If one has to walk on the success trail of ‘pharma’ industry, it will end at one or the other herb. Herbs are an essential part of our ecological system and add beauty to the ‘Planet Earth’. Being gracious and subservient, towards environment, makes man’s journey of existence smooth, more rewarding, and devoid of infirmity.
Herbs not only act as deterrents for ailments, but also give unexpected results as tonics, for the immune system. Almost everybody has seen the magic of the tiny mint leaf, which cures stomach pain within minutes.

Generally people prefer allopathic drugs to the herbal options just because they need results fast. And herbs do take time, before one can feel the results. But the cure through herbs is much better. ‘Slow and steady wins the race’—this holds true to the herbal medicines, as they take time to give results that also take time to fade.

One of the best herbal products available is ‘Aloe Vera’—the dried juice collected by incision from the bases of Aloe leaves. The dried Aloe juice is chocolate brown in colour, opaque in nature, and bitter in taste. Ayurveda calls it Ghrit Kumari.

Ayurveda knows 200 species of Aloe Vera. Ayurvedic physicians describe it as a bitter, pungent, hepato-regulator that’s good for digestion. Its value lies in its ability to reconstruct damaged tissues. It is laxative, protective to infectious diseases, promotes flow of urine, and purifies the blood. Chemically, it consists of Aloin (glycosides), steroids, minerals, vitamins and many more compounds. Its prostaglandin inhibitor effect justifies the use as anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb.

Aloe Vera is used in a wide range of reputed cosmetic products. One that instantly comes to the mind is ‘Head-n-Shoulders’ shampoo, which lists ‘Aloe Vera’ as on of its important ingredients. Aloe Vera is also the finest face pack, lustrous cream for every type of skin and excellent medicinal herb for ‘acne’ problems.

Following tips may prove vital for a healthy skin, in today’s beauty conscious times:

1. Aloe Vera helps in healthy growth of outermost layer of the skin and acts as a moisturiser. So, add cucumber with Aloe juice or pulp for moisturising your skin. It works as anti-wrinkle cream, leaving behind a glowing skin. It improves elasticity of skin and removes dryness.

2. It maintains fairness and also act as a sunscreen lotion

3. For acne, a mixture of Aloe gel and turmeric powder can be used as a face pack is used. Carrot juice should also be taken orally to cure acne problem.

4. It also maintains texture of hair strands and has properties to fight dandruff. Apply leaf pulp on scalp for an hour before hair wash. Its weekly use would bring dandruff under control.

5. Ointment prepared by mixing Aloe-gel, bee wax and olive oil or coconut oil is good remedy for skin burns, thermal burns, radiation burns, abrasions and skin irritations.

6. Aloe gel mixed with milk can be taken internally to cure radiation burns in the intestines.
7. Tender leaves mixed with powder of cumin seeds and sugar candy are an excellent remedy in loose motions characterised by blood in stool.

8. Juice of leaves mixed with a little opium, if applied to the forehead relieves headache.

9. Leaf juice mixed with sesame oil and boiled, makes a fine hair oil useful in curing sleeplessness.

Female’s Corner

Gel from leaves that is yellow-coloured viscous juice is used for treatment of gynaecological problem and menstrual disorders. It regulates menstruation, reduces premenstrual tension, painful menses and help women in menopausal period.

It will reduce generalised pain and fatigue and increases amount and flow of menses. One tablespoon of pulp of Aloe leaves is to be taken daily for a week, before the expected date of menstruation. This should be stopped once the periods start. Repeat for 4-5 months. Results would be overwhelming.

Contradiction

Chemically there are strong purgatives found in ‘Aloe Vera’, so pregnant women are advised not to use it.

So, aware of its magic, are you ready to grow ‘Aloe Vera’ in your house? Aloe to be grown in the courtyard, should preferably the one that abounds in natural conditions.