Aloe vera has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has a long history of use in Egypt, Greece, India and other cultures. Modern research has studied aloe vera's potential health benefits and active compounds. According to the document, aloe vera contains vitamins, enzymes, minerals and other compounds that may provide benefits such as healing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. The document reviews aloe vera's proposed uses, mechanisms of action, side effects and facts. It concludes that while aloe vera has a long history of medical use, the scientific evidence for both its effectiveness and safety is mixed and requires further research.

1. Aloe VeraAloe barbadensis
Ghritkumari
By- Navneet Shally
14111022

2. Content
• Introduction
• History
• About
• Anatomy
• Biological activities
• Mechanism of action
• Clinical uses
• Anecdotal uses
• Side effects
• Some facts
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.
The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,”
while “vera” in Latin means “true.”
The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.”

4. * Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan and China.
* By Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra
* Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used it to treat
treat soldiers’ wounds.
* The first reference to Aloe vera in English was a translation by
John Goodyew in A.D. 1655 of Dioscorides’ Medical
treatise De Materia Medica.
* Used as a laxative in the United States(1800)
* But in the mid-1930s, a turning point occurred when it was
successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation
dermatitis.
History
Source: http://www.aloefresh.co.nz/history-of-
aloe-vera.html

5. • Botanical name- Aloe barbadensis
miller.
• Family- Asphodelaceae
• Height- as 2 and a half inches to 4 feet
• No. of leaves- 12-16
• Weight of leaves- 3-4 pounds
• No. of species grown- 250 ,
commercially grown – 2 only(Aloe
barbadensis Miller and Aloe
aborescens )
• Arean where grown- in warm
tropical areas and cannot survive
freezing temperatures
• Texture of plant- grow from the
base in the rosette pattern
• Harvesting-every 6 to 8 weeks by
removing 3 to 4 leaves per plant
• Other porperties- shrubby or
arborescent, perennial, xerophytic,
succulent, pea- green color plant.Source: ncbi

6. Source: http://www.naturalhealers.com/holistic-
health/aloe-vera-ultimate-guide/#products

7. anatomy
• Triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated
edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits
that contain numerous seeds.
• Each leaf is composed of three layers
• Inside the rind are vascular bundles
responsible for transportation of
substances such as water (xylem) and
starch (phloem).
Source:

8. Active components
Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants
Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and
peroxidase.
Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose).
Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives.
Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol
Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins
Source: ncbi

9. Biological activities
1.Healing properties
2.Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation
3.Anti-inflammatory action
4.Effects on immune systme
5.Laxative effect
6.Anti viral and anti tumor
7.Anti septic
8.Moisturizing and anti-aging
9. Aids in digestion Source: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-
3049/13/8/1599/htm

10. Healing properties
Source: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-
3049/13/8/1599/htm

11. Moisturizing and anti aging
Fibroblasts
Collagen
More elastic and
less wrinkled skin
Effects
epidermal cells
Cells stick
together
Softens skin
Mucopolysac
charides
Provides
moisture
Source: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-
3049/13/8/1599/htm

12. Clinical uses
A. Uses based on scientific evidence: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always
been proven.
Conditions: Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, genital herpes, skin burns, diabetes (type 2), HIV infection, cancer prevention,
ulcerative colitis, wound healing (results of aloe on wound healing are mixed with some studies reporting positive results and others
showing no benefit or potential worsening), pressure ulcers, mucositis, radiation dermatitis, acne vulgaris, lichen planus,frostbite,
aphthous stomatitis, and constipation.
B. Uses based on tradition or theory: The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been
thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven.
Conditions: Alopecia, bacterial and fungal skin infections, chronic leg wounds, parasitic infections, systemic lupus erythematosus,
arthritis and tic douloureux.
Source: ncbi

13. • Hair conditioning
• Skin inflammation
• Psoriasis
• Skin firmness and tone
Anecdotal uses & Products
• Aloe vera juice
• Aloe vera gel
• Aloe vera powder
• Aloe vera concentrate
• Aloe vera capsules
Source: http://www.naturalhealers.com/holistic-
health/aloe-vera-ultimate-guide/#products

14. Side effects
Topical: It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions
are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a small area first to test for possible allergic
reaction.
Oral: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation. Prolonged use has been reported to
increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels).
Contraindication: Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions,
and in breastfeeding mothers, it may sometime causes gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant.
Interactions: Application of aloe to skin may increase the absorption of steroid creams such as hydrocortisone. It reduces the
effectiveness and may increases the adverse effects of digoxin and digitoxin, due to its potassium lowering effect
Source: ncbi

15. Some facts
Source : http://www.naturalhealers.com/holistic-
health/aloe-vera-ultimate-guide/#products

16. It is found in many consumer products including beverages, skin lotion, or ointments for minor
burns and sunburns. There is little scientific evidence of the effectiveness or safety of Aloe
vera extracts for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes. Studies finding positive evidence are
frequently contradicted by other studies. A. vera has a long history as a medicinal plant with
diverse therapeutic applications and as said by egyptians it can be surely considered as ‘a plant of
immortality’.
Conclusion