Aloe (Ghrita Kumari), is one of the oldest  healing plants known to mankind from time immemorial. It is even described in the Bible for its healing properties. The virtues of the plant have been recorded by many great civilizations, from those of Persia and Egypt in the Middle East, to those of Greece and Italy in Europe, to those of India and the African continent. The first detailed discussion of Aloe’s medicinal value is probably that which is found in the Papyrusebers, an Egyptian document written about 1550 B.C. This document gives twelve formulae for mixing Aloe with other agents to treat both internal and external human disorders.

Plants of the genus Aloe belong to the old world and are indigenous to Eastern and Southern Africa, the Canary Islands and Spain. In course of time, the species spread to the Mediterranean basin and reached the West Indies, India, China and other countries in the 16th century. Certain species of Aloe are now cultivated for commercial purposes, especially in some of the West Indian Islands of the north coast of South America. It is also cultivated throughout India including our state Orissa.

Due to the multifarious uses of Aloe, it has drawn the attention of the most sophisticated minds and researchers.

CLASSIFICATION :

Aloe, a perennial succulent, belongs to the family Liliaceae. The genus Aloe contains around 275 species and out of which only 4 species are known as commercially important species that contain the main source of the drug aloe. The species are Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe vera toun ex Linn., A.ferox Mill. and A.perryi. However, Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera are very popular among the farmers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT :

It is a coarse looking, perennial,         shallow rooted erect plant. The height of the plants may attain up to a height of 60 cm. The plants have multiple tuberous roots and many supporting roots penetrating in to the soil. Aloe does not have a true stem but produces bloom-stalks. The plants generally grow close to the ground in a typical rosette shape. The leaves are fleshy in nature and are densely crowded, strongly cuticularized and have a spiny margin. The flowers are yellow to orange in colour and are arranged in auxiliary spikes. The plant produces very few viable seeds. Therefore, the plants are generally propagated by root-suckers or rhizome cuttings.

CONSTITUENTS AND USES :

The leaves are the economic parts of the Aloe plants. The extracts of the leaves are used in preparation of Ayurvedic drugs as well as in cosmetic preparations. The drug-aloe is obtained by cutting the leaves at their base and letting the yellow & bitter juice drain out. The juice turns to light to dark brown mass when the water is evaporated from the juice by heating. The leaves of the plant yields both the drug-aloe( also called aloin) and aloe gel.

Aloe(drug) contains cathartic anthraglycosides as its active principles; these are mostly C-glucosides and barbaloin. The concentration of these glucosides vary with the types of aloe ranging from 4.5 to 25% of aloin. The other constituents present in the leaves of the Aloe plants include aloesin and its aglycone aloesone, free anthraquinones and resins.

The gel of the leaves contains a glucomamman which is a polysaccharide. Other constituents reported are steroids, organic acids, enzymes, antibiotics, amino acids, biogenic stimulants, wound healing hormones, saponins and  minerals.

Fresh aloe gel is well known for its domestic medicinal values. The fresh gel has the property of relieving thermal burns and sunburns as well as promotes wound healing. The gel has also moisturizing and emollient properties. The gel is very much effective for skin. Therefore, aloe gel and sometimes the drug aloe are used in various cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations like cream, lotions and ointments for softening, soothing or moisturizing the skin. Aloin is also used in anti-obesity preparations. The pulp is taken internally for curing ulcers and intestinal ailments, sore throat, headache etc.