Aloe vera: The Miracle Plant Its Medicinal and Traditional

Aloe vera is the oldest medicinal plant ever known and the most applied medicinal plant worldwide. Extracts of Aloe vera is a proven skin healer. Aloe vera help to soothe skin injuries affected by burning, skin irritations, cuts and insect bites, and its bactericidal properties relieve itching and skin swellings.

It is known to help slow down the appearance of  wrinkles  and actively repair the damaged skin cells that cause the visible signs of aging. Aloe is a powerful detoxifier, antiseptic and tonic for the nervous system. It also has immune-boosting and anti-viral properties.

Research has proven that adding Aloe vera to one’s diet improves digestion. As a general health tonic. Aloe vera is a useful source of vitamins. Aloe vera Gel contains a large   range of vitamins - even vitamin B12, Vitamin A, contains B-Group vitamins, Vitamin  C,  Vitamin E and folic acid.

Aloe vera Gel contains important ingredients including 19 of the 20 amino acids needed by the human body and seven of the eight essential ones that just cannot be made.

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, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, shampoos and lotions.

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, 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.

Aloe (Aloe vera) is an important and traditional medicinal plant belonging to  the  family Liliaceae. It is indigenous to Africa and Mediterranean countries. It is reported to grow wild in the islands of Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, Canary cape, Cape Verde and arid tracts of India.

This is a hardy perennial tropical plant that can be cultivated in drought prone areas and is one of the crops whose potential is yet to be exploited, despite being identified as 'a new plant resource with the most promising prospects in the world'.  In India, it is scattered in the wild, along the coast of southern India.

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 Barbados 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.

The plant produces at least 6 antiseptic agents such as lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulphur. All of  these substances are recognized as antiseptics because they kill or control  mold,  bacteria, fungus and viruses, explaining why plant has the ability to eliminate many internal and external infections. Lupeol and salicylic acid  present  in the juice are two very effective pain-killer.

It contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids, cholesterol, campesterol and β-sitosterol. 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-cholesterol  which helps to lower harmful cholesterol levels, helping to explain its many benefits for heart patients.

About 23 polypeptides are present in Aloe juice which helps to control a broad spectrum of immune system diseases and disorders. The polypeptids plus the anti-tumor agents, Aloe emodin and Aloe lectins, are now also used in treatment of cancer.

Medicinal Properties

Aloes have long been in use for several diseases, particularly connected with the digestive system; they have also been used for wounds, burns and skin problems. The term Aloes stand for the dried juice, which flows from transversely cut bases of its leaves.

It is the best herbal answer to suppor  the health and healing mechanisms of the body because it does not heal, rather it feeds the body’s own systems in order for them to function optimally and be healthy.

Pharmacologically it is an immunity booster and detoxifies the system. It is recommended in adjuvant therapy with antibiotics, NSAIDs (Non- steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and chemotherapy to eliminate drug induced gastritis and other adverse effects.

Useful in various diseases such as type II diabetes, arthritis, eye disease, tumor, spleen enlargement, liver complaints, vomiting, bronchitis,  asthma, jaundice and ulcers. Relieves constipation, maintains a good gastric pH, helps in inflammatory bowel diseases, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric and duodenal ulcers. A dietary supplement in pre and post-operative patients,postmenopausal women and in cases of osteoporosis.

Cultivation Soil

It is grown successfully in marginal to sub marginal soils having low fertility. The plants have tendency to tolerate high pH with high Na and K salts. However, it is observed that its growth was faster under medium fertile heavier soil such as black cotton soils of central India. Though well drained loam to coarse sandy loam soils with moderate fertility and pH upto 8.5 are preferred for its commercial cultivation.

Varieties

Several species of the genus have been in use under the common name of Aloe, viz. Aloe vera Linn. A. barbadensis Miller, A. ferox Miller, A. chinensis Baker, A. indica Royle, A. perryi Baker, etc., belonging to family liliaceae. Among these,A. vera Linn. syn.

A. barbadensis Miller is accepted unanimously as the correct botanical source of Aloe. In most reference books, A. barbadensis Miller is regarded as the correct  name but as per the WHO monograph, A. vera linn is accepted as the legitimate name for this species.

Land preparation

The soil should not be disturbed too deep as the root system of Aloe does not penetrate below 20- 30 cm. depending upon the soil type and agro- climatic condition, 1-2 ploughing followed by leveling may be done. Field may be divided into suitable sized plots (10-15 m × 3 m) considering the slope and source of irrigation available.

Propagation

It is propagated by root suckers or rhizome cuttings. For this purpose, medium sized root suckers are identified and carefully dug out without damaging the parent plant at the base and directly planted in the main field.

Planting time

Suckers should be planted in July – August  during monsoon season to get better field survival

and subsequent growth of the plants. However, under irrigated condition, planting can be done around the year except in winter months (November – February).

Manuring

The crop responds well to the application of farm yard manure and compost. During the first year   of plantation, FYM @20 t/ha is applied at  the time of land preparation and the same is  continued in subsequent years.

Spacing and Planting

Suckers are planted in about 15 cm deep pits  made just at the time of planting at 60×60 cm apart. After planting of suckers, the soil around  the root zone must be firmly pressed and drainage must be made proper to avoid water stagnation. About 28000 – 34000 suckers are needed for one hectare planting.

Irrigation

Aloe can be successfully cultivated both under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Provision of irrigation immediately after planting and during summer season will ensure good yield. However, the plants are sensitive to water  logged conditions.

Plant protection

Not much problems of insect pests and diseases have been observed in this crop from any part of the country. However, mealy bug,  anthracnose and leaf spots have been reported from  some  parts of the country. Sometime termite problem has also been observed which can be easily managed by giving a light irrigation.

It can also be propagated through rhizome cuttings. In this case, after the harvest of the crop, the underground rhizome is also dug out and  made in 5-6 cm long cuttings which has at least 2-3 nodes on them. Rooting is done in specially prepared sand beds or containers and after it starts sprouting, transplanting is carried out. On an

Harvesting and Yield

Leaving the fresh and young leaves from the top, older outer leaves are generally harvested. The plants can be removed manually or with the help of a tractor-drawn disc harrow or cultivator. New leaves grow from the center upward.  Offshoots are grown spontaneously next to the mother plant.

Crop is ready to harvest after 18 months of sowing. Economic yields are obtained in 5 years after that it needs replanting. In India, the average yield for organically grown Aloe is about 12 tonnes/ha (on fresh weight basis).

Health Benefits

Helps digestion: Drinking Aloe vera juice naturally allows the body to cleanse the digestive system. It encourages the bowels to move and helps with elimination if a person is constipated. And if you have diarrhea, it will help slow it down.

Increases energy levels: Our diets include many substances which can cause fatigue and exhaustion. Taken regularly, Aloe vera juice ensures a greater feeling of well-being, allowing energy levels to increase and also helps maintain  a healthy body weight.

Builds immunity: It is especially great for those who have chronic immune disorders like polysaccharides or fibromyalgia since the polysaccharides in Aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, the white blood cells that fight viruses.

Detoxifies: Aloe vera juice is a great natural aid to detox. With our stressful lives,  the  pollution around us and the junk foods we eat, we all need to cleanse our systems from time to time. Drinking Aloe vera juice provides a fantastically rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to help our bodies deal with these stresses and strains every day.

Reduces inflammation:

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.

·         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.

·         Aloe vera used to heal skin wounds, burn and Helps in speeding recovery time after surgery.

·         Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in  healing insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, fungal infection, vaginal infections, conjunctivitis, and allergic reactions.

·         Aloe gels are applied on dry skins to give them glowing effect, reducing acne,  reduce sunburn, screening out x-ray radiation.

·         Aloe vera helps to fight frostbite and shingles, reduce psoriasis, reduce rosacea, reduce warts and reduce ageing, reduce wrinkles and also it reduce the eczema.

·         Seeing so many medicinal uses of Aloe vera plant it is pretty easy to say that Aloe vera is of great importance in our  lives and solves great purpose in medical field as well. Apart from above mentioned medicinal uses of Aloe vera there are  other more important points to be noted about Aloe vera plant which are of more importance and critical issues:

  Side Effects

Topical: It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions  are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a small area first to test for possible allergic reaction.

  Oral: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation. Prolonged use has been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels).