CHAPTER 7
Aloe vera: Ayurveda Herb with Multiple Benefits

Ask me what were the secret forces which sustained me during my long fasts. Well, it was my unshakable faith in God, my simple and frugal Lifestyle, and the Aloe whose benefits I discovered upon my arrival in South Africa at the end of the 19th century.

Mahatma Gandhi

Aloe vera word is originated from Arabic word Aloeh means shining bitter substance and the vera is a Latin word means True, so meaning is True Aloe. It is one of the oldest known medicinal plant. The semi-tropical plant, Aloe vera, has a long and illustrious history dating back to pre-biblical times. It was originally plant indigenous to South-Central Africa. Aloe vera is slimy and mucoid by nature, and cold in action. It is bitter in taste and has a pungent after taste. Therefore in Ayurveda it is believed to subside the vitiated pitta and kapha doshas. The Indian name for Aloe vera is kumari (sanskrit) meaning young maiden, which shows its affinity for the female menstrual cycle and its rejuvenative powers for maintaining youthfulness. Some other synonyms as in Ayurveda text are Ghritakumari (the fleshly pulp inside the leaves of the herb resembles ghee) and Grihakanya. Aloe is a succulent plant widely used in alternative medicine. Aloe is big genus which includes at least 420 different plant species. Aloe vera specifically refers to the Aloe barbadensis Miller plant, which is the most common species used in Aloe-based products. Although it is a cactus type plant, it is not cactus. It is a member of liliaceae family. Its closely related member of liliaceae family are onion, garlic, tulip etc. 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. The general public and more and more doctors, therapists and other health professionals all over the world are realizing that aloe vera can make a significant and powerful contribution to the improved health and general well-being of millions of people.

1. Nomencature

Family – Liliaceae, Agavaceae

Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Sanskrit Name: Kumari

English Name: Aloe vera, Indian aloe

Common Name: Kumarpadhu, Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe

True aloe, West Indian aloe etc.

2. Bio energies

Rasa: Tikta, Madhura

Guna: Guru, Snigdha,

Virya: Shita

Vipica: Katu

3. Biomedical Properties

Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti- parasite.

Habitat

Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species aloe vera is very popular as a medicinal plant with wide spread use both externally and internally against number of diseases. Because of its succulent character, the aloe plant survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for low water-use gardens. The species is hardy in nature and can survive almost in dry state, but it can not tolerate very heavy frost or snow. The species exhibits relatively resistant to most insect pests, viz; spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health. In pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions; however, Aloe plants can burn under too much sun or shrivel when the pot does not drain the rain. The use of a good-quality commercial propagation mixture is recommended, as they allow good drainage. Terra cotta pots or earthern pots are preferable as they are porous. In areas that receive frost or snow, the plant is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses. Large-scale agricultural production of Aloe vera is undertaken in India, Australia, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, Jamaica, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, along with the USA to supply the medicine and cosmetics industry with Aloe vera gel.

Botanical Characters

Aloe vera is a stem less or very short-stemmed succulent plant, grows to a height of 60–100 cm (24–39 in), spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick, fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. Leaves grow from the base in rosette pattern. Generally each plant has 12 -16 leaves. The plant canbe harvested at an interval of 6 to 8 weeks by removing 3 to 4 leaves per plant. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long. Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza which help to draw nutrients and moisture. Aloe vera is a succulent plant species that is found only in cultivation, having no naturally occurring wild populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa. Extracts from A. vera are widely used in the cosmetics and alternative medicine industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing, or soothing properties.

Aloe vera Plant

Chemical Constituents

Aloe vera leaves contain around 75 phytochemicals such as anthraquinones, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, hormones etc. Anthraquinones are phenolic compounds commonly known for their laxative action. Aloin and emodin both are antraquinines act as analgesics, anti-bacterial and anti-virals. It contains 4 fatty acids. They possess analgesic and antiseptic properties. It also contain auxins and gibberellins hormones that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action. It also provide vitamin A, E, C, which are known antioxidants. It also provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants. It provides sugars like glucose, fructose and polysaccharides. Aloe vera leaves contains 20 of the 22 amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. In addition the plant produces at least six antiseptic agents such as lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamon acid, phenols and sulphur. All of these substances are recognized as antiseptics because they kill or control mold, bacteria, fungi and viruses, explaining why aloe vera has the ability to eliminate many internal and external pathogens. That is why these are highly effective in treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes, abrasions, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acid indigestion, ulcers, plus many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system and other internal organs, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, kidney and pancreas. β-sitosterol is also a powerful anti-cholestromatic which help to lower harmful cholesterol levels, thus helping the heart patients. About 23 polypeptides are present in Aloe juice which helps to control a broad spectrum of immune system diseases and disorders. The polypeptides plus the anti-tumour agents, Aloe emodin and Aloe lectins, are now also used in treatment of cancer.

Health Benefits

Aloe vera has a wide range of benefits.

• • One of the most efficient detoxifying agents
• • A powerful immune system stimulant
• • A strong anti-inflammatory agent
• • An analgesic
• • A stimulator of cell growth
• • An aid to the acceleration tissue healing
• • An antiseptic
• • A rich source of nutrients
• • A powerful aid to the digestive system
• • An Adaptogen

It is the most effective natural plant used both externally and internally and there are numerous benefits that are derived from this wonderful plant.

• • Aloe vera because of its blood purification property, it is useful in wounds, edema, pain, inflammation and other skin diseases.
• • It is beneficial in various diseases such as type II diabetes, asthma, jaundice, arthritis, eye disease, tumour, spleen enlargement, liver complaints, vomiting, bronchitis, and ulcers.
• • Aloe vera can be used by anyone as it balances all three doshas.
• • Aloe vera aids in regulating the menstrual flow in females. Therefore a number of medicines are prepared with Aloe vera as the main ingredient since it is sweet, bitter and cooling in action.
• • Three different preparations are made from different part of the plant. The inner gel, the sap and the skin each has its own uses. The inner leaf gel contains 96% water, is anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, vulnerary and hypocholesterolemic. It is drunk as a liquid. A cooling medicine, its soothing nature coats the digestive tract, so it is used to treat ulcers and gastritis. Aloe helps clear the toxin out of the digestive system. The cooling nature of the gel reduces acidity. Aloe purifies the body and aids liver function, so it is helpful for the skin, when taken internally.
• • Aloe vera is also regarded as a Rasayana i.e. that which strengthens the immune system of the body and keeps the disease away.
• • Aloe has the ability to penetrate the deepest body tissues (some seven layers deep). This property of aloe helps in wound healing.
• • Aloe vera aids as natural supportive therapy for maladies of constipation and haemmorrhods. Regular use of Aloe vera proves beneficial in both ailments. Kumariasav is a effective natural cure generally prescribed by Ayurveda physicians.
• • Relieves constipation, maintains a good gastric pH, helps in inflammatory bowel diseases, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric and duodenal ulcers. There are more than 120 drugs made today based on aloe vera.
• • Furthermore, the macrophages, monocytes, antibodies and T-cells are stimulated. Phagocytosis (when large white blood cells engulf particles) is dramatically increased to ingest foreign proteins, such as the HIV virus. Aloe mucopolysaccharides increase the number and intensity of all immune cells in the body.
• • It improves joint flexibility and helps in the regeneration of body cells. It strengthens joint muscles, which therefore reduces pain and inflammation in weakened or aged joints
• • Pharmacologically it is an immunity booster and detoxifies the system. It is recommended in adjuvant therapy with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chemotherapy to eliminate drug induced gastritis and other adverse effects.
• • 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 eczema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation.
• • Aloe vera gel is useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin.
• • Its 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, 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.
• • Aloe vera gel has several distinct healing properties. It has the ability to kill certain bacteria, fungi and viruses. It has also the ability to dilate capillaries which increases blood supply in the area to which it is applied. When applied to injured tissues gel penetrates and anaesthetizes tissue relieving pain and itching. Aloe Vera’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling of the skin and muscles.
• • Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, phenols, sulphur etc. These compounds exhibit inhibitory effect against number of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• • Aloe gel is used as skin tonic against pimples. It is uised for soothing the skin.

There is wide range of applications and beneficial effects of its use, continue to increase the popularity of ancient plant.

Other Uses

• • 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, moisturizers, soap, shampoos and lotions.

Home Remedies

• • The juice extracted from the pulp of the herb can be applied on the skin in case of burns and it provides both soothing as well as healing benefits.
• • Add Aloe leaves to hot water and boil, inhaling steam to relieve chest congestion..
• • Drink Aloe juice to relieve indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating.
• • After keeping the pulp of Aloe vera in a container for some time, the juice would separate from the same. This may be taken three or four times in a day as an effective home remedy for urine infection., flatulence, peptic ulcers and constipation.
• • For inflammation in the skin tissue along with pain and swelling, Mix some turmeric powder into the pulp of Aloe vera and this has to be heated on fire and can be applied to the affected part for relief.
• • Apply externally and drink juice to relieve haemorrhoids.
• • Eliminate UTI and prostate problems by drinking Aloe vera.
• • Consume 1-2 teaspoonful of fresh gel daily for young and healthy skin.
• • Ayurvedic texts it has been said that the fresh juice applied on the face can result into fairness and loss of blemishes.