Herbs

Aloe Vera:

Other names:

This herb is also known by different names such as Cape, Curaiao, Barbados, Zanzibar aloe, and Socotrine.

Description of the herb:

This herb has fleshy, thick, and pointed leaves, which are dark green in color. The leaves of the herb are arranged in a circular pattern. A young aloe has red spots. In the summer, the plant grows yellow flowers.

Parts used:

Slimy aloe vera gel that is found inside the leaf after removing the outer layer of the leaf is very useful. This gel is then made into an extract after removing the water content from it. Another useful part of the herb is the juice that can be derived from the inside of aloe. This juice has a pulp consistency and it contains 50% of the gel. The yellow sour fluid from aloe leaf is dried to form a crystalline substance. This fluid then forms the base of a laxative. Aloin is the basic ingredient found in this fluid.

Properties:

This acidic herb has astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti fungal, antibacterial, and emollient properties. It helps to stimulate the uterus and to abolish parasites.

The biologically active compounds that can be found in the herb are saccharides, prostaglandins, and anthraquinones among others. The herb contains anthraquinones, which have a laxative effect. The herb also contains different saccharides. Fatty acids are very rarely converted to prostaglandins. Gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid found in the herb can be easily transformed to 1-series prostaglandins. The 1-series prostaglandins are very effective in minimizing inflammation and allergy. They also bring about blood clotting at wound sites and promote wound healing.

Aloe further constitutes enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and various other compounds like triglycerides, cholesterol, steroids, lignins, and uric acid.

Therapeutic uses:

Therapeutically, the herb is used as a laxative.

Internal uses:

Internally, aloe is used to treat digestive...