Aloe-Vera is essential food

 

                          Aloe Vera / कुमारी / ग्वारपाठा  (  Aloe barbandensis )

                                  Aloe-vera is a succulent plant species ,evergreen perennial, Xerophytic ,shrubby, green  plant originated from the Arabian peninsula , but grow in tropical , semitropical ,arid climates around the world . The plant has triangular ,lanceolate , fleshy leaves with serrated edge sharp point ,stout and thick stem ,Fibrous root  grow up 80 -110 cm in length . Its leaves can grow up to 18-20- inch long and 2 inch wide . The flower is cylindrical , pendulous and dense racemes , yellow color and long up to 2-4 cm .   In India , it is found in Rajasthan , Andhrapradesh ,Gujarat ,, Maharastra , MP and other many state . Aloe vera derives from the Aarabic word “Alloeh “ meaning –shining bitter substance , while vera in latin means  ‘’true’’ . Aloevera is a medicinal and beauty purpose plant , which are usually safe to use ,it can be applied as well as consume in raw form  . Leaves of the plant are rich in water so it can survive for long time . It can be applied both internally and externally .

 

Vernacular name – Family- Liliaceae ( Asphodelaceae ) –

      Snaskrit ( Ghritkumari , Kumari , Vipulasrava ) ,English ( Indian Aloe , Aloe vera ) , Hindi     ( Guarpatha , Ghikanvar , Rambans , Ghritkumari) , Malyalam ( Kumara , Katta Vazha ),Marathi ( Korphad , Kunvarpata ) , Bangali ( Ghritkumari ) , Tamil ( Chirukuttali ) , Botanical name ( Aloe barbadensis ) .

Aloevera  properties –

1-     Ayurvedic properties of Aloevera are ; Rasa / Taste  – Tikta / Bitter , Guna / Qualities – Heaviness / Snigdha / Sticky slimy ,  Vipaka – Katu / Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion , Veerya – Sheeta / Cold potency ,

Karma / Effect on Tridosha – Balance all the three doshas , Part used – Leaves . It is a rejuvenating herb , part of a special class of Ayurvedic herbs known as Rasayana . Aloe vera has anti-septic , anti-fungal ,anti-microbial , anti-biotic , anti-bacterial , disinfecting , germicidal and anti-viral properties .

2-     Other properties - Aloevera produces two substances , Gel and Latex . Gel is a clear and odorless substance which is obtained from the inner part of the leaf .Latex is a yellow substance obtained from the outer part of leaf .Latex is used as laxative , but regular consumption is not good ,while the gel can be consumed more frequently . Aloe vera is an excellent natural disinfectant as it contain antibiotic properties , as well as possesses nutrients , vitamins and vital minerals .

3-     Boost Healing  properties - Aloevera ,when applied on the skin , is known for its soothing and cooling effect as well as its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties . This property  increase blood flow to affected area,thus to help the healing process.It helps in healing burns and wound and also in reducing inflammation caused by acne .

4-     Control constipation - Aloevera may be control constipation because of its laxative and vata balancing property . Aloevera acts as natural laxative due to presence of Anthraquinones , which are speed up the bowel movement and help in easy excretion of stool . Aloe vera may be used to support weight loss through its detoxifying , laxative and metabolic effect .Aloe vera can help with both metabolic process .The B-vitamins and enzyme in aloe vera make it excellent at burning fat .

5-     Reduce Acidity and improve digestion - Acid reflux can arise when stomach acid flows back up the esophagus ,its symptom include a burning sensation in the chest ,bloating , nausea and cough .Bad bacteria can produce gas  that can bloating and discomfort . The anti-bacterial properties of aloevera kill the bad bacteria associated with acid reflux and improve digestion . Aloevera contain enzymes and fatty acid that help with the metabolic and digestive process in the body .

Poor digestion invites many disease , Aloe vera is clean and relax the digestive tract and improve digestion . Aloe vera helps to minimize the unhealthy bacteria in our gut and keeps our intestinal flora in balance . It prevents maximum gas build-up and prevents the development of digestive problems , and provides improved treatment for disease of the intestinal valve .

6-     Control diabetes and its complication - Aloevera may help manage diabetes due to the presence of many phytochemicals such as Lectins ,Mannans . It remove Ama and control aggravated vata due to deepan  and pachan property of Aloevera .This thus help control high blood sugar levels . Aloevera may be prevent cell damage such as ulcer , wound , kidney ,  damage associated with diabetes due to its anti-oxidant psores or lesions roperty . It can help naturally control the sugar level , fat and insulin in diabetic person .

7-     Improve cardiovascular problem - Presence of phytosterol ,glucomannan and other in Aloevera may be help in lowering LDL level ,Triglycerides and prevent artery blockage . Aryuvedic point of view ,control cholesterol because of its Ama reducing property and it remove blockage from vessels by eliminating toxin .Beta-sitosterol of Aloe vera is also helps to minimize cholesterol level , blood pressure regulated . Blood circulation also improves , thus , it helps to lower the risk of hear problem .

8-     Protect Liver  and improve its function  - Aloevera juice is  an excellent for liver because its hydrating and phytonutrients properties . Liver fuctions best when the body is adequately nourished and hydrated .

9-     Improving nervine function  - Aloevera may be help in alleviating depression due to presence of flavonoids and amino acid . Vata is reponsible for proper functioning of nervous system and depression . Aloevera has vata balancing property and it help to control  depression .

10-  Improving Immune system – Polysaccharides in Aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages , which are the white blood cells of the human immune system that fight against viruses . In other way’s , Aloe vera contain antioxidants that protect our body from harmful free radicals , which can strengthen our body’s natural defense mechanism .

11- Improving skin and  control ageing -  Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has cooling , anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is used widely to treat skin problems such as blemishes , scars , acne  and as they have the ability to remove dead skin cells . Aloe gel is widely used in anti-ageing skin creams and lotion.It moisturises skin and  promote skin regeneration,reducing first sign of ageing such as wrinkles and fine line. Rich level of anti-oxidants in Aloe vera helps the combat the unstable compounds termed free radical , contributing to the ageing process . Aloevera has anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties which help fight bacterial infection of the skin. Traditionally it is use in the treatment of acne , dandruff and other common bacterial skin infection .Aloe vera will give smooth , glowing , glossy and flawless skin

12- Treat Acne problem - Aloe-vera has anti-inflammatory property which is effective in controlling acne and reducing the redness caused by it . The enzyme present in Aloe-vera forms an anti-bacterial coating on the skin to protect it against acne –causing bacteria . The Aloe vera can help sunburns because of its cooling properties .

13- Aloevera has moisturizing effect , when used as conditioner it may helps maintain hair health and balance pH of the scalp thus avoiding hair fall and making the hair lustrous . Aloevera gel is a good source of vitamins and enzymes which help nourish the hair follicles and leads to a faster hair growth.

14- Others - Whether apply topically or consume it via  juice , softgels or the gel itself , aloe vera has a unique profile of nutritional benefit that can treat various health issue .It is considered safe to eat , however , when making own gel form the aloe leaves , we should be caution to not consume too much of latex . 

15- Improving hair growth – This plant contains minerals , vitamins , and other essential amino acids which are necessary for hair growth . Natural enzyme in aloe vera help to get rid of dead skin cells completely . They also prevents in aloe vera the accumulation of excess nutrients in the hair , resulting in healthy hair growth .It stimulate the production of moisturizing oils to protect the scalp from dryness and to increase blood flow to the scalp .

16- Aloe vera Adaptogen – Aloe vera is a notable adaptogen , Aloe vera helps to get rid dandruff and minimize the itching and dryness caused by dandruff .which are biochemicals that improve the ability of the body to adapt external changes and according to stimuli .Aloe vera balance the body system , it stimulate the defensive and adaptive mechanism of the body .It gives us added ability to get by the emotional , mental , and environmental stress .

Chemical Properties of Aloevera –  

1-     Aloevera leaf contain 98% water . The total solid content of Aloe-vera gel is 0.66%  and soluble solid are 0.56 % with some seasonal fluctuaation . Aloe vera leaf is composed of three layers : 1- An inner clear gel ,that contains 98%water and rest is made of glucomannans , amino acid , lipids ,sterols and vitamins 2- The middle layer of latex, which is bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides. 3 –The outer thick layer  called as rind ,which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrate and proteins .

 2 -     On dry matter basis aloe-gel consist of poly-saccharides ( 53 %) , sugar ( 17%) , minerals ( 16%) , proteins ( 7%) ,lipid ( 5%) and phenolic compound ( 92%). Aloevera contains near about more than 75 potential active constituents : vitamins , enzymes, minerals , sugars , lignin ,saponins , salicylic acid , Fatty acids , and important  amino acids  , which are responsible for multifunctional activity of Aloe .

3-     Minerals found no 20 no  ( Calcium , Chromium , Copper , Magnesium , Manganese , Potassium , Selenium , Sodium , Iron and Zinc ) . In Aloe vera Good range of Fatty acids which include three plant sterols namely HCL Cholesterol , Campestral , and Beta-sitosterol , all these reduce allergies and acid indigestion symptoms .

4-     Aloe-vera  contains 12 types of Anthraquinones ,which are phenolic compound traditionally  known as laxative properties . Aloe latex contains aloin , which is an Anthraquinone that gives Aloevera it may be help treat constipation . Aloin is an example of an Anthraquinone found in the latex that may give the plant its laxative qualities . Aloin and Emodine acts as analgesic ,antibacterial activities . Aloe-vera contain also nd wound healing properties .

5-     It means Aloe vera contain most active compound Aloe-emodin , Aloin , Aloesin , Emodin , and Ace mannan .Aloe-emodin is an Anthraquinone and an isomer of emodin present in Aloe latex .It exhibit many pharmacological activity including antivirus , anti-inflammatory , anti-bacterial , neuro-protective and hepato- protective activities .Aloesin is a natural polyphenol compound , which may be minimize the systemic oxidative stress and it may be useful such as wound and burn healing properties , and anti-oxidant .Ace-Mannan is main bioactive polysaccharides of Aloe vera , possesses anti-oxidant , wound healing , neuro-protection , and intestinal health promotion activities .

6-     Amino acids -  8 Amino acid of the total 22 are very essential for the perfect health of human body . Aloe-Vera contain 18-20 amino acids with all 8 essential amnio acids .

7-     Fatty acid and Sterols -  Other Fatty acid also found in Aloe vera are Caprylic , Linoleic , Linolenic , Myristic , Oleic , Palmitic , and Stearic . Aloevera has four plant Steroids; such as  Cholesterol ,Campestral ,Beta-sitosterol, and Lupeol , which give medicinal property to the Aloe Vera plant. All these have anti-inflammatory action and Lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties .

8-     Anti-oxidant are important for our health . Aloe-vera gel contain powerful anti-oxidant belonging to a large family of substance known as Polyphenol . These Polyphenol , along with several other compound in Aloe-vera , help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infection in human .In other ways , Cinnamic acid , phenol , Sulphur , lupeol , salicylic acid and urea nitrogen , which preclude the growth of microorganism in the body , they are enhance antimicrobial activity and try to eliminate internal and external infection .

9-     It contain vitamins A , C and E , they are  are anti-oxidants, which are neutralizes free radicals . It also contain vitamin B 12 , B1 ,B2 ,B3 ,B6 , Folic acid , Beta-carotene and choline also . Aloe vera juice are alkaline in nature .

10-     It contain various minerals like ,calcium ,copper ,magnesium ,potassium , zinc and other , which are essential for proper functioning of various enzyme  system in different metabolic pathway  and few are anti-oxidant .

11- Aloe-vera contain also near about eight enzyme , which are Aliiase , Alkaline Phosphate , Amylase , Lipase , Cellulase , Bradykinase and others .Amylase enzyme may be help break down carbs so that they easily absorbed by the body .  Bradykinase  may be help to minimize excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically.Lipase enzyme function is help to digest fats and lipid , helping to maintain gall bladder function .Alkaline phosphate enzyme that help fight off bad bacteria in the gut and help to improve digestion , makes bone strong .

Aloevera uses  –

1-     For constipation & other – Take 2-3 spoon aloevera fresh or juice , add same quantity of water to it , then drink empty stomach in morning once a day with one aloevera capsule  after food . This drink will help in constipation ,control  diabetes ,depression ,control cholesterol levels and  triglycerides .

2-     Alovera drink should ideally be consumed on empty stomach .you can even try mixing equal quantities of aloevera juice with tulsi , Amla  and Giloy juice .

3-     Fresh Aloevera are more usefull other than packed Aloevera . The useful parts of Aloe are the gel and latex . The is obtained from the cells in the center  of the leaf , and the latex is obtained from the cells just beneath the leaf skin .Aloe latex contain chemical that work as a laxative .

Aloevera Side effect  –    (If Aloevera use as a medicine , always consult doctor  )

1.     Prolong use  of Aloevera for laxative effect may induce diarrhea and cramping and regular consumption of aloe  latex is known to cause gastro-intestinal problems .

2.     Aloe gel should not be given orally to children below 12 years of age, it may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea .

3.     The Aloe vera gel itself may not be safe for those taking certain prescription medication and may cause interactions .

Disclaimer –

       This content about Aloe-vera  is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice . please use  Aloe-vera  as medicine , consult doctor before use Aloe-vera .