Aloe Vera is an evergreen  perennial, succulent, scrubby and  pea-green color plant. It grows in dry, tropical and semi-tropical climates throughout the world. The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with sharp edges.  The botanical name of Aloe Vera is  Aloe barbadensis miller. It consists of two substances: A clear  gel and its yellow latex; which are used to produce commercial products. The gel contains 99% water. It is used to manufacture different topical medications for various skin conditions like burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, dry skin etc. The yellow latex of Aloe may be ingested for relief of constipation. Aloe Vera gel is used commercially in different food products like beverages, yogurt and some desserts but take of high or prolonged doses or ingesting Aloe latex or whole leaf extract can be toxic. It’s topical use in small quantities is likely to be safe. Aloe Vera plant is also called magical plant and has been used for ages for its health, beauty, medicinal properties. Egyptian queens used Aloe Vera as part of their regular beauty regimes. It was used to treat soldier’s wounds. It was used  as a laxative in the United States, but in the mid-1930s, it was successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation dermatitis. At present, it has been used for different purposes in dermatology. You are lucky if you have an Aloe Vera plant in your home, you can extract it’s fresh gel directly and use it for various purposes. To make a facemask, apply fresh aloe vera gel on your skin and leave it on for 30 minutes. Your skin will look flawless and healthy instantly. You can apply it on cuts, burns, infection and rashes because the cooling properties of the plant help in soothing redness, infection, rash, and itchiness. It is a super remedy for sensitive skin.

Aloe Vera consists of 75 constituents such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids etc. It contains vitamin-A, C, E and B-12. Bradykinase (which is an enzyme present in alovera) helps to reduce excessive inflammation when topically applied on the skin. Several Minerals are also present in it which are essential for the proper functioning of various enzymes. Aloe Vera gives laxative effects as it carries 12 Anthraquinones found in latex which are basically phenolic compounds traditionally known as “Laxatives”. Aloe consists of 6 antiseptic agents which have inhibitory action on bacteria, viruses and fungi. It provides 4 plant steroids which are cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All those have anti-inflammatory action.

 The researchers compared the germ-preventing capacity of an Aloe Vera tooth gel with famous toothpastes. They find out that the gel was simply as good, and even better than the industrial toothpastes at controlling cavity-inflicting oral bacteria. Aloe latex  actively heal the wound and decrease pain due to their natural anti-inflammatory properties. It provides 20  human required amino acids and 7 out of 8 essential amino acids. It additionally carries salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, when included in topical preparations it enhances penetrative impact of the other elements into the skin. Saponins are soapy materials form approximately 3% of the gel. Use of Aloe Vera for the treatment of constipation have been approved by German agency. Dosages of 50 to 200 hundred milligrams of Aloe latex are usually taken in liquid or capsule form once daily for up to 10 days. Aloe Vera have such compounds which not only increased collagen content of the wound but also changed collagen composition and increased the degree of collagen cross linking. It moisturize dry skin, improved the skin integrity, decreases look of fine wrinkle, cure acne and reduces erythema.

Aloe Vera gel has been said to have a protective effect toward radiation harm to the skin. A study was conducted in a University examined  five exclusive topical creams to see how effective they are in shielding the skin of patients receiving radiation therapy. One of them contain Aloe. They divided 100 patients into 5 companies of 20 each become prescribed an exceptional topical remedy. They applied the creams two times daily, starting 15 days earlier than radiation therapy treatment, and carried on for one month afterward. The scientists mentioned that the preventive use of the topical hydrating creams reduced the incidence depended on source of skin side effects in the ladies treated with radiation therapy , none performed considerably higher. Besides these benefits of Aloe Vera it may cause harm in some conditions. It may cause redness, burning and itchiness in sensitive individuals. It is best to apply for a patch test for possible allergic reaction. Oral use of Aloe is discourage during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions. It may additionally lead to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, hepatitis, worsening of constipation and increase the risk of colorectal cancer. This article concludes that Aloe Vera is a very beneficial, medicinal plant and has wide spectrum of the properties and uses. It provides magical results and health benefits. It is the best moisturizer and commercially used in cosmetics. Aloe Vera constituents have potential to treat various diseases. However controlled studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Aloe Vera in Oral use. Randomized clinical trials are needed to know the full therapeutic potential of this amazing medicinal plant.

Written by: Qurat-ul-ain Ayesha