Aloe vera
| Cultivation | Food Preservatives | Medicinal Uses | Cosmetic Uses | Parts Used | Use in Foods |
| Aloe vera | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Aloe vera |
Aloe vera (syn. A. barbadensis Mill., A. vulgaris Lam.) is a species of Aloe, native to northern Africa. It is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 80–100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm long.
//Cultivation
Aloe vera is relatively easy to care for in cultivation in frost-free climates. It requires well-drained sandy potting soil in moderate light. It may not be eaten naturally. If homegrown ensure sufficient drainage. Use a good quality potting mix with perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand added. Pre-packaged 'cacti and succulent mixes' may also be used. Plants should be allowed to completely dry before watering. A. vera may become dormant in wintertime, little moisture is required. It will not tolerate frost or snow.
Aloe vera has a long history of cultivation throughout the drier tropical and subtropical regions of the world, both as an ornamental plant and for herbal medicine. For its herbal and medicinal uses, many of which are shared with related species, see Aloe.
Food preservative
The University of Miguel Hernández in Alicante, Spain, has developed a gel based on Aloe vera that prolongs the conservation of fresh produce, such as fresh fruit and legumes. This natural product is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic preservatives such as sulfur dioxide. The study showed that grapes at 1°C coated with this gel could be preserved for 35 days against 7 days for untreated grapes. It operates by forming a protective layer against the oxygen and moisture of the air and inhibiting, through its various antibiotic and antifungal compounds, the action of micro-organisms that cause foodborne illnesses.
Medicinal uses
Aloe vera's beneficial properties may be attributed to mucopolysaccharides present in the inner gel of the leaf, especially acemannan (acetylated mannans). An injectable form of acemannan has been approved in the USA for treatment of fibrosarcoma (a type of cancer) in dogs and cats after clinical trials. It has not been approved for use by humans, and, although it is not a drug, its sale is controlled and it can only be obtained through a veterinary doctor.
Cosmetic companies
add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, shampoos and lotions. Aloe vera gel is also useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin. Most suppliers, however, degrade the polysaccharides during processing.
An article published in the British Journal of General Practice suggests that Aloe vera is effective at treating athletes foot.
Aloe vera juice may help some people with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. Side effects can occur and consulting a doctor before ingesting any form of aloe vera, including aloe vera juice, is highly recommended.
Parts that can be used
The 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 vera latex—the yellow substance that comes from the inner side of the skin—can be highly irritating both externally and internally. Some people who have reported adverse effects from Aloe vera may be ingesting or applying this latex. Carefully removing all skin and any yellow substance before using Aloe may avoid such adverse effects. Gel used should be completely clear, odorless and tasteless. It is also good for treating eczema .
Use in Foods
In Japan Aloe Vera is used as an ingredient in yogurt. There are also many companies which produce Aloe Vera beverages.
In some parts of early India, now Pakistan, the plant has been used as a digestive aid. The dried gel is mixed with various herbs and consumed after a meal.
Pashtuns in the Hazara regionhave been using Aloe Vera for centuries to improve physical endurance, probably due to the high nutrient content of the gel.
People in Rajasthan, Indiaprepare vegetable out of Aloe Vera with fenugreek seeds.
People in tamil Nadu prepare a curry using Aloe Vera which is taken along with bread and rice.
Some popular drinks contain Aloe Vera. In Mexico smoothies made out of Aloe Vera are common
In South Korea Aloe Vera is an ingredient in a popular soft drink called Aloe drink.
More photos below
Notes
The natural gel like flesh of the aloe plant can be applied on herpes infections for instant symptomatic relief. sources report anti fungal + anti bacterial + anti viral properties of the aloe plant.
