Herbs - Medicinal plants usage and Identification Data base

Aloe vera -kumari

Aloe vera -kumari

Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Family: Liliaceae; Agavaceae

Introduction:

Kumari is Vrsya, rasayan also hair tonic.

Names in different Indian languages

English Curacao Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Indian Aloe, Jaffarabad Aloe Hindi Ghikuamr, ghikumari Kannada Kathaligida Malayalam Kattuvala, kattarvala Sanskrit Kumara, ghrtakumari Tamil Sotru Kattraazhai, Kumaari. Moosaambaram Telugu Kalabanda Unani Gheekwaar, Sibr Folk Elwaa, Musabbar







Synonyms

Kanyaasaara, Eleyaka (dried juice of the leaves). Kumaari, Kumaarikaa, Kanyaa, Grihkanyaa, Ghritkumaarika , Sthula dala, Dirgha patra

Aloe vera Tourn. ex Linn.

Aloe indica Royle

Aloe littoralis Koening

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Charaka Susrutha Vagbhata





Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

1. A. barbadensis



2. A.chinensis .







Morphology

A perennial plant with a short stem.

Leaves— 30-60 cm long, erect, crowded in a basal rosette, juicy, glaucous- green, narrow lanceolate, long acuminate, margins with spiny teeth.

Flowers— yellow, in dense racemes.

Fruit – capsules



Distribution & Habitat

Cultivated throughout India.

Chemical constituents:

Acemannan, Aloe-Emodin, aloctin A (glycoprotein), aloenin (bitter glucoside), barbaloin, chrysophanol glycoside; galactose, mannose; aldopentose, aloesin, aloesone, I-sitosterol, alocutin A & B etc

Properties:

Rasa Tikta

Guna Guru, Snigdha, Pichila

Virya sita

Vipãka Katu



Karma Kapha-vãtahara, Caksusya, Vrsya, Brmhana, Rasayana, Bhedana

Purgative, emollient, anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,diuretic



Indications— Yakrtodara, Plihodara, Gulma, Granthi, Agnidagdha Vrana, Jvara, Tvak roga, sula, Vibandha,

ulcerative colitis, constipation, colic, skin disease, lumbago



Part Used— Leaves



Dosage— Fresh juice 10-20 ml; Aqueous Extract 100-300 mg

Srotogamitva:

Dosha : vata pitha samana

Dhatu :raktha

Mala :purisha

Organ :intestine











Important Yogas or Formations

Kumäryãsava, Rajahpravartani vati, Kumãrikã vati, Kumãri tailam.



Important research work going on



(1) anti-pruritic action

(2) Effect on healing of wounds in thermal burns and radiation injury

(3) Hypoglycaemic activity

(4) Ulcers

(5) effect on cytokine system

Therapeutic Uses—

(1) Pliha Vrddhi— Haridrã powder and juice of Kumäri are given

(2) Kamala — Kumãri svarasa as nasya (B.P.).

(3) Apasmãra— Ghee prepared with Yastimadhu Kvãtha and

Kumãri svarasa is useful (S.B.M.).

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