Ghritkumari - Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) - Medicinal Properties, Benefits, Dosage

Aloe Vera, Ghritkumari, Aloe Barbadensis

Description of the Ghritkumari

Ghritkumari is a famous herb used in Ayurveda since long time ago. It is known with the scientific name, Aloe barbadensis. It belongs to the family liliaceae. It is perennial, xerophytic, shrubby and pea green colour plant. These stems are stout and thick. It grows up to 80 to 100 cm in length. The root system is of fibrous type. The plant has thick, lanceolate, fleshy leaves having sharp points. These leaves can grow up to 18 inches long and 2 inches wide. These are of green to grey green colour. The leaves are evenly long and of triangular shape. The leaves of the plant consists of three layers, inner layer has 99% water and other 1% is filled with biochemical. Middle layer is formed of latex, have yellow colour sap in it. Last is the outer layer, a thick layer made of 15 to 20 cells, protects the whole plant. The leaves of the plants are rich in water so it can survive for years and years. The leaves has spiky type margins. Flowers of the kumari is cylindrical, pendulous and of dense racemes. These are of yellow colour and long up to 2 to 3 cm. the roots of the plants are thick and fibrous. The plant fruits are of triangular shape and containing plenty of seeds in it.

General Description

Ghritkumari or Aloe barbadensis is famous with a name, Aloe vera. The word aloe vera derived from a word, known as Alloeh. Alloeh is an Arabic word which defines itself as a substance with shining bitter character. Vera is a Latin word which means true.

There are evidences that Ghritkumari is widely used since ancient times. Alexander and Christopher Columbus used aloe vera to treat wounds of the soldiers. Kumari is mentioned in ancient texts also such as in Vedas (600 BC), Samhitas (1500-600 AD), Nighantus and more.

The Ghritkumari plants consists of various active phytochemicals which shows great importance in providing relief from ailments.

Various Active Phytochemicals are as following:

Anthraquinone

There are about 12 anthraquinones. Aloin and emodine are from those 12 anthraquinones. These compounds enriched with anti-bacterial, anti-viral and analgesic properties.

Amino acids

It contains 20 amino acids which are required by humans and 7 to 8 essential amino acids. These amino acids known to provide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Carbohydrates

Ghritkumari consists of monosacchrides and polysaccharides.

Hormones

Hormones of Ghritkumari play vital role to treat various diseases. Some of the hormones are gibberellins and auxins. These have healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamins

Ghritkumari contains vitamins like A, C and E, folic acid, choline and B12. These nourish blood, body cells and to neutralize free radicals.

Fatty acids

Kumari provides four kinds of steroids. These are campesterol, lupeol, cholesterol and B sisosterol. These steroids have properties like analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

Inorganic components

These consists various minerals such as copper, selenium, magnesium, sodium and more. These are important in the various enzyme systems. These systems perform various metabolic functions and some of these act as antioxidants.

Enzymes

It consists of various enzymes like catalase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase cyclooxidase, cylooxygenase, lipase, oxidase, carboxypeptidase, carboxylase and superoxidase dismutase. These are essential in catabolism of fats and carbohydrates. One of the enzyme bradykinase helps to reduce severe inflammation when applied on the skin.

Classification

Kingdom - Plantae
Subkingdom – Tracheobionta
Superdivision - Spermatophyta
Division - Magnoliophyta
Class - Liliopsida
Subclass - Liliidae
Order - Liliales
Family - Aloeaceae
Genus - Aloe
Species - Barbadensis

Habitat

Ghritkumari is native to the Mediterranean region of North Africa, Canary Islands and Southern Europe. It is cultivated in USA, Mexico, Asia, southern Europe, Aruba, Bonaire, Bermuda, West Indies, the Bahamas, Central and South America. It spreads as wild in the coasts and coastal regions of south India. It also grows in parts of these cities, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat.

Ghritkumari Alternative Names

Sanskrit Name - Ghritkumari, Kumari, Gruha Kanya, Vipulasrava
English Name – Indian Aloe, Aloe Vera
Hindi Name - Guarpatha, Ghikanvar, Rambans
Malyalam Name - Kumara, Kattar Vazha
Marathi Name - Korphad, Kunvarpata
Bangali Name – Ghritkumari
Tamil Name – Chirukuttali
Gujrathi Name - Kunwar Path
Telugu Name - Chinna Kalabanda
Oriya Name - Kumara
Kannada Name - Lolisara

Ayurvedic Properties of Ghritkumari

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Tikta	Taste	Bitter
Guna	Guru, Snigdha, Pichhila	Physical Property	Heavy, Unctuous, Sticky
Virya	Sheeta	Potency	Cold
Vipaka	Katu	Metabolic Property (After Digestion)	Pungent

Ghritkumari Effects on Doshas

It helps to balances all three doshas.

Classical Categorization

There is no independent information regarding Ghritkumari observed in classical texts of Ayurveda.

In Samhitas – it is mentioned as a single drug and as one of the herbs used for making herbal formulations.

Acharya Sharangdhara explained one of the famous formulation of Ghritkumari in 13th century. It is known as Kumariasava.

Acharya Shodal introduced Ghritkumari in Nighantus in 14TH century.

Acharya Shodal described it as Kushthavinashini (drug destroy all kinds of skin diseases).

Acharya kaiyadeva mentioned kumari as rasayana means rejuvenator and vrasya means aphrodisiac.

Kaiyadeva nighantu encloses the benefits of Ghritkumari flowers. They specified the flowers as a vermicidal.

Practical Uses of Ghritkumari

It helps to stabilize blood sugar level, hence is good for diabetes.
It is helpful to cure burns and other skin disorders.
It give relief from wounds and ulcers.
It prevents growth of acne and moisturizes the skin.
It helps to treat fungus, insect bites, herpes, vaginal infections and allergic reactions.
Its juice is a tonic in conditions like jaundice, amenorrhea and piles.
It is antiseptic, helps to kill many of viruses and bacteria.
It helps to alkalize the body, balances acid production and treats constipation.
It prevents kidney stones, crohn's disease and IBS.
It also controls the levels of cholesterol and oxidative stress.

Parts Used

Leaves

Dosage

Leaf pulp – 1-3 grams
Fresh juice – 10-20 ml
Aqueous extract – 100-300 mg

Precautions

Avoid use in pregnancy and breast feeding.

Oral intake of aloe can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea sometimes.

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