originated from northern Africa and the
Arabian Peninsula. Today it is widely cultivated in southern Texas, Mexico, and
coastal Venezuela.
DESCRIPTION
The plant has about 15 to 20 succulent leaves
growing in an upright dense rosette. The lanceolate-shaped, gray-greenish
leaves contain irregular white marks. The leaves are thick and fleshy and
measure about 15 to 20 inches in length. The leaf margins contain a row of pale
teeth that are about one tenth of an inch long. Aloe Vera leaves when cut exude
two fluids, with differing effects and properties. The yellow/green sap
predominantly exuded wherever the green surface of the leaf is cut is an irritant.
This contains the latex-like compound, aloin (a bitter, yellow-brown colored
compound). On the other hand, the transparent fluid exuded by the inner leaf
wherever it is cut or crushed, is soothing and said to promote healing. For
successful use of the plant, it is important to ensure that any use employs the
appropriate part or parts to suit the purpose.
NUTRIENTS, VITAMINS & MINERALS
The species
is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. The gel from the inner
core of the Aloe Vera leaf is rich in glucomannans and other polysaccharides.
The plump, spiky leaf of the cactus-like plant contains more than 75 nutrients
and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12
vitamins. In fact, one researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center
described Aloe Vera as "a pharmacy in a plant."Aloe Vera is non-toxic, with no known side
effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing. Many scientific
studies of the use of Aloe Vera have been undertaken; there is some preliminary
evidence that Aloe Vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and
burn healing, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans.
aloe vera
HISTORY
Early
records of Aloe Vera use appear in the Ebers Papyrus from 16th century BCE, in
both Dioscorides' De Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder's Natural History
written in the mid-first century CE along with the Juliana Anicia Codex
produced in 512 CE.
USE OF ALOE
VERA THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Aloe Vera extends one's longevity and is very much esteemed. The pulp is used
extensively in Siddha medicines for treating constipation, enlargement of
spleen, zymotic disease, chengamaari (a type of venereal infection) etc. Aloe Vera has a long association with herbal medicine, although it is not known when
its medical applications were first discovered. The species is used widely in
the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the
United States, Jamaica and India. Aloe Vera is alleged to be effective in
treatment of wounds. Commodity uses Aloe Vera is now widely used on face
tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturizer and/or anti-irritant to reduce
chafing of the nose of users who suffer hay-fever or cold.
