Aloe vera is a cactus-like succulent plant with a clear healing gel in the leaves. There are many species of Aloe vera but the most commonly used is Aloe Barbadensis. Aloe vera is also known as Kumari in Ayurveda. It has many medicinal properties helpful in improving various ailments. Ayurvedic properties of Aloe vera are explained in the below shloka:

कुमारी शीतला तिक्ता मधुरा भेदनी जये। गुल्मप्लीयकृदद्धि कफचरहरी हरेत ग्रन्ध्याग्निदग्यविस्फोटपित्तरक्तत्वगामयान्॥ चक्षुध्या विधवातघ्नी बलकारका वृष्या रसायनी॥
वातपित्तकृमिहर कुमारी कफसुमं गुरु। - कै.नि औषधि वर्ग (1639-1640)

Aloe vera is Sita (cold) in potency, Tikta(bitter) in taste, and Bhedan (laxative) in nature. It is helpful in improving liver function. It provides beneficial results in burning sensations and other skin problems. Regular use of Aloe vera is also good for the eyes. It helps improve immunity which helps the body fight infection. This is due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) property. Aloe vera is also effective in Vata-Pitta-Kapha balancing and worm infestation.

One of the most effective uses of Aloe vera gel is to manage various skin problems like acne and blemishes. Aloe vera is also good for controlling dandruff and hair loss. Aloe vera juice when taken orally helps reduce constipation due to its laxative property. Aloe vera juice is also used to lose weight and manage diabetes.

It is advisable to avoid Aloe vera during pregnancy as it may increase uterine contractions which may lead to a miscarriage. In some cases, Aloe vera might cause stomach pain, diarrhea, and skin irritations[1][3].

What are the synonyms of Aloe vera3?

Aloe barbadensis Mill., Ghritkumari, Gheekumari, Khorpad, Gheekwar, Musabhar, Machambar, Ghritakalmi, Indian Aloe, Eliyo, Eariyo, Musabhar, Elva, Karibola, Lolesara satva, Lovalsara, Lolesara, Musabbar, Siber, Chenninayakam, Korphad, Musabara, Kalasohaga, Mussabar, Alua, Kattazhi, Satthukkathazhai, Musambaram, Musabbar, Ailiva, Siber[14][15]., syn

What is the source of Aloe vera3?

Plant Based

References

Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG.Aloe vera: A short review. Indian J Dermatol. 2008; 53(4):163–166.
Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G. Influence of Aloe vera on collagen characteristics in healing dermal wounds in rats.Mol Cell Biochem.1998;181(1-2):71–76.
WebMD.Aloe vera: Uses, Side effects, Interactions, Dosage [Internet]. Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
Dat AD, Poon F, Pham KBT, et al. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2012;(2):CD008762.
Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, et al. Moisturizers for acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2014;7(5):36–44.
Kumar KPS, Bhowmik D, Biswajit C. Aloe vera: A potential herb and its medicinal importance. J Chem Pharm Res.2010;2(1):21-29.
Foster M, Hunter D, Samman S.Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera.2nd edition.Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects.2011.
Mangaiyarkarasi SP, Manigandan T, Elumalai M, et al.Benefits of Aloe vera in dentistry. J Pharm Bioallied Sci.2015;7(1):255–259.
Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Bunyapraphatsara N, et al.Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice.Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus.Phytomedicine.1996;3(3):241-243.
Choudhary M, Kochhar A, Sangha J. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of Aloe vera L. in non-insulin dependent diabetics. J Food Sci Technol.2014;51(1):90–96.
Alinejad-Mofrad S, Foadoddini M, Saadatjoo SA, et al. Improvement of glucose and lipid profile status with Aloe vera in pre-diabetic subjects: A randomized controlled-trial. J Diabetes Metab Disord.2015;14(22):1-7.
Misawa E, Tanaka M, Nabeshima K, et al. Administration of dried Aloe vera gel powder reduced body fat mass in diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats.J Nutr Sci Vitaminol.2012;58(3):195-201.
Karim B, Bhaskar DJ, Agali C, et al. Effect of Aloe vera mouthwash on periodontal health: triple blind randomized control trial.Oral Health Dent Manag.2014;13(1):14-9.
WebMd.Uses for Aloe vera.[Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
Vardy AD, Cohen AD, Tchetov T.A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. J Derm Treatment.1999;10(1):7-11.
Grundmann O.Aloe vera gel research review: An overview of its clinical uses and proposed mechanisms of action.NMJ.2012;4(9)1-13.
Hajhashemi M, Rafieian M, Boroujeni HAR, et al.The effect of Aloe vera gel and sweet almond oil on striae gravidarum in nulliparous women.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med.2018;31(13):1703-1708.
Zarrintan A, Mobasseri M, Zarrintan A, et al.Effects of Aloe vera supplements on blood glucose level and lipid profile markers in type 2 diabetic patients – A randomized clinical trial.Pharmaceutical Sciences.2015:65-71.
Jones K.Dietary Aloe vera supplementation and glycemic control in diabetes.Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.2007.Gastroenterol.2014;20(39):14099-14104.
Zadeh JB, Kor NM.Component and application Aloe vera plant in medicine.International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research.2014;2(5):1876-1882.
Pothuraju R, Sharma RK, Rather SA, et al. Comparative evaluation of anti-obesity effect of Aloe vera and gymnema sylvestre supplementation in high-fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice.J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2016;5(4):403–407.
Rahmani AH, Aldebasi YH, Srikar S, et al.Aloe vera: Potential candidate in health management via modulation of biological activities.Pharmacogn Rev.2015;9(18):120-126.
Abdollahnejad F, Mosaddegh M, Nasoohi S, et al.Study of sedative-hypnotic effects of Aloe vera l. aqueous extract through behavioral evaluations and EEG recording in rats.Iran J Pharm Res.2016;15(1):293–300.
Ulbricht CE.Natural Standard:Herb and Supplement Guide, An Evidence Based Reference.Elsevier;2010.
Eckhardt BJ, Gulick RM.Infectious Diseases (4th edn).Elsevier.2017.
Rezazadeh F, Moshaverinia M, Motamedifar M.Assessment of anti HSV-1 activity of Aloe vera gel extract: an in vitro study.J Dent (Shiraz).2016;17(1):49–54.
Hashemi SA, Madani SA, Abediankenari S.The Review on Properties of Aloe Vera in Healing of Cutaneous Wounds.Biomed Res Int.2015;2015:714216.
Cowan D.Oral Aloe vera as a treatment for osteoarthritis: A summary.Br J Community Nurs. 2010 Jun;15(6):280-2.

Disclaimer

The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.

CONSULT A DOCTOR ONLINE