naturalized in India and are found in a semi wild state
in all parts from the dry westward valleys of Himalayas
to Cape Co Morin. It is commonly found in field borders
along paths, slopes in various parts of Himachal Pradesh
below 1500m elevations.
Macroscopic identification
A perennial fleshy plant. Leaves sessile, crowded,
lanceolate, erect, spreading, spiny toothed at margin,
fleshy. Flowers: on a scape, scaly branched and longer
than leaves, yellow in color. Fruit: capsule.
Parts used
Leaves, fresh juice, pulp, root.
Pharmacological action: the plant is bitter, cooling,
purgative, abortificant, cathartic, stomachic, blood
purifier, emmanogogue, alterative aphrodisiac,
antihelmentic, useful in eyes and uterine complaints.
Action and uses in Ayurveda
Bhedi, pittanirharna, rajahpravartak, jvarahar
Indications
Fresh juice is cooling and cathartic. Plant is stomachic
purgative, emmanogogue, and antihelmentic. Dried juice
is cathartic. Pulp is used in menstrual suppression and
root in colic. It is purgative, cholagogue,
anti-inflammatory, alterative, tonic, and antihelmentic.
Photochemical
The chemicals isolated are alion, isobarbaloin, emodin.
Gum rasin contains anthraquinone erivatives like emodin
ans chrysophanic acid. Whole leaf contains uronic acid.
Pulp contains uronic acid, oxidase, catalase and sugars.
Pulp contains glucoside, barbaloin, b- barbaloin and
aloe-emodin.
Properties and action
Rasa: tikta.
Guna: ruksha
Virya: usna
Vipaka: katu
Karma: bhedi, pittanirharna, rajahpravartak, jvarahar
Preparations
Extract, powder and paste
Therapeutic classification index:
- Central nervous system: aloe settles nerves
and calms the nervous system.
- Blood and haemopoeitic tissue: it is a blood
alkalinize.
Cardiovascular system: it dilates the blood
capillaries and increases the blood circulation
- Digestive system: It is taken internally
for peptic ulcers or gastritis. Its juice is consumed
as prevention and for treatment of many gastric
disorders. Large dose of juice is laxative.
- Skin: Leaves are used to treat ulcers. The
gel is used for acceleration of wound healing;
epithelialization of skin burns and moisturizing dry
skin. The transparent gel that is found inside its
leaf is used as a domestic emergency treatment in
burns, injuries and solar errythema; it is also
applied externally on hemorrhoids for good
cicatrisation. It breaks down and digests dead tissue
and enhances normal cell growth and hastens healing.
It acts as an antipruritic and stops itching.
- Nutrition and metabolism: Aloe Vera
contains at least two active compounds that decrease
the levels of sugar in the blood and its extract is
also used in patients with hypoglycemia. It provides
number of minerals, vitamins, and enzymes.
- Genito-urinary system: it is an emmanogogue
and is also used an abortificant.
Musculoskeletal system: it penetrates up to the 7
layers of tissue and anesthesis tissue relieving joint
and musculature pain.
- Hair: aloe regenerates hair follicles and
heals seborrhea.
- Immunity system: This plant has
antibacterial, anti fungicidal and antiviral
properties. It is a natural cleanser and detoxifier.
Aloe is an antibacterial and antibiotic and anti
fungal hence controls candida infections.
Use of aloe vera in digestive disorders.
The Science and Medicine Institute of Linus Pauling in
California, confirmed the beneficial effect of the
consumption of Aloe Vera over the digestive system.
Taking daily, the juice of the leaves of Aloe Vera
produces a great improvement in persons with diseased
digestive apparatus, colitis, heartburn and irritable
colon. Action of the Aloe Vera juice was also proved as
an antiacid and healer in treatments as gastritis and
ulcer.
Effect of Aloe Vera on inflammation:
- Some aloe vera derivatives show anti-inflammatory
activities by inhibiting prostanoid production in
damage tissue. The extracts mediate certain other
anti-inflammatory mechanism that blocks the antigens.
It reduces neutrophil caused tissue damage during body
defense mechanism.
Research revels aloe' effect on inflammation by Dr.
Ian Tizard, Texas A and M University
- In 1982, several studies compared Aloe to
Prednisolone and Indomethacin (common antiinflammatory
drugs) and were found to be as effective as the drugs
without the long-term toxicity and side effects. This
also explains why Aloe is effective treatment for
arthritis, colitis, ulcers, burns, cuts, abrasions,
and many inflammatory conditions of the digestive
system. Aloe juice has also been effective in allergic
reactions, acid indigestion, and in lowering blood
pressure and cholesterol.
Aloe vera a boon for dentist:
There are eight main uses of aloe vera in dental
practice
- Application of aloe vera directly at the site of
periodontal surgery.
- Applications to the gum tissues when they have
been traumatized or scratched by toothbrush, sharp
foods, dental floss, and toothpick injuries.
- Chemical burns are relieved quickly with the use
of aloe.
- Site of tooth extraction responds more comfortably
when treated with aloe.
- Acute mouth lesions such as herpetic viral
lesions, apthous ulcers, canker sores, and cracks
occurring at the corners of lips are improved by
direct application on. Gum abscesses are soothed by
the applications as well.
- Diseases such as Lichen Planus and Benign
Pemephigus , AIDS and Leukemia are also relieved
Migratory glossititis, geographic tongue and Burning
Mouth Syndrome are improved.
- Denture patients with sore ridges and ill-fitting
dentures and partials can benefit as funguses and
bacterial contamination reduce the inflammatory
irritations.
- Aloe Vera can also be used around dental implants
to control inflammation from bacterial contamination.
By Dr. Timothy E. Moore, M.S., P.C. Oklahoma
University, Baylor University, and Loma Linda.]
Nutritive value of aloe
- 13 mineral have been isolated from aloe
- Calcium
- Sulphur
- Chlorine
- Iron
- Copper (belongs to the trace elements.)
- Sodium
- Manganese (belongs to the trace elements)
-
Potassium
- Chrome
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Potassium
16 enzymes
Amylase Bradykinase Cellulase Catalase Lipase Creatine Phosphokinase Protease Pentosane Alimase SGOT transaminase Lactic Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 5`Nucleotidase SPOT transaminase SGPT-Transaminase
13 vitamins
Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3
Vitamin B6Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Vitamin E Niacin Caratonoids Cholin Folic acid
4 essential fatty acids
24 amino acids
7 essential amino acids.
11 anthraquinone
14 mucopolysaccharides
International Aloe Science Council, Inc. Article
(August 2003)
Use of aloe as an antiseptic
The Aloe Vera plant produces at least 6 antiseptic
agents: lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen,
cinnamonic acid, phenol, and sulphur. All of these
substances are recognized as antiseptics because they
exhibit antimicrobial activity. Aloe has been used to
eliminate many internal and external infections,
wounds, and ulcers. Lupeol, salicylic acid, and
magnesium are very effective analgesics. This explains
why Aloe is effective in alleviating pain.
Use of aloe in psoriasis
One randomised, double blind trial assessed topical
0.5% hydrophilic aloe vera cream compared with placebo
cream in 60 patients with mild to moderate chronic
plaque-type psoriasis over four weeks. Patients were
followed-up for 12 months. The rate of cure was
significantly better with aloe vera (83% ) than with
placebo (7%) with no relapses.
Vogler BK, Ernst E. Aloe vera: a systematic review of
its clinical effectiveness. British Journal of General
Practice 1999;49:823-828.
Use of aloe in Wound healing
- ne nonrandomised, unblinded study assessed wound
healing with polyethylene oxide wound gel or
polyethylene oxide wound gel saturated with aloe vera
in 17 patients with acne vulgaris. Half-face
treatments were carried out so that each patient
received both treatments. By day 5, 90% of wounds were
healed (complete re-epithelialisation) with aloe vera
compared with 40-50% without aloe vera. Wound healing
was 72 hours faster with aloe vera.
Vogler BK, Ernst E. Aloe vera: a systematic review of
its clinical effectiveness. British Journal of General
Practice 1999;49:823-828.
- One randomised, unblinded trial assessed wound healing
with standard wound care with or without aloe vera
dermal gel every 8-12 hours in 40 women after
gynaecologic surgery. All women had complications of
wound healing after surgery. Details of the standard
treatment were not provided and 50% of women did not
complete the trial. Mean healing time (to completely
epithelialised wound) was significantly longer with
aloe vera (83 days) than with standard treatment (53
days).
Vogler BK, Ernst E. Aloe vera: a systematic review of
its clinical effectiveness. British Journal of General
Practice 1999;49:823-828.
Dose: powder-125-500mg
Fresh juice 10-20 ml
Capsule aloe vera contains pure and concentrated aloe
vera.
Dosage: one capsule twice a day
Package size: 60 capsules
References
- Dr.KM Nadkarni, The Indian Materia Medica, Vol.I, pg
76-77
- Prof P.V Sharma, Dravya Guna Vigyana, Vol II, pg
446-450
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India, Part I, Vol.I,
pg 62
- R.N Chopra, S.L. Nayar, I.C. Chopra, NISC, Glossary Of
Indian Medicinal Plants pg12-13
- Medicinal and aromatic plants of Himachal Pradesh, by
Dr. Narain Singh Chauhan pg 90
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