[[File:Aloe vera.JPG|thumb|350px|left|Aloe Vera]]
Other Names: Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe Capensis, Aloe ferox, Aloe frutescens, Aloe Gel, Aloe indica, Aloe Latex, Aloe Leaf Gel, Aloe natalenis, Aloe Perfoliata, Aloe perryi, Aloe spicata, Aloe supralaevis, Aloe ucriae, Aloe Vera Barbenoids, Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe vera, Aloes, Aloès, Aloès de Curaçao, Aloès des Barbades, Aloès du Cap, Aloès Vrai, Aloès Vulgaire, Arborescens natalenis, Barbados Aloe, Burn Plant, Cape Aloe, Chritkumari, Curacao Aloe, Elephant's Gall, Gel de la Feuille d’Aloès, Ghee-Kunwar, Ghi-Kuvar, Ghrita-Kumari, Gvar Patha, Hsiang-Dan, Indian Aloe, Jafarabad Aloe, Kanya, Kumari, Latex d’Aloès, Lily of the Desert, Lu-Hui, Miracle Plant, Plant of Immortality, Plante de l’Immortalité, Plante de la Peau, Plante de Premiers Secours, Plante Miracle, Plantes des Brûlures, Sábila.<br>
Over the past 3,000 years, people from countries all over the world have given this plant nicknames like: The Silent Healer, Plant of Immortality, No Need of a Doctor, Man's Natural Medicine Cabinet, Pain's Natural Enemy, and Energy of Youth. Aloe is a plant originally from Africa. The long, green leaves contain ALOE GEL and a sticky yellow residue called ALOE LATEX.<br>Source of [[Anthraquinone]].
==Special Precautions of Aloe Vera==
*Menstruating or pregnant women should not use Aloe Vera, in any form, to relieve constipation
*Some people are allergic to Aloe Vera. So if you show a rash or have any other undesirable symptoms, don't use it.
*Aloe-emodin, aloin and aloe latex (all substances naturally present in aloe juice) are classified as anthraquinones, a type of powerful laxative. Since these substances may have toxic effects, medical experts typically avoid consuming aloe juice that contains anthraquinones.
* Contraindicated in intestinal obstruction, acute inflammatory intestinal diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), appendicitis and idiopathic abdominal pain.
* There's also some concern that drinking aloe juice may lower blood sugar levels and trigger gastrointestinal problems (such as abdominal cramping and diarrhea).
* Aloe latex : People with intestinal disorders should not use aloe latex.Overdose of aloe latex can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, red urine, severe diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, and possibly death.Aloe latex is not recommended for use internally for longer than 10 days, because it can cause laxative dependency. Long-term use of aloe latex may cause potassium deficiency and result in irregular heartbeat and weakness.
* Aloe gel : There haven't been problems reported with the use of aloe gel, other than occasional allergic reactions. More research on the safety of aloe needs to be done. Aloe gel should not be used for severe burns or wounds. People should seek medical attention.The safety of aloe in children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with liver and kidney disease has not been established.
* Aloe must be stabilized properly as a mannose digesting enzyme is activated when the plant is crushed.
==Pharmacological Activities==
Angiogenic, Antifungal, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Chemopreventive, Gastric mucosal protection, Hepatoprotective, Neuroprotective, Hypolipidaemic, Immunomodulatory, Immunostimulatory, Antimutagenic, Alloantigenic, Antileishmanial, Prevention of kidney stones, Radioprotective and W ound healing.
==The benefits of Aloe Vera are==
This plant is rich in over 300 nutrients that your body needs every day, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids, salicylic acid, etc. And the way these nutrients work in harmony is truly unique. You'd be hard-pressed to find anything else that grows naturally with this much beneficial potency. The use of Aloe Vera has been around for thousands of years. It has been used for both external and internal problems - skin rashes, burns, ulcers, internal bleeding. It also promotes bowel movements, which helps to relieve constipation.
* helps the body fight infections and malignant cells. It is also a detoxifier and an immunomodulator, meaning it will balance your immune system. One company, Mannatech, produces a stabilized aloe extract in pill form called Ambrotose. (See also : [[Immuno therapies]])
*an astringent, acts to tighten muscles, and has purgative and laxative action - dispels fecal matter that has collected in your colon. There are many aloe vera products to choose from. For best results, choose an aloe that is close to that of fresh organic aloe whole leaf.
*[[Varicose Veins]] : Swollen, irregular shaped veins called varicose veins found in legs commonly develop in women and cause much self-consciousness. Treatment of aloe vera together with tea tree oil combat varicose veins as they help in reducing redness, swelling, inflammation and discomfort from mild to moderate cases. Recommended aloe vera dosage is from 50 to 200mg per day in capsule for while tea tree oil is applied three to four times a day in the affected skin.
* natural blood booster. It cleanses arteries and is anti-inflammatory. It is also rich in amino acids, enzymes, chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals—all of which help build strong blood.
==Phytoconstituents==
Aloin (barbaloin), arabinose, aloe-emodin, aloetinic acid, emodin, aloeresin A–C, aloesone, aloeride and others
==Dosage==
Single dose of powdered Aloe, 50–200 mg at bedtime; tincture BPC 1949 (1:40, 45% ethanol), 2–8 ml. Aloes should only be taken for short periods, maximum 8–10 days. Doses of 10–30 mg act as a bitter stomachic; 60–200 mg as a laxative and 300–1000 mg as a purgative. A dose of 1 teaspoon after meals, or otherwise advised by manufacturers and practitioners has been reported. To prevent kidney stones, a dose of 2 to 3 tablespoon daily is reported. As a laxative, the recommended dose is 500 to 1000 mg daily. For burns or wound healing, fresh gel from plant may be applied topically and liberally. For haemorrhoids, as a stool softener, 0.05 to 2 g of dry aloe extract is administered. In the treatment of HIV, 800 to 1600 mg of acemannan daily (equivalent to 0.5 to 1 L of Aloe vera juice) is administered. To relieve constipation, 20 to 30 mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives daily, calculated as anhydrous aloin is prescribed.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:home remedies]]
[[Category:Astringent]]
[[Category:Mucilant]]
[[Category:Antilithic]]
[[Category:Antineoplastic]]
[[Category:Purgative]]
[[Category:Stomachic]]