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Introduction:
Aloe vera is the oldest medicinal plant ever known and the most applied medicinal plant worldwide. The first
written records about the use of aloe vera were found on over 6,000 years old clay tablets found in Mesopotamia.
Today also aloe vera is one of the most studied plants worldwide. Actually, there is
hardly any plant that can display such a great variety of scientifically-proven
active pharmaceutical ingredients (about 200) whose unique combinations properties generate a broad spectrum of activity.
Aloe Vera is referred as the ‘Miracle Plant’. From being
an antiseptic, anti- inflammatory and a cure for heart burns to helping relieve
the symptoms of severe illnesses like cancer and diabetes, to being a beauty aid
and health nourisher, this ancient Indian herb has it all. Known for centuries
for its unique medicinal properties, it has been rediscovered, recognized and benefited from in the last few years.
Aloe Vera is as old as civilization and throughout history it has been
used as a popular folk medicine. It is believed to be effective in treating
stomach ailments, gastrointestinal problems, skin diseases, constipation, for
radiation injury, for its anti-inflammatory effect, for wound healing and
burns, as an anti-ulcer and diabetes. It is also known as ‘lily of the desert’, the ‘plant
of immortality’, and the ‘medicine plant’ with qualities to serve as alternate medicine.
Aloe is grown largely in South Texas, USA, Mexico, India, South America, Central America, Australia and Africa.
It is commonly called Miracle plant, Healing plant, Plant of immortality, Fountain of youth. Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and
in pots being highly decorative. Some species, in particular Aloe vera are purported to have
medicinal properties used in alternative medicines and in home first aid.
In homeopathic medicine aloe is used for hemorrhoids. In India Aloe Vera has been referred to as "kumari’ in Ayurvedic treatments.
Some selected number of aloe species valued for their beauty and ornamental value. |
Aloe
vera plant is also known as ‘lily of the desert’, the
‘plant of immortality’, and the ‘medicine plant’ with qualities to serve as alternate
medicine.
Aloe vera is commonly used in many cosmetic products and the rise of natural and
organic beauty may constitute a new opportunity for this plant. |
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Common Name:
Hindi - Ghritkumari (घृत
कुमारी)
English - Aloe ( Barbedolsaloes)
Latin - Aloe Vera ( Aloe barbadensis Mill)
Sanskrit - Kumari
Tamil - Kattalai
Kannada - Kathaligidi
Telgu - Kalabanda
Malayalam- Kattuvala
Marathi - Korafad
Bangla - Kumari
Gujarti - Kunwar
Arabic - Mussavar |
 Stamp
on Ghritkumari (घृत
कुमारी)
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History of Aloe
Ancient records of the Egyptians, Arab, African, Asians and Americans have discussed the different uses and pathological
cases in which Aloes were administered. Aloe was cultivated in Egypt thousands
of years ago and was used by the people of the Mediterranean at least 400 years
before Christ. Aloe is also mentioned in the Bible's New Testament. The Arabs had taken Aloe vera plants to India and the Indian people called it
savari, The Indians also named Aloe Ailwa from which the Greek word alon might have been
derived. Aloe was also mentioned in ancient Chinese transcripts. It was employed medicinally for eczematous skin conditions in China and India under the name
Luhui in China and Musabbar in India. The Greeks knew Aloe through the Indians. The Greek physician Peter Pedanius Dioscoriades wrote about Aloe in his
medicinal plant collection materna medica. Aloe was first illustrated in the Codex Aniciae Julianae which was written around the year 512 A.D. by
Dichotomous. Aloe was also mentioned in the writings of the Latin writer, Aurelius Celsus, who wrote a book about medicine and called it De
Medicina, which appeared for the first time in the year 1378. In America, Aloe was mentioned in Columbus' journals.
Egyptians, who have a long relationship with Aloes, still grow the plants around graveyards to symbolize
the patience which is to be exercised during the long suffering from losing the deceased person. Hindus in North India, practice the tradition of feeding their newborn children a little of Aloe
mixed with honey in a golden spoon. Many of the drugs that contained
Aloes were made as : Hugh's Black Pills, Gloria Pills, Graziona Reducing Treatment, Mother Siegel's Curative Syrup and Tablet-45. |
Aloe vera, use is documented on over 6,000 old clay tablets found in
Mesopotamia
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Aloe Species
Aloe vera belongs to the family Liliacae
and nearly there are about 150 species in Aloe vera. The common varieties are:
Aloe Barbadensis Miller, Aloe Saponaria, Aloe Chinensis, Aloe Variegata, Aloe Forex, Aloe Lalifolia and Curacao Aloe.
Of these the most popular is Aloe Barbadensis Miller which has most therapeutic value and referred to as ‘True Aloe’.
Aloe Plant
Aloe is a stem less or very short-stemmed succulent
plant growing to 80-100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to gray-green, with a serrated
margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2-3 cm long.
Its thick leaves contain the water supply for the plant to survive long periods of drought.
These leaves have a high capacity of retaining the water. When a leaf is cut, a orange yellow sap drips from the open
end which has a very strong laxative effect. When the green skin of a leaf is removed a clear mucilaginous substance
appears that contain fibers, water and the ingredients to retain the water in the leaf. These ingredients give this
"gel" its special qualities as they are known now for many centuries. Among the uses for this gel are acceleration of
wound healing, use on skin burns, moisturizing dry skin and it is taken internally for peptic ulcers or gastritis.
Chemical Constituents:
Aloe contains two classes of Aloins
: (1) nataloins, which yield picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid,
and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2) barbaloins, which
yield aloetic acid (C7H2N3O5), chrysammic acid
(C7H2N2O6), picric and oxalic
acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be
divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbadoes aloes, and reddened in the
cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from Socotrine and Zanzibar aloes, reddened by
ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin
forms bright yellow scales. Barbaloin forms yellow prismatic crystals. Aloes also contain a trace of volatile oil, to which its odour is due. |
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Cultivation
Aloe vera is relatively easy to care for in cultivation in frost-free climates.
The species requires well-drained sandy potting soil in moderate light. If
planted in pot or other containers ensure sufficient drainage with drainage
holes. The use of a good quality commercial potting mix to which extra
perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand are added is recommended. Alternatively,
pre-packaged 'cacti and succulent mixes' may also be used. Potted plants should
be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. During winter,
Aloe may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive
frost or snow the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.
Climate : Aloe is grown in warm tropical areas and cannot survive freezing temperatures.
Soil:
Aloe Vera can be cultivated on any soil for 'dry land management', sandy loamy soil is the best suited for it.
Propagation: Aloe Vera is generally propagated by root suckers by carefully digging out without damaging the parent plant and planting it in the main field. It can also be propagated through rhizome cuttings by digging out the rhizomes after the harvest of the crop and making them into 5-6 cm length cuttings with a minimum of 2-3 nodes on them. Then they are rooted in specially prepared sand beds or containers.
The plant is ready for transplanting after the appearance of the first sprouts. The process of cultivating Aloe Vera
involves the following process:
The ground is to be carefully prepared to keep free from weeds and the soil is ideally kept ideally slightly acidic.
The soil should be supplied supplement in the form of ammonium nitrate every year. The plants are set spaced out by 31 inches in rows and between the rows. At that rate, about 5,000 plants are set per acre. An 8 - 12 inch aloe pop would take about 18 - 24 months to fully mature.
The plants, in a year's time, would bear flowers that are bright yellow in colour. The leaves are 1 to 2 feet long and
are cut without causing damage to the plant, so that it lasts for several years.
YIELD
The crop can be harvested 4 times a year. At the rate of 3
leaves cut from each plant, about 12 leaves are the harvest
per plant per year. On an average, the yield per acre annually is about 60,000 kg.
The leaves cut off close to the plant are placed immediately, with the cut end downwards, in a V-shaped
wooden trough of about 4 feet long and 12 to 18 inches deep.
The wooden trough is set on a sharp incline so that the juice, which trickles from the leaves very rapidly, flows
down its sides, and finally escapes by a hole at its lower end into a vessel placed beneath.
It takes about a quarter of an hour to cut leaves enough to
fill a trough. The troughs are so distributed as to be easily accessible to the cutters.
The leaves are neither infused nor boiled, nor is any use
afterwards made of them except for manure. When the vessels
receiving the juice become filled, the latter is removed to
a cask or reserved for evaporation. This may be done at
once, or it may be delayed for weeks or even months.
The evaporation is generally conducted in a copper vessel;
at the bottom of this is a large ladle, into which the
impurities sink, and are from time to time removed as the boiling goes on.
As soon as the inspissations has reached the proper point,
which is determined solely by the experienced eye of the
workman, the thickened juice is poured into large gourds or
into boxes, and allowed to harden.
Aloe as Medicinal Herb
Aloe vera has been used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts,
burns and eczema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces
inflammation. It has antiseptic and antibiotic properties which make it highly valuable in treating cuts and
abrasions. It has also been commonly used to treat first and second degree
burns, as well as sunburns and poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac
infections, and eczema. It can also be used as a hair styling gel and works
especially well for curly or fuzzy hair. It is also used for
making makeup, moisturisers, soaps, sunscreens, shampoos and lotions. Aloe vera gel is
useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes
and sensitive facial skin. Aloe vera juice may help some people with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
Aloe has been marketed as a remedy for coughs, wounds, ulcers, gastritis,
diabetes, cancer, headaches, arthritis, immune-system deficiencies, and many other conditions when taken internally. However, the
general internal use is as a laxative. The lower leaf of the plant is used for medicinal purpose. If the lower leaf is
sliced open, the gel obtained can be applied on the affected area of the skin. As a medicine it is used as:
Protector of human immune system : The whole leaf extract galvanizes the cells of immune system. The phagocytes increase their scavenging activities, thus cleansing the body and kicking off a whole cascade of
protective actions which strengthen immunity.
Improves digestive system : Aloe juice helps in digestive disorders. Constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome etc are cured by the flushing action. The deposits of toxins and unwante
substances in our diet which keep accumulating in intestines prevent the absorption of essential nutrients
causing nutritional deficiency, lethargy, constipation, lower back ache. Aloe juice helps flush out these residues boosting the digestion and giving a greater feeling of well-being.
In arthritis: Being a stimulant to the immune system, a powerful anti-inflammatory, an analgesic and
able to speed up cell growth, it repairs arthritis
damaged tissue. While conventional allopathic treatment only relieves pain, Aloe helps in repair process by regenerating cells and detoxifying the affected area.
In stress: Aloe Vera juice is just the thing to get our machinery smoothly and effectively going.
In cancer : Aloe juice enables the body to heal itself from cancer and the damage done by radio and chemotherapy which destroy healthy immune cells crucial to the recovery.
In diabetes: It lowers glucose and tri-glyceride levels in diabetic patients. Effects can be seen from the second week of the treatment.
In hepatitis: Extract of aloe juice has been shown to have beneficial effects on liver and alleviate symptoms
considerably in chronic hepatitis patients.
In heart disease: Addition of isabgol and Aloe Vera juice to the diet of patients of angina pectoris, results in marked reduction of serum cholesterol and tri-glycerides and increase in level of HDL.
In AIDS : A daily dose of min. 1200mg. of active ingredients of aloe vera showed substantial improvement in AIDS symptoms. Says Dr. Pulse,
Aloe is to an AIDS patient as insulin is to a diabetic.
In wound and skin disease : Aloe vera gel is excellent for easing first degree burns, relieves
inflammation and accelerates healing. Aloe vera gel has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects and helps heal minor wounds. It lessens painful effects of shingles, reduces symptoms of psoriasis and eases heartburns and ulcers.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Aloe is used as an important Ayurvedic medicines. It is used in
Jaundice - A few drops of aloe juice is installed in the nostrils to control jaundice.
Liver disorders - Aloe juice with turmeric powder should be taken twice a day.
Difficult urination - Continuous diluted aloe juice should be taken time to time to alleviate this condition.
In wounds - Boil aloe leaves and take the fleshy part of the inside of the leaves to use as a poultice over wounds.
As a cosmetic - Aloe is one of the best known moisturizers and used in creams and shampoos.
Some facts about ALOE VERA for Diabetes
Several studies have shown efficacy of Aloe Vera to lower the glucose level of a
person with diabetes. However, Aloe Vera is yet to be proven as an treatment for the disease though it is to some extent administered for type2
diabetes. Despite many research findings prove the efficiency of Aloe Vera for
hypoglycemia treatment; it is still necessary to perform more experiments to
establish the plant’s effectiveness. It may help to lower down the glucose level which is the main cause associated with the disease. Sometimes
administration of Aloe Vera may result in sudden hypoglycemic condition in
patients and more so if taken along with allopathic treatment. It always
advisable to consult your medical practitioner before taking Aloe Vera as a
solo drug in this era of personalize medicine. |
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Aloe Vera products
There is a wide product Range
of Aloe Vera as: Aloe Juice, Aloe Jelly, Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Vera Capsules,
All Purpose Cream, Body Lotion, Body Wash, Tooth Gel, Shaving Gel, Shampoo. Hair Gel,
Aloe Vera Powder, Aloe Oil and Aloe Butter and many more.
Aloe Vera Gel: The Aloe Vera Gel is a colorless, odorless,
hydrocolloid with several natural beneficial substances. The effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel as a cosmetic skin care and pharmaceutical
product is indisputable. The voluminous research shows clearly that the gel
reduces scarring in burns, skin ulcers and other lesions. It has also been shown
to have an invigorating effect on skin when applied on a regular basis. Although
most consumers today use aloe vera as a health-promoting cosmetic and pharmaceutical product, its undeniable healing properties have led medical
researchers and food industry specialists to take a second look at this wondrous
plant as an internal health-aide.
Aloe Vera Gel is produced in several different ways to fit the select needs of
the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturers. Thus, manufacturers who prefer the gel in its natural form can order the pure gel,
while others may require a liquid or powdered concentrate. Aloe vera gel can be used in a wide range of food products. It is presently used
in health drinks, sports beverages, soft drinks, candies and chewing gum. It is even used to prepare a hangover remedy.
Cosmetics: After Sun Soothing Spray or Gel, Moisturizing Suntan Lotions, Low or non alcohol Soothing
Aftershave Lotion, Soothing Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin, Lip Protector, Lipstick, Under Eye Wrinkle Remover Gel, Psoriasis Dry Flaky
Skin Ointment, Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Hair Rinse, Anti-Dandruff after rinse gel
, Diaper Rash Ointment, Hemorrhoid Ointment, Rich Moisturizing Night Cream for Face, Light Moisturizing Lotion for
Face, Hand Lotion, Mouth Rinse for soothing sore and bleeding gums, Soothing
Toothpaste for anti-plaque and sore gums, Aloe Vera Vaginal Douche, Moisturizing Aloe Vera
Spray for Refreshing Face, Aloe Facial Cleanser, Aloe Vera Facial Scrub, etc.
Aloe Vera Powder: Two hundred-fold (200x) powdered concentrate of pure Aloe Vera leaf filets, prepared without
additives of any kind. Suitable for use in health food and beverage
formulations. |
Aloe Vera cream
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera Powder |
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Sarees made from Aloe Vera fibre
Aloe Vera has found its way into cloth. Weavers in Tamil Nadu are
experimenting with it to make colourful sarees. "With the price of yarn increasing, we thought of finding a natural fibre to
make sarees. First, we used banana fibre, and now we have used fibre from the
Aloe Vera plant. Sarees made from Aloe Vera fibre are in demand. Weavers today
are earning well," claimed Sekar, President of the Anakaputhur Jute Weavers
Association. "The Aloe Vera saree is becoming popular here. Earlier, we used to get 100
rupees per day, but now we receive 150 rupees; said a weaver. The sarees are worth Rs. 700 (14dollars) and are available in markets across the state.
Aloe Side Effects
If Aloe Vira is not processed properly it turned out to be poisonous.
Over dose of Aloe can cause diarrhea and kidney damage. People who are on steroids, pills for irregular heart beat, diuretics, digoxin should not use Aloe.
People with intestinal disorders, pregnant and nursing mothers and children below 12 years should not use Aloe. On May 9, 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule
banning the use of aloe and cascara sagrada as laxative ingredients in
over-the-counter drug products. The juice of the leaves of certain species, e.g. Aloe venenosa, is
poisonous.
Economics
Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant and due to its extensive medicinal, nutraceutical and other uses
its enjoy a great demand in the market across the globe. The major markets for Aloe Vera and its extracts are Australia, US and the entire Europe. Given the exponentially growing demand for it in the international market, Aloe Vera presents the finest commercial
opportunity among the various medicinal plants. India is among the few countries gifted with the unique geographical features essential for cultivation of Aloe Vera and other high potential medicinal plants.
The International Aloe Science Council is a non-profit trade organization for the Aloe Vera Industry world-wide. Aloe growers, processors, finished goods, manufactures, marketing companies, insurance companies,
equipment suppliers, printers, sales organizations, physicians, scientists and researchers are all
eligible for and compromise membership. The common bond between the diverse group of individuals and companies is an interest in promoting Aloe Vera use in skin care products, beverages, pharmaceuticals and a wide variety of other products.
Modern Research
Researchers at the University of Miguel Hernández in Alicante, Spain, have
developed a gel based on A. vera that prolongs the conservation of fresh
produce, such as fresh fruit and legumes. This gel is tasteless, colorless and odorless. This natural product is a safe and environmentally friendly
alternative to synthetic preservatives such as sulfur dioxide. The study showed
that grapes at 1°C coated with this gel could be preserved for 35 days against 7 days for untreated grapes. According to the researchers, this gel operates
through a combination of mechanics , forming a protective layer against the oxygen and moisture of the air and inhibiting, through its
various antibiotic and antifungal compounds, the action of micro-organisms that cause foodborne illnesses.
Aloe Vera Symposium, 2010
The Federal Association of German Industrial and Commercial Companies (Bundesverband
deutscher Industrie- und Handelsunternehmen - BDIH), in collaboration with LR
Health & Beauty Systems GmbH and supported by the International Aloe Vera
Science Council (IASC), has organized a one-day symposium dedicated to aloe
vera. The Aloe Vera Symposium took place on the 16th February 2010, on the occasion of
the Nuremberg fair (Congress Centre Nuremberg). Speakers covered a broad
spectrum of issues, from the perspective of medical and natural sciences,
quality assurance, legal affairs, marketing, analytics, natural cosmetics and
food chemistry without forgetting the ethnopharmacological, ethnomedicinal and ritual use of aloe vera.
Devon Powell, The Aloe Vera Symposium, 2010 In an overview of the aloe vera
market, Devon Powell (Executive Director, The International Aloe Science
Council, Inc - IASC) demonstrated the potential for growth of the plant.
Considering trends and prospects he questioned the audience about a possible golden age of aloe
Several speakers detailed the properties of aloe vera, including its ability to
enhance the bioavailability of Vitamin C, E and B12. Michael Peuser
even spoke about empirical experiences: from healing cancer to moisturizing. Dr. Christian Rätsch (ethnopharmacologist) highlighted myths,
legends and lore surrounding aloe vera, and RA Harald Dittmar (M D, BDIH) proposed a review of possible and impossible health claims.
The event has made clear that there is no equivalent option to aloe vera
currently available on the market. Up to now the wide-ranging and scientifically-proven application sprectrum of aloe vera remains unmatched! Aloe
vera is used in the health, food and cosmetic industries and also present the
advantage to be well known. Launching a credible alternative in the current
legal and regulatory context would be a hard challenge.
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