Aloe Vera: An Ancient Remedy with Current Concept

Abstract

Aloe Vera plant has been known for 2000 years. Greek scientists regarded aloe Vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called the Aloe “the plant of immortality.” It is a member of liliaceae family. Among more than 300 species, the one with most medicinal property is Aloe barbadenis. The leaf of the plant has two different parts, the parenchymal tissue present in the inner layer produces Aloe Vera gel and the specialized cells present in the middle layer produce exudates that consist of bitter yellow latex with powerful laxative-like actions. Aloe Vera is known to have 75 known different ingredients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, anthraquinones, amino acids, sterols and water. The gelatinous substance inside the leaf is known to have many beneficial properties like moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiproliferative, and antioxidant, wound healing, pain relief, treatment of minor burns, abrasions and irritations and skin lesions.

Keywords: Aloe vera, aloein, aloegel glycoproteins, aloe-sap