Aloe is a genus of about 500 different species of medicinal herbs that have been used for thousands of years in folk medicine to heal a variety of conditions such us as skin irritations, wounds and constipation. The name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word “alloeh” which means “bitter substance” or “acrimonious substance” while “Vera” in Latin means “true.” Aloe Vera grows in arid regions mainly prevalent in Africa, India, and the Caribbean. Numerous studies have been undertaken to assess the use of Aloe extracts as medicinal products. Despite the contradicting opinions, Aloe Vera extracts are still used by a large number of communities around the world for healing and cosmetic purposes. The ensuing discussion looks at characteristics, growth habits, and scientific evidence supporting the use of Aloe Vera for medicinal purposes.
Characteristics of Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera plant has a short stem mainly containing lanceolate leaves that radiate in rosettes at the edge of each stem. The leaves form a long triangular sheaf with a rough green surface. Inside the leathery coating is the gel that gives Aloe Vera its versatile attributes. The tubular flowers, which are red or yellow, form around in dense clusters (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). The aloe plant only blooms once within a period of 10 to 25 years. Once the blooming process is complete, the plant produces a long stalk that can rise up to 40 feet (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). Aloe is placed in the botanical genus of the family Liliaceae, because it grows from an original bulb similar to that of Lilies. The wide range of species has led scientists to create a new botanical family referred to as Aloaceae.
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Aloes can be grouped based on dermatological and medicinal properties. Larger-sized Aloes with cosmetic value include Aloe ferox, Aloe Barbadensis, Aloe arborescens Miller. Aloe chinensis, Aloe saponaria, and Aloe succotrine contain curative properties. However, most Aloe types can possess both properties (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). Aloe Vera can also be classified based on the appearance of the trunk. There are three major groups including acauleas (those which lack a trunk), subcauleas (Aloes with a trunk that is reduced in size), and cauleas (Aloes with large and branched trunks). More than 200 important nutritional components have been found in Aloe Vera (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). Minerals include Calcium, Copper, Sodium, Iron, Zinc, and Manganese. Vitamins include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid. Enzymes include alkaline phosphate, Aliiaze, amylase, caboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulose, and lipase.
Growth Habit and Habitat demands
Aloe Vera does best in tropical and subtropical regions with arid climate. Such regions include Africa, India, and the Caribbean. Aloe Vera origins are traced back to the region around Cape Town in South Africa and Sudan (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). It is mainly grown commercially in southern regions of America, Mexico, Dutch Antilles, and coastal areas of Venezuela (Sahu & Giri, 2014). All variants of the Aloe Vera require coarse sandy loam soil with adequate levels of fertility. Studies in India have also indicated that it can do well in black cotton soils with high acidic pH (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). Aloe Vera generally does well in the open field, however, for indoor purposes containers filled with sand, compost and drainage material can be used for indoor cultivation.
Aloe Vera requires not less than 320 days of sunlight to do well, which prevents it from growing in regions with cold temperature. The plant should be cultivated in flat land. Perfect development of Aloe Vera requires that suckers be planted at distances of 20-30 cm from each other (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). The intervals provide adequate space to accommodate growth enlargement and distance for irrigation. The suckers should be planted in the months of July and August when water is at optimum levels to support growth and survival. One hectare of land requires about 30000 chumps (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). Irrigation and weeding are critical during the growth stage within the first year of planting. Close to all species of Aloe Vera are insusceptible to attacks by pests, insects, and plagues. The plant can be harvested within 3-4 years.
Folk Uses and Folk Lore
Aloe Vera has retained its medical properties and uses to human beings for centuries. The extraction and diversification of uses are the only practices that have evolved over time. The succulent stems were ground to produce a paste substance commonly used for cosmetic purposes in traditional communities in India (Sahu & Giri, 2014). Aloe Vera has also been known to be a treatment option for digestion ailments in China, Egypt, and India. Native and North African communities used Aloe Vera to treat a number of skin disorders and constipation. Communities in the Sheem District of Uganda believe that the plant contains elements that are effective in full therapy and adjunct therapy (Adams, Eliot, & Gerald, 2016). Old practices on Aloe Vera have been handed over to new generations, which have led to development of over-the-counter medications used for self-therapy and self-care. Locals use the substances as home remedies, dietary supplements, health, and functional foods.
History of Use
Aloe Vera has been used for medicinal and dermatological purposes for more than millennia in Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan, and China. Egyptians refereed to the plant as “the plant of immortality” due to its versatile uses (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). They were the first community to understand its capabilities fully. Scientifically, Aloe Vera is said to have been discovered by German Egyptologist Geroyfe Fbers in 1862 (Buriticá & Valencia, 2017). By then, different cultures had already incorporated Aloe Vera into their medical registries. Reports indicate that, India, China, and Tibet used it to treat skin conditions such as eczema and various forms of skin rashes. Actually, in the ancient Egypt, Aloe Vera was highly valued for use in medicinal needs. Cleopatra, famed for her beauty, used Aloe Vera as part of her daily beauty regimen. Notable personalities such as Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds (Sahu & Giri, 2014). The latter introduced the species into the new world, which later led to its wide adaptations into the cosmetic, medical, and food industries.
Notably, the true Aloe Vera bears a simple stem from which three branches emerge during the blossoming period. It has densely clustered small tubular yellow flowers. The Aloe Socotra is said to grow in areas of Red Sea (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). History shows that the natives drained its juice in the jug of water and drank it for treating stomach ulcers and intestinal irritations. They would chop it into gel form, and would consume it in tonic form (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). They would use for treating rheumatism and arthritis too. However, with time, new medicines were discovered and Aloe Vera was abandoned, until modern research has re-introduced it.
Scientific Data on Effectiveness
Pharmacists have proven that Aloe Vera boosts the immunity and detoxifies the system. Implementations in treating various diseases including type II diabetes, arthritis, eye diseases, tumors, spleen enlargement, and liver complications indicate the plants effectiveness as a medical supplement (Leech, 2020). Aloe Vera contains powerful antioxidants belonging to the polyphenols family. Combined with other compounds in Aloe, polyphenols act effectively against bacteria. Studies have also indicated that it is an effective tropical treatment for first and second degree burns. It reduces the healing time by around 9 days compared to other medications used on similar injuries (Leech, 2020). Aloe juice kills streptococcus mutans and yeast, candida albicans that cause oral infections. It also outperforms corticosteroids used for the treatment of canker sores and ulcers. Aloe’s latex helps in reducing constipation. Mucopolysaccharides, zinc, water and amino acids found in Aloe are utilized in dermatological treatments. Currently, varied research continues regarding the healing qualities contained in Aloe Vera. Notably, its healing properties are of tremendous interest to most people. A number of cosmetic manufacturers use its gel as an ingredient during the cosmological preparations (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015). Its ingredients have been seen as effective in treating burns, stomach ulcers, constipation, arthritis, indigestion, and complexion among others. In the recent scientific discovery, Aloe Vera has attracted considerable attention because of the jelly-like healing substance found in fleshy leaves (Mulu, Teshale, & Gemeda, 2015).
Conclusion
Considering the tendency of humans to rely on Aloe Vera as a medical remedy for more than millennia, the continued use of Aloe is recommended. As seen above, Aloe has numerous unique therapeutic properties, which are essential in treating a wide range of diseases such as type II diabetes and ulcers. A single Aloe leaf contains more than 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. The commercialization of Aloe Vera has enabled its incorporation into products that people use in their daily lives. Future scientific discoveries can provide promising uses of Aloe Vera to humankind. These active ingredients found in the bright green leaves of Aloe sooth human life and heal it in countless ways.
References
Buriticá, J. R., & Valencia, J. (2017). Growth of AloeVera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) basal shoots in companion planting systems. Agronomia Colombiana , 190-197. https://doi.org/10.15446/agron.colomb.v35n2.62653
Hekmatpou, D., & Mehrabi, F. (2019). The Effect of AloeVera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences , 1–9.
Leech, J. (2020). What are the benefits of AloeVera? Medical News Today . Retrieved March 20, 2020, from, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318591
Mulu, T., Teshale, F., & Gemeda, S. (2015). Medicated Evaluation of AloeVera: Overview on Characteristics and Application. Science and Education Publishing , 1-7. https://doi.org/:10.12691/jnh-3-1-1
Sahu, P., & Giri, D. D. (2014). Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of AloeVera: A Review. Pharmacology & Pharmacy , 1-13.
Adams, K., Eliot, T., & Gerald, A. (2016). Extent of Use of AloeVera Locally Extracted Products for Management of Ailments in Communities of Kitagata Sub-county in Sheema District, Western Uganda. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) , 1–15.
