Amongst the innumerable highly useful medicinal flora, Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis
) claims a prime position. Two strains of Aloe vera exist in nature viz., vegetable type and medicinal type. Former has sweet (less bitter) pads while the latter owns bitter ones. Being a succulent and sun-loving plant, Aloe can tolerate a wide range of temperature and thrive in poor soil. Leaf juice protects skin from ultra violet radiation and thereby enhances the natural complexion by acting as a natural sunscreen. Leaf juice is very effective in enhancing the growth and health of hair. All these properties have made Aloe an excellent hair-wash and hair tonic since ancient ages. Hair oil can be prepared by boiling the oil with leaf juice or leaf pieces. Leaves contain Aloin (16 to 68.7 mg / 100ml leaf juice) having laxative properties and barbaloin which is a crystalline glycoside. Therapeutic qualities of Aloe include anthelmintic, aperient, abortifacient, blood purifier, carminative, cooling, cathartic, depurative, deobstruent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, purgative, stomachic etc. Since the leaf juice counteracts the ill effects of radiations, pharmaceutical products are currently being manufactured out of it which help to heal the burns and blemishes of skin created as a consequence of radiation therapy. The leaf after cutting and peeling off the skin can be directly rubbed over the affected area or the leaf juice can be applied over the particular body part using cotton or even with finger. Main advantages of Aloe are: • Inexpensive to buy • Retains potency over long time • No need to replace for many years • Grows as we use• Safer to use within the eyes • No side effects on babies