ALOES

ALOES

Synonyms Aloe, Musabbar, Kumari.

Biological source :

Aloes is the dried juice of the leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller, known as Curacao aloes; or of be perryi Baker, known as Socotrine aloes; or of Aloe ferox Miller and hybrids of this species with be africana Miller and Aloe Spicata Baker, known as Cape aloes, belonging to family Liliaceae.

Geographical Source

Aloes is indigenous to eastern and southern Africa and grown in Cape Colony, Zanzibar and islands of Soebtra. It is also Cultivated in Caribbean islands, Europe and many parts of India, duding North West Himalayan region.

 Preparartion of Aloe

Barbados or Curacao aloes: It is prepared in islands of Aruba and Bonaire in West Indies. is the transverse cuts near the bases of the fleshy leaves of Aloe barbadensis, the cut leaves led along the sides of V-shaped wooden troughs. Because of the spines on the leaves, they are put into kerosene tins immediately after cutting and then brought to wooden troughs and kept in ring protection from will positions, to drain out all the juice. The juice Collected by this way is allowed to boil in large copper pans . During boiling, the latex evaporates and juice is further thickened. The thick juice is poured into gourds or metal containers where it hardens. It is brought in market under the name Barbados or Curacao aloe.

Cape aloes: It is obtained from Aloe ferox and its hybrids in South Africa. The transversely cut leaves  are arranged in a circular manner in the basin shaped depression, dug in the ground which is lined either with goat skin or canvas. The leaves are placed in such a way so as to overlap out ends. They are kept in this position for 5 - 6 hours, till all the juice exudes out and is collected in goatskin.

The collected juice is transferred to large iron kettle where it is boiled and stirred continuously the help of a wooden paddle type instrument. When the boiling juice attains a desired concentration, it is poured into wooden cases. It becomes a solid mass which is brought into commerce under the name of Cape aloe.

Socotrine aloes: It is prepared from Aloe perryi occurring in island of Socotra and mainland East Africa. The juice of the leaves is collected in goat skin and allowed to become semisolid in are it is exported in a pasty Condition under the name of Socotrine aloe.

iv) Zanzibar aloes: The origin of this variety is not correctly known and sometimes, it is also led simply as a variety of Socotrine aloe. The juice is poured into skins of some small carnivorous animals, where it solidifies and as such packed in wooden boxes. Zanzibar aloe is also sometimes, called as monkey-skin aloe, although the skin is not that of monkeys.

Uses

1.      Aloes is used as a purgative. Its effect is mainly on Colon. It has a stronger purgative action in the series of all crude drugs with anthracene glycosidal content. To Counter effect the gripping action, it is given with carminatives.

2.      Aloin is preferred now-a-days to aloes, both of which are official. Besides purgative property, bes enjoys many other uses. It is an ingredient of compound tincture of benzoin (Friar's balsam).

3.      Aloe gel, formed in inner parenchymal cells of the leaf, is a slightly viscous and clear liquid. During collection, it should not get contaminated with aloe juice. Such gel is used in topical therapeutic applications and also in many cosmetic products, but the therapeutic value, if taken ally, is questionable. The gel possesses good moisturizing properties and also has formulation role oil in water (approved by U.S.F.D.A.) preparation. It shows anti-inflammatory properties due to he chemical contents like salicylates, carboxypeptidases (inactivating bradykinen) and magnesium date (interfering with the conversion of histidine to histamine in the mast cells). The polysaccharide and sugar content have the role for hydrocolloid dressing and also osmotic bactericides. Aloe gel also increases the removal of dead tissue due to its Aloctine - A Content which stimulates macrophage production. It is believed that only fresh gel probably has a role in treatment burns and wounds.

4.      It is also used in the treatment of pains and itchings and also to slow down ulceration and atosis, Aloe gel is used in skin cosmetics as a protective due to its antiwrinkle properties. Aloe is also used externally for painful inflammation.