INDIAN ALOE (कुमारी) in Ayurveda -Home remedies, Medicinal uses & Chemical Contituents

INDIAN ALOE (कुमारी):

Indian aloe/ aloe is a commonly used herb in Siddha and Ayurveda due to its therapeutic efficiency. It is an inevitable herb in every Indian garden. History reveals that Queen Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti (Queens of Egypt well known for their beauty) included Aloe in their beauty regimens. In Ayurveda texts, Aloe is called as ‘Kumari’ which denotes a young woman, mainly due to its efficiency in curing problems related to the menstrual cycle. References on the therapeutic effect of aloe dates back to the Vedic period especially in diseases of the reproductive system, liver and for worm infestations .

Botanical Name	Aloe vera L
Family	LILIACEAE
English Name	Indian Aloe,Barbados
Sanskrit Name	कुमारी Kumari
Tamil Name	கற்றாழை Kat-ra-zhai, குமரி Ku-ma-ri
Malayalam Name	കറ്റാർവാഴ
Part Used	Leaf Pulp

Therapeutic attributes or Rasa Panchaka:

Initial taste(Rasa)	Bitter(Tikta),
Quality(Guna)	heavy (Guru),Slimy(Picchila)
Heating or cooling effect(veerya)	cooling effect(sheeta)
Post digestive effect(Vipaka)	Hot(Katu)
Special action(Prabhava)	Nil

Medicinal Uses:

There is a broad spectrum usage of Aloe in Ayurveda especially in gynecological disorders like painful or scanty menstruation (regularize the flow). Researches have proved the anti-inflammatory and anti-septic effect of aloe, which makes it effective in treating wounds, burns and skin diseases¹. It also shows anti-ageing properties and is good for liver disorders^2. Its succulent leaves are useful for removing skin tans and also for dehydration of skin (as a moisturizer)^3.. It is known to be helpful for Diabetics as it lowers the blood glucose levels and also aids in their wound healing^5. Under a physician’s prescription, purified aloe pulp can be taken for constipation. Moreover it improves the functioning of the body’s immune system (immune-modulatory property) and also prevents cancerous growth⁶.

Chemical constituents:

C-glycosides,(barbaloin & isobarbaloin) and aloe-emodin are the major constituents⁴.

Commonly used formulations containing Aloe

Kumaryasava
Rajapravartini Vati
Valiya Chandanadi Tailam
Annabhedi sindooram etc

Home Remedies:

1) The Aloe leaf is slit and methi leaves are placed inside it and kept aside for some time, till the methi leaves absorb the gel and the sprouts. A fine paste made out of this mixture can be applied to the scalp and left for 1 hour. It shows great results in Dandruff and gives conditioned hair³.

2) Leaf juice extracted from leaf pulp is mixed with three times oh honey and taken in empty stomach to regulate menstrual flow and reduce the pain³.

3) Paste of Aloe pulp and 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder when applied cures nail bed infection.

Disclaimer:

We have tried to provide the essence of the Vedas and Ayurveda Scriptures by interpreting meaning of the text in English through research & investigation. We have used the modern terminologies & technical words of the latest science to give the readers a better understanding and assimilation. If found any errors, kindly bear with us & help us rectify.

Kindly request you not to get into self medication with minimal knowledge, always consult a physician before any medication.

Sources and References.

Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Aloe vera: A Review

by Pankaj K. Sahu , Deen Dayal Giri , Ritu Singh , Priyanka Pandey , Sharmistha Gupta , Atul Kumar Shrivastava , Ajay Kumar , Kapil Dev Pandey Department of Botany, Dr. C.V. Raman University, Bilaspur, India;