Botanical name:Aloe Vera.
Common name: Aloe.
Vernacular name: கற்றாழை Kat-ra-zhai, குமரி Ku-ma-ri.
Useful parts: Succulent leaves.
Description of the plants medicinal uses by Sage Agasthiya’s in his text Patharthaguna Chinthamani.
அகத்திய முனியின் பதார்த்த குண சிந்தாமணி என்கிற நூலில் அணைத்து பதார்த்தங்களுடைய குணங்களை விரிவாக கூறியுள்ளார் , அவையிலிருந்து சில பாடல்களை எடுத்துக்காட்ட முயற்சிக்கிறோம்.
கற்றாழையின் குணம்
பொல்லா மேகங்கபம் புழுச்சூலை குஷ்டரச
மல்லார் மத்தம்பகந் தரங்குன்ம – மெல்லாம்விட்
டேகு மரிக்கு மெரிச்சற் கிரிச்சரமு
மாகு மரிக்கு மருண்டு.
(இ .ள்.) நறுங்கற்றாழைக்கு வாதமேகம் கபமேகம்கிருமிக்குற்றல் பெருவியாதி மூலம் உன்மாதம் பகந்தரம் வயிற்று நோய் தினவுள்ள பித்தகிரிச்சரம் இவைகள்போம் குமரி கற்றாழை.
Medicinal uses: 
Aloe is a plant which is already well placed in the market, even though there are overwhelming information in the internet, here are few traditional ones. Aloe finds its immense purpose in Siddha medical system right from purification of raw materials for medicine preparation to finished product internal consumption. Well known use of Aloe is detoxification properties; Siddha medical system emphasizes its efficacy in rejuvenating the body. Siddha system hence calls aloe by the term “குமரி” Kumari which means “young”. It is used extensively against skin problems such as rashes, psoriasis, sun burns, itches and fungal infections. Internal usage of Aloe helps to solve gastro intestinal dysfunctions, enhances protein digestion, irritable bowel syndrome and also prevents colon cancer. It is a very natural medicine for hemorrhoids or piles by both for external application and for internal consumption. It can also be used as a natural hair conditioner and as anti- dandruff gel. Aloe also heals mouth ulcer, to be true these are only few hints there are many unrecognized purposes as well.
Home remedy:
Every home must have an Aloe as it’s easy to grow and maintain. Moreover rather than preserved or derivative products may contain preservatives, so better use widely available natural resource of Aloe. Can be used to apply for sun burns, rashes, Hair fall, natural hair conditioner.
Sources:
- Whole-Leaf Aloe Vera, Almost A Panacea By Bruce Eric Hedendal, D.C., Ph.D. An Overview of One of the Most Accepted, Yet Misunderstood, Medicinal Plants in History.
- Aloe vera : A Potential Herb and its Medicinal Importance K. P. Sampath Kumar , Debjit Bhowmik, Chiranjib , Biswajit.
