ALOEVERA CULTIVATION & PROCESSING

Name of the plant

Scientific name : Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Local name

English : Aloe barbadosaloe, Curacao aloe, Jaffarabad aloe and Indian Aloe

Hindi : Kunvar pathu and Gheekanvar

Sanskrit : Ghrit Kumari

Kannada : Lolesara

Tamil : Thazhai

Aloe leaves are used for medicinal and cosmetic uses.

In India, it is grown commercially for its high demand in cosmetic industries as well as in Indian System of Medicines. The succulent leaves are economic part of this plant. The characteristic bitter aloe juice from leaves is laxatic, stomachic, aphrodisiac, cathartic, emmenagogic, astringent, antidotal, anthelmintic and hepatic stimulant. The gel produced from mature leaves is used in cosmetic industry for preparation of shampoo, face creams and moisturising agents. Aloe gel is also given in fever, enlargement of liver, spleen and other glands, skin diseases, gonorrhoea, constipation, menstrual suppressions, piles, jaundice, rheumatic diseases, and for the treatment of burns and bruises.

Aloe barbadensis Mill. Popularly known as aloe, is perennial, shallow rooted and xerophytic plant of 30-60 cm height. The plant has triangular fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers, and fruits contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers: An inner clear layer of gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. The middle layer of latex contains bitter yellow sap and anthraquinones and glycosides.

The outer thick layer called as rind which has a protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind, there are vascular bundles which are responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem). Flowers vary from yellow to rich orange in colour and arranged in axillary spikes. Flowers have 6 stamens and a trilocular ovary. Most flowers are male or sterile with scarcely fertile pollens.

Aloe is originated from warm and dry climate of Africa. However, because of its wide adaptability as well as its importance as medicinal plant, it is well distributed throughout the world. History showed its importance that Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty package and Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat their soldiers’ wounds. It grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

In 16th century it is reached to India and inspired growers for commercial cultivation in many parts of the country due to its multifarious uses as; medicinal plant, vegetable, pickle purposes etc. In India, it is cultivated in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Aloe barbadensis Mill, popularly known as Aloe vera originated in the warm, dry climates of Africa. However, because of its wide adaptability as well as its importance as medicinal plants, it is well distributed.

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 plant is widely known in Asia and the Pacific, and is found in the folklore of the Japanese, the Philippines and the Hawaiians. The Spanish used Aloe, and carried it with them to their new world colonies in South America and the Caribbean. In each age, on each continent, in each culture. Aloe vera has drawn the attention of the most sophisticated minds.

In India, it is grown commercially for its high demand in cosmetic industries as well as in Indian System of Medicines. The succulent leaves are economic part of this plant. Aloe is know by several names in India such as Ghrit Kumari, Kunvar pathu and Indian Aloe. Its multifarious uses as medicinal plants, vegetables, pickle purposes etc. has inspired growers for commercial cultivation in many parts of the country. The gel produced from its mature leaves is used in cosmetic industry for preparation of shampoo, face creams and moisturizing agents.

The characteristic bitter taste of Aloe vera leaves possesses many medicinal properties. The leaves are alterative, stomachic, aphrodisiac, cathartic, emmenagogic, astringent, antidotal, anthelmintic and hepatic stimulant. After removing the skin of leaves, they are given in fevers, enlargement of liver, spleen and other glands, skin diseases, gonorrhoea, constipation, menstrual suppressions, piles, jaundice, rheumatic diseases, and for the treatment of burns and bruises.