Aloe vera: a nature’s prodigy

Author: 
Aastha Vithalkar, Keshav Kaiwartya and Yashwant Kumar Patel

Aloe vera is a plant that resembles a cactus but is actually a member of the lily family. The Aloe plant comes in more than 300 different types, but Aloe barbadensis has the finest medical qualities. It possesses potent antibacterial, fungicidal, virucidal, and antiseptic effects. It stimulates cell development, calms the nervous system, and detoxifies the body. Others offer nutritional assistance, others boost tissues' capacity for regeneration, while yet others have anti-inflammatory effects. Herbal medicine has been utilised extensively around the world and was a crucial component of primary healthcare in many nations, including India. In many parts of the world, especially in underdeveloped nations where traditional medicine is relied upon to preserve human and animal health, using medicinal plants to cure illnesses is an old practise. Taking note of this, the WHO set up a policy pushing its member nations to promote and incorporate traditional medicine within their respective national health care systems. The nutritional, therapeutic, and skin-care benefits of the aloe vera plant have been well-known and utilised for generations. Aloe Vera is a member of the Xanthorrhoeaceae family and grows to a height of around 60 to 100 cm. It has long, stemless leaves or very short stems. Numerous vitamins, including vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folic acid, may be found in aloe vera gel. Fatty acids and sugars are among the key elements found in aloe vera gel. In addition to acting as an antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory agent; aloe vera , known as the "wonder plant," aids in the relief of conditions including malignancy and diabetes. It is well recognised to actively repair the damaged skin cells that create the outward indications of ageing and can help slow down the development of wrinkles. Aloe Vera has been applied topically to treat a variety of skin issues, including burns and wounds. It is credited to its extremely successful, low-side-effect therapy.

Paper No: 
4342