Alovera : The Miraculous Medicinal Plant

Aloevera is one of the oldest known medicinal plants gifted by nature. It is grown largelyin South Texas, USA, Mexico, India, South America, Central America, China, Australia andAfrica. In India the plant grows in only a few areas of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. There are around 400 species of Aloe, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera or “true aloe”) plant which has been of most use to mankind because of the medicinal properties it displays. The major markets for Aloe Vera and its extracts are Australia,US and the entire Europe. International Aloe Science Council (IA SC) is the certifying body of the aloe industry.

Several aloe products are available in the markets such as gel, herbal, shampoo, medicinal, cosmetics, laxative, juice, burns, wound healing, cactus, hair care etc. Aloe Vera can be cultivated on any soil for ‘dry land management’. Sandy loamy soil is the best suited for it. It is grown wild in hedgerows in dry soil conditions and in almost all parts ofIndia. It can be grown even under constant drought conditions. Commercial cultivation and utilization of this plant with the application of technology can be of great value. According to a report on aloe worldwide cultivation published by IA SC there are close to 23,600 hectares of aloe being cultivated at worldwide level, whereas 19,100 of them are located in the Americas. But numbers are growing at an interesting pace.

Since Aloe Vera is very much found in tropical and sub tropical regions the uses of Aloe vera for people residing in those places are cheap and easy. But breaking the barriers Aloe vera uses has been spread globally and through out the globe people are using Aloe vera for their purpose. India is among the few countries gifted with the unique geographical features essential for cultivation of Aloe Vera medicinal plant. Yet our country has not realized and reaped the full benefits of such plant. Lack of expertise may be one of the reasons for this. Due to lack of cultivation and processing know-how, we have not been able to exploit the excellent potential of the miraculous medicinal plant.

Promising Medicinal Benefits: Aloe Vera is known for it’s medicinal qualities and has been used for thousands of years. There are 500 medicinal uses of Aloe vera which has been mentioned in various books and is in practice. There are over 200 types of aloe vera, of these only 4 or 5 are commonly used in medicines. The most widely used variety of AloeVera is Barbadensis Millar. It is perennial, succulent plant with stiff fleshy leaves. Aloe vera is a clear thin gelatinous material that comes from inside the aloe vera leaves. Aloe vera products are available in various forms like capsules, gel, juice and those that are applied directly to the skin. It has cooling effect and bitter in taste, it contains aloin that is responsible for its purgative action so it is known to relieve constipation. It regulates the peristalticmovements of intestines & promotes digestion; the liver & spleen function are stimulated by the use of this herb.

A research work carried out over many years points conclusively to a toxic colon being the cause of a very wide range of illness, in establishing a regime of regular daily dose of aloe vera juice it may not only be found that the effects are gradual gentle and with no irritant or harmful side effects, but also blood circulation will be improved due to aloe Vera’s ability to detoxify. Also being a natural healer, any internal ulcers or lesions will be soothedand healing will be enhanced. Aloe vera leaves has some ingredients like Vitamin, Minerals, Amino acid, Polysaccharides, Enzymes, Plant steroids, Saponins, Lignin, AnthraquinonesSalicylic acid which are necessary for human bodies.

Aloe Vera uses include cosmetic benefits and uses as beauty restoring things. At present much research is going on to see the cosmetic benefits of the Aloe Vera plants and how it can be used to make cosmetic products shooting for your skin to give you a glowing and healthy effect.

Aloe Vera appears in liquid type, as well as gel type. It can as well be bought as a fluid. Aloe Vera fluid can be taken by itself or it can be combined with water. One of the main qualities of aloe vera is that it acts as a very good moisturiser. This is important because wounds need plenty of moisture if they are going to heal properly. Just applying a dry dressing is enough but you are starving the wound of any moisture and can damage the wound furtherwhen you come to remove the dressing, which will obviously delay the healing process. So to get most benefit from aloe vera you can either apply an aloe vera cream or gel directly onto the affected area of the skin, or you can take an aloe vera juice or a pill such as Aloeride which will help heal the wound from within the body. Either way you will help moisturise the wound.

Another great quality of aloe vera is that it is very good at reducing inflammation. Therefore by using aloe vera you can quickly reduce the inflammation around the cut or wound and ease the pain, as well as helping speed up the healing process. Aloe vera also contains around 75 essential nutrients and is said to increase the flow of blood to the skin andincrease cell proliferation. It also helps to cleanse the affected wound of any germs. Furthermore if there is a specific medical condition that is causing the skin wounds, then aloe vera can be consumed in liquid or capsule form to help boost the immune system andhelp to prevent you from getting any wounds in the future.

Although aloe vera gel is better known as a home remedy for minor burns and other skin conditions, recent animal studies suggest that aloe vera gel may help people with diabetes. A Japanese study evaluated the effect of aloe vera gel on blood sugar. Researchersisolated a number of active phytosterol compounds from the gel that were foundto reduce blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Aloe vera is used forenhancing skin growth.

A two-year research by M S University botanists has concluded that Aloe Vera can also be used as a biofuel. So far the plant was known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. An international patent has now been sought to establish the use of Aloe Vera seeds in making biodiesel, soaps and edible oils. Aloe Vera works as anti-septic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. It cures Eczema, Diabetes, Arthritis and Prevent infections. It also improves human immune system and digestive system. Acid inside Aloe vera is used as effective pain killers.

Antiseptic made from Aloe vera is used to kill mold, bacteria, fungus and viruses. Drug from juice is tonic and is used in jaundice, atonic, piles and many other diseases. It is useful for medical treatments, health digestion, X-ray burns, and disorders of skin. Aloe vera uses include help in skin blemishes. Acne is treated by Aloe vera gel and it’s really effective. Aloe vera also helps in stopping baldness. Important Aloe vera uses include relief from cuts, bruises and burns. Uses of Aloe Vera included expelling our worms. Aloe Vera screens out radiation. The aloe vera plant is used extensively in beauty products. Aloe Vera protects from lung cancer. Aloe Vera eases intestinal problems. Aloe Vera minimises frostbite damage. Act as purgative for lazy and weak people. Aloe vera can be used in cough also. Also food enthusiasts find the aloe vera extract necessary in preservation of goods.

Conclusion

Many people regard the aloe vera plant as being one of nature’s great miracles because ofthe many different health benefits associated with the plant and its extract especially in curing skin problems. Now- a- days research is going on to cure acute and seriousdiseases like cancer, AIDS and tuberculosis using Aloe Vera. It will be a great achievement if Aloe vera is successful in curing these diseases. Furthermore, it is very important that people should always seek the advice of their doctor before using it. Also more strict regulations should be imposed on the manufacturing standards of aloe vera extracts andits ‘over-the-counter sale’.

[The author is Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of Commerce, Gobi Arts & Science College, Gobi, Tamilnadu, India, e-mail: mvm_gasc@rediffmail.com]