Medicinal Herbs

Section 1

“Aloe Vera”

Ali Haissam El Tannir
201501432

Index

Introduction:
Aloe Vera is one of the ancient medicinal herbs. The use of this herb can be traced back to 6000 years in Ancient Egypt, it was known as known as “plant of immortality”; it was presented as gift to deceased Pharaoh.
The origin of the name is Arabic derived from the word ( alloeh). Aloe Vera is a plant ,which is native to North Africa and mainly grows in dry, rocky or exposed surfaces. It’s desert lilly known for it’s thick spiked long leaves that contain a yellowish gel like exudate.
There many uses for Aloe Vera, but there is also a lot of contradiction in the use of the plant; due to no
Aloin (bitter yellow exudate) and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
Emodin was found to be an anti-cancer agent, with a selective activity towards neuroectodermal tumors

Fatty acids Aloe Vera contains 4 plant steroids: cholesterol, campesterol, beta-sisosterol and lupeol. They have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also has antiseptic and analgesic properties.

Hormones The gel exudate contains Auxins and Gibberellins hormones, that contribute in wound healing and they also possess anti-inflammatory action.

Others
It provides 20 of the 22 the needed amino acids in the human body and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids . It also contains salicylic acid that possesses botj anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in ointment preparations, increase penetrative effect of other ingredients into the skin.
It also contains Saponins ,which are the soapy substances, they constitute about 3% of the gel; they posses cleansing and antiseptic