What is aloe vera?

Description: Aloe Vera, a perennial succulent belonging to the lily family, is a well known herbal medicine with multiple names, such as `The First Aid Miracle Plant', `The Burn Plant', etc. But the legitimate botanical name is `Aloe Barba-densis, Miller'.

Biochemistry: The active substances of Aloe Vera are found in the leaves which are composed of the rind, juice and a gel-like substance, the pulp. The active substances are polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, yellow sap (Aloin, or anthraquinones) and Barbaloins (a glycoside), etc. The pulp of Aloe Vera is composed of 96% water and 4% polysaccharides and other substances.

Physiology: In general, Aloe Vera has the following characteristics: Anti-microbial activity (viral, fungal and bacterial); healing activity, it helps the body in sloughing off dead tissues and stimulates the growth of new cells with little scar formation (e.g. burns); analgesic and anti-pruritic effects (arthritis); astringent effect (cosmetics); anti-inflammatory action (e.g. bee stings).

Indications: Aloe Vera has been found to be useful in the treatment of first or second degree burns, acne dandruff, allergic lesions, `Poisons Three' (Sumac, Oak, and Ivy), bites and stings, minor cuts, herpes (simplex and zoster), etc.