Aloe vera, also known as the ghritkumari, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in Northern Africa. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine.

Aloe vera’s use can be traced back 6000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the ‘plant of immortality’ it was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs. 

Description:- Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm  tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm  tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm long. Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to minerals and nutrients in the soil.

Cultivation:- Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively medicinal plant and due to its interesting flowers, form and succulence. This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low-water use gardens. The species is hardy in zones 8–11, although it is intolerant to very heavy frost or snow. The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though mealy bugs, scale insects and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health. In pots, the species requires well-drained sandy potting soil and bright sunny conditions.  Terracotta pots are preferable as they are porous. Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior tant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow, the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses. Large scale agricultural production of Aloe vera is undertaken in Australia, Cuba,  the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Kenya and South Africa, along with the USA  to supply the cosmetics industry with Aloe vera gel.

Biologically active compounds:- Aloe vera leaves contain a range of biologically active compounds, the best studied being acetylated mannans,    polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones &  anthraquinones, aloin and various lectins.

What It Is Used For:- Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal wounds and for various skin conditions, and orally as a laxative. Today, in addition to traditional uses, people take aloe orally to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteo-arthritis. People use aloe topically for osteo-arthritis, burns, and sunburns. Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions and sunblocks. It gives remedy for internal worms in children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aloe vera as a natural food flavoring.

How It Is Used:- Aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment. The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel can be used to produce a juice or a dried substance called latex that is taken by mouth.

 Aloe latex contains strong laxative compounds. Products made with various components of aloe (aloin, aloe-emodin, and barbaloin) were at one time regulated by the FDA as oral over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives. In 2002, the FDA required that all OTC aloe laxative products be removed from the U.S. market or reformulated because the companies that manufactured them did not provide the necessary safety data. Early studies show that topical aloe gel may help heal burns and abrasions. One study, however, showed that aloe gel inhibits healing of deep surgical wounds. Aloe gel does not prevent burns from radiation therapy.

Side Effects and Cautions:- Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects. Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea have been reported with oral use of aloe vera. Diarrhoea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe vera, can decrease the absorption of many drugs. People with diabetes who use glucose-lowering medication should be cautious in also taking aloe by mouth because preliminary studies suggest aloe may lower blood glucose levels.