Aloe vera plant with flower detail inset. |
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Aloe vera, also known as the true or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant that, it is presumed, originated in the southern half of the Arabian peninsula , Northern Africa , the Canary islands , and Cape Verde . Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India, and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine.
Many scientific studies of the use of aloe vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting. Despite these limitations, there is some preliminary evidence that Aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, minor skin infections, Sebaceous cyst , diabetes , and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as polysaccharides , mannans , anthraquinones , and lectins.
Description :
Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets . The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. 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 pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza , a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil.
Taxonomy and etymology :
Spotted forms of Aloe vera are sometimes known as Aloe vera var. chinensis
Alternative names :
» In India, Aloe vera is known as Korphad (in Maharashtra ), Kattar vazha (in Kerala ), Gwarpatha (in Rajasthan and Gujarat ), Ghrtakumari (Hindi /Sanskrit : or Gheekvar and is used in Ayurvedic medicine and as a home remedy for skin allergies, acne, fungus infections , and beauty-aid. In the state of Tamil Nadu , the plant is called Katralai or Katrazhai and its pulp is highly regarded for its anti-ageing potential, hence its pet name Kumari . The pulp is used extensively in Siddha medicines for treating ailments including constipation, enlargement of the spleen, zymotic disease, and chengamaari (a type of venereal infection). It is also known as Kalabanda in the Telugu language , and as Gheekoari in Oriya.
» In Pakistan, the plant is known as Quargandal and is used in Unani (Greek-Islamic) medicine.
Cultivation :
Aloe vera can be grown as an ornamental plant. Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively medicinal plant and due to its interesting flowers, form, and succulence. This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low-water use gardens. The species is hardy in zones 8–11, although it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow. The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though 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, in very hot and humid tropical or subtropical climates, aloe plants should be protected from direct sun and rain, as they will burn and/or turn mushy easily under these conditions. The use of a good-quality commercial propagation mix or pre-packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended, as they allow good drainage. Terracotta pots are preferable as they are porous. Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. When potted aloes become crowded with "pups" growing from the sides of the "mother plant," they should be divided and re-potted to allow room for further growth and help prevent pest infestations. During winter, A. vera 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 Large scale agricultural production of Aloe vera is undertaken in Australia , Bangladesh , Cuba , the Dominican Republic , China , Mexico , India , Jamaica , Kenya and South Africa , along with the USA to supply the cosmetics industry with Aloe vera gel.
Uses :
Medicinal uses :Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of Aloe vera is limited and when present is frequently contradictory. Despite this, the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturising, and healing properties of Aloe vera, especially Aloe vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotion , yogurt , beverages , and some desserts . Aloe vera juice is used for consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome . It is common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup , tissues , moisturizers , soaps , sunscreens , incense , shaving cream , and shampoos . Other uses for extracts of Aloe vera include the dilution of semen for the artificial fertilization of sheep, use as fresh food preservative,[ and use in water conservation in small farms. The therapeutic uses of Aloe vera are not exclusive to the species and may be found to a lesser or greater degree in the gels of all aloes, and indeed are shared with large numbers of plants belonging to the family Asphodelaceae . Bulbine frutescens, for example, is used widely for the treatment of burns and a host of skin afflictions.
Aloe vera has a long association with herbal medicine , although it is not known when its medical applications were first discovered. 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 Aloe vera is non-toxic, with no known side effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing. Taking Aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts has been associated with various side-effects However, the species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China , Japan , Russia , South Africa , the United States , Jamaica, Latin America and India.
Aloe vera is alleged to be effective in treatment of wounds.[ Evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing, however, is limited and contradictory. Some studies, for example, show that Aloe vera promotes the rates of healing, while, in contrast, other studies show that wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal than those treated with conventional medical preparations. A more recent review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns.[ In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics , and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease). In other diseases , preliminary studies have suggested oral Aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis Compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans. The injection of Aloe vera extracts to treat cancer has resulted in the deaths of several patients.
Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis However, it is not effective for the prevention of radiation-induced injuries. Although anecdotally useful, it has not been proven to offer protection from sunburn or suntan In a double-blind clinical trial, both the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice had a reduction of gingivitis and plaque, but no statistically significant difference was found between the two.
Aloe vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities, which may help in the treatment of minor skin infections, such as boils and benign skin cysts . Aloe vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea ; however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. For its anti-fungal properties, Aloe vera is used as a fish tank water conditioner. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from Aloe vera was shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro In contrast, Aloe vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.
Commodity uses :Aloe vera is now widely used on face tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturiser and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users suffering hay-fever or cold It has also been suggested that biofuels could be obtained from Aloe vera seeds It can also be used to retwist dreadlocked hair, a favourite agent for vegans and those preferring natural products. Aloe Vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist while eliminating the risk of flaky scalp and skin in harsh and dry weather.
Biologically active compounds :Aloe vera leaves contain a range of biologically active compounds, the best-studied being acetylated mannans , polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones and anthraquinones , and various lectins.