Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

International Journal of Natural Therapy

2009, Volume 2, pp.21-26

Review

Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

M. IMRAN QADIR*

Summary: Aloe vera belongs to the family Liliacae, and is commonly

called Quargandal, Ghritkumari, Gheekvar, katraazhai or kumari. It is
widely used in medicines. It has been used to treat constipation, burns,
genital herpes, dandruff, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease,
asthma and epilepsy. With the improvement in cosmetology, it has been
proved that Aloe vera is a very important component of cosmetics.
Received: 21-09-2008; Accepted: 23-12-2009.

From College of Pharmacy, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

*Correspondence: M. Imran Qadir,
Assistant Professor,
College of Pharmacy, GC University,
Faisalabad, Pakistan
mrimranqadir@hotmail.com

Aloe vera is a plant with height of and it contains many minerals vital to the
almost 60–100 cm containing very short growth process and healthy function of all
stem or stemless long leaves, and belongs the body's systems. Aloe vera contains
to the family Liliacae. In Pakistan, the protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
plant is known as Quargandal and in vitamins A, B12 C, E and essential fatty
India, the plant is known as Ghritkumari acids. Numerous studies worldwide
or Gheekvarand in Tamil naadu, Aloe vera indicate that Aloe vera is a general tonic
is known as katraazhai and it has also a for the immune system, helping it to fight
pet name kumari. It is cultivated in tropical illness of all kinds. Various research
and subtropical areas of the world. It is studies are underway to explore the
utilized as a decorative plant as well as for potential of Aloe vera components to boost
herbal medication. Diagrammatic immunity and combat the HIV virus, and
Representation of Aloe vera is given in to treat certain types of cancer particularly
figure 1. Its products are available in the leukemia. When Aloe vera is used
form of spray, cream, gel, lotion and externally, almost no adverse effects are
capsule and liquid [1]. seen. Oral use of Aloe vera may cause
colic and diarrhea. have been reported
MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE with oral use of aloe vera. The purgative
Aloe vera is one of the only known property of the plant may reduce the
natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, absorption of other drugs.

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 Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

Figure 1: Diagrammatic Representation of Aloe vera

Aloe vera is widely used in used widely for the purpose [8,9].
medicines. The use of Aloe vera in the
Osteoarthritis
treatment of different diseases is given
here briefly. Aloe vera is used topically for
osteoarthritis, and sunburns. Pain in the
Constipation joints and muscles due to arthritis may be
Aloe is very useful for destroying treated by using Aloe vera sprays or gels
the micro-organisms in the last part of [10,11].
large intestine and have the capability to
Lungs Cancer
overcome the problem of constipation.
Juice of Aloe vera may also be used in Aloe vera is the only food from
treating inflammatory bowel disease [2,3]. plant sources that protect lung cancer
[12,13]. The aloe can help to prolong time
Burns of survival and to stimulate the immune
Aloe vera plant has been implied system of the patient of cancer [14,15].
for years to treat burns holistically. For the
Diabetes
treatment of burns, the pure gel, either
from the fresh leaves of a healthy plant or It also decreases blood sugar level
from a trustworthy company may be used. in hyperglycemic patients. For this
Keep in mind that Aloe vera liniment is
purpose, its juice is taken twice daily
not used as the liniments have been
formulated to create heat that may again [16,17]. Aloe vera has also been proven
cause problem to the burn [4,5]. Its effective for use with diabetes which
liniment is used for muscle problems. pregnant women are often plagued with;
Genital Herpes taking aloe vera daily can help to prevent
Extract of Aloe vera is used for the gestational diabetes.
treatment of genital herpes [6,7]. Aloe vera Ulcer and Heartburn
juice mixed with fruit juice may be taken
Juice from Aloe vera is very
daily for chronic viral infections.
effective for ulcers, heartburn and other
Seborrheic Dermatitis (Dandruff) digestive disorders. Recent research has
identified that Aloe vera may also be used
Aloe vera lotion is used for treating
for children [18,19].
seborrheic dermatitis. It is also an
excellent treatment for the hair care. Aloe Anti-inflammatory Agent
vera hair conditioners and shampoos are
The orally given juice of Aloe vera

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 Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

may be used for inflammation. It may also Cosmetology are being explained here
enhance white blood cell activity and briefly.
promote production of interferon-specific
Pigmentation
immunoactive proteins released by blood
cells in response to viral infections Melanin is a pigment which is
[20,21]. responsible for the color of the human
skin. Hyper pigmentation is a situation in
Obesity which large amount of melanin is
Aloe vera is very useful to synthesized. This generally happens due to
overcome the problem of obesity. Aloe excess exposure of the skin to the sun. In
vera breaks down the fat globules so that reaction to UV rays in sunbeams, the skin
triglycerides, total cholesterol and blood cells called melanocytes initiate to
fat lipid levels are decreased resulting in synthesize melanin. This increased
decrease in body weight [22,23]. synthesis of melanin is responsible for the
emergence of darkened patches on the
Asthma and Epilepsy
skin. Aloe vera has the property of
Asthma and epilepsy may be diminishing the pigmentation and dark
treated with Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera in spots on the face [28,29].
form of inhaler may be used as a
decongestant. Sinus conditions may also Skin Eruption
be controlled by using Aloe vera orally Aloe vera containing creams are
[24,25]. beneficial for skin eruptions. Aloe vera
gels have been proved to be the best
HIV Infection
remedy for burns and wounds. Actually,
Acemannan, a component of Aloe cellular regeneration, anti-bacterial and
vera gel, has been shown to have immune- anti-fungal activities of Aloe vera make it
stimulating and anti-viral activities. An useful for skin eruption [30,31].
extract of mannose from Aloe inhibit HIV.
HIV were treated in vitro and they showed Sclap and other Skin Problems
reduced reproduction by as much as Aloe vera is very valuable for skin
30% [26,27]. disorders. It may also be used for the
treatment of scalp, stings, sprains,
COSMETOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE sunburns, eczema, sore muscles, arthritis,
Cosmetology is the study of scrapes, cold sores, scalds, abrasions,
cosmetics and their uses and cosmetics are psoriasis, bruises, etc [32,33].
the preparations externally applied to Itching and Blisters
change or enhance the beauty of skin, hair,
Aloe vera also provides relief from
nails, lips, and eyes. Aloe vera has been
itching and also helps to treat blisters.
used since ancient times for healing
Aloe contains vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12 and
infection and burns. However with the
improvement in cosmetology, it has been vitamin C that provide soothing and
proved that Aloe vera is a very important pleasing sensation to skin [34,35].
component of cosmetics. It contains Skin Aging
almost 20 amino acids, minerals like
Aloe vera initiates the synthesis of
calcium, magnesium and sodium in
elastin as well as collagen. These proteins
sufficient quantities, enzymes, vitamins,
are essential for preventing the aging of
polysaccharides, nitrogen and other
the skin [36,37].
components that make it a miracle beauty
herb. Some of the most important Acne
applications of Aloe vera for purpose of Aloe vera helps to eradicate acne

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 Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

scars by performing as an immune booster Therapies for Chronic Constipation. The

and an anti-inflammatory agent. Beauty American Journal of Gastroenterology,
products composed of Aloe vera may 100:936-971.
diminish the rigorousness of acne. It is 4. Grindlay D., Reynolds T. (1986). A
also composed of the chemical ingredients
review of the properties and modern uses
which have the property to save the skin to
of the leaf parenchyma gel, Journal of
initiate the acne [38,39].
Ethnopharmacol. 16: 113-171.
Freshness 5. Zawahry M.E., Rashad M., Helal M.
Aloe vera impart the sensation (1973). Use of Aloe Iim treating Leg
freshness. It helps in increasing Ulcers and Dermatoses, International
distribution of blood therefore providing Journal of Dermatology, 12: 68-73
easier oxygen exchange among the cells,
6. Syed T.A., Cheema K.M., Ahmad S.A.
hence giving them nourishment [40].
(1996). Aloe vera extract 0.5% in
Sun-burns hydrophilic cream versus Aloe vera gel for
Aloe Vera has an outstanding the management of genital herpes in
possession in diminishing the hurting of males. A placebo-controlled, doubleblind,
sunburn. For this purpose, it is rubbed comparative study. Journal of the
directly on skin. The fresh fluid from the European Academy of Dermatology &
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S.A., Ahmad S.H. (1996). Management of
Moisturizing Agent
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softening and moisturizing the skin. There double-blind study. Journal of Tropical
are so many products available in the Medicine & International Health, 1(4):
market containing Aloe vera which may be 505-509.
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lotion applied on the face forms a delicious vera gel gloves in the treatment of dry skin
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 Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera

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