Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years.The genus Aloe belonging to family Alliaceae is a succulent herb of 80 - 100 cm in height which matures in 4 - 6 years and survive for nearly 50 years under favorable conditions.

Leaves have three layers. The outer most layer consist of 15 - 20 cells thick protective layer synthesizing carbohy- drates and proteins. The active components of aloe include anthraquinones, chromones, poly- saccharides, and enzymes. The anthraquinones and chro- mones are responsible for the anti-cancer activity, anti- inflammatory, and evacuating. The elements Al, B, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P, Si etc has also been reported to be present in Aloe vera gel.

How Aloe vera can be used?

Aloe vera pulp - direct intake

Aloe vera pulp application

Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera decoction / Syrup

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA TO BODY

1.Wound Healing

A more recent review concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. The wound healing property of Aloe vera gel has been attributed to Man- nose-6-phosphate. Actually, glucomannan and plant growth harmone gibberellins interacts with growth factor receptors of fibrobroblast and stimulate its activity and proliferation for increases collagen synthesis in topical and oral administration of Aloe according to Hayes. The Aloe administration influence collagen composition (more type III) and increased collagen cross linking for wound contraction and improving breaking strength. It also increases synthesis of hyaluronic acid and derma- tan sulfate in the granulation tissue of a healing wound.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Action

The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe vera gel has been revealed by a number of in vitro and in vivo studies through bradykinase activity. The aloe sterol includes campesterol, β-sitosterol, lupeol, and cholesterol which are anti-inflammatory in nature, helps in reducing the inflammation pain and act as a natural analgesic.

3. Effects on the Immune System

Alprogen inhibit calcium influx into mast cells, thereby inhibiting the antigen-antibody-mediated release of histamine and leukotriene from mast cells. Several low-molecular-weight compounds are also capable of inhibiting the release of reactive oxygen free radicals from activated human neutrophils.

4. Moisturising and Anti-Aging Agent

Muco-polysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects have also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where Aloe vera gel gloves improved the skin integrity, decrease appearance of acne wrinkle and decrease erythema. The Aloe gel gives cooling effect and also acts as a moisturizing agent. It also has role in gerontology and rejuvenation of aging skin. This property of Aloe is because it’s biogenic material. Aloe vera is used as skin tonic in cosmetic industry.

5. Antitumor Activity

A number of glycoproteins present in Aloe vera gel have been reported to have antitumor and antiulcer effects and to increase proliferation of normal human dermal cells.

6. Laxative Effects

Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative; it’s stimulating mucus secretion, increase intestinal water content and intestinal peristalsis. The laxative effect of Aloe is not generally observed before 6 hours after oral administration, and sometimes not until 24 or more hours after.

7. Medicinal Uses

Aloe vera is anthelmintic, aperients, carminative, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, stomachic and emmenagogue. Juice is used in skin care medicine, dyspepsia, amenorrhea, burns, colic, hyperadenosis, hepatopathy, splenopathy, constipation, span menorrhea, abdominal tumors, dropsy carbuncles, sciatica, lumbago and flatulence.

8. Cosmetic & Skin Protection Application

Aloin and its gel are used as skin tonic against pimples. Aloe vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist to help avoid flaky scalp and skin in harsh and dry weather. The Aloe sugars are also used in moisturizing preparations. Mixed with selected essential oils, it makes an excellent skin smoothening moisturizer, sun block lotion plus a whole range of beauty products.

9. Antiseptic

The antiseptic property of Aloe vera is due to presence of six antiseptic agents namely lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulphur. These compounds have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses.

10. Anti Diabetic

The five phytosterols of A. vera, lophenol, 24-methyl- lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol and 24-methy- lenecycloartanol showed anti-diabetic effects in type-2 diabetic mice . Aloe vera contains polysaccharides which increase the insulin level and show hypoglycemic properties.

11. Anticancer Properties

Aloe vera juice enables the body to heal itself from cancer and also from the damage caused by radio and chemotherapy that destroys healthy immune cells crucial for the recovery. Aloe vera emodin, an anthraquinone, has the ability to suppress or inhibit the growth of malignant cancer cells making it to have anti- neoplastic properties.

12. Stress

Aloe juice is helpful in smooth functioning of the body machinery . It reduces cell-damaging process during stress condition and minimizes biochemical and physiological changes in the body. Aloe vera is an excellent example of a functional food that plays a significant role in protection from oxidative stress.

13. Antimicrobial Activities

Aloe vera has anti bacterial and antiviral properties against Streptoccocus pyogenes and Streptococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium (M. fortuitum, M. smegmatis and M. kansasii) and a strong anti-mycobacterial activity against M. tuberculosis ss well as antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus and S. typhi.The anthraquinone aloin also inactivates various enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster and influenza.