Aloe vera -kumari

Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Family: Liliaceae; Agavaceae

 Introduction:

        Kumari is Vrsya, rasayan also hair tonic.

Names in different Indian languages

Synonyms

Kanyaasaara, Eleyaka (dried juice of the leaves). Kumaari, Kumaarikaa, Kanyaa, Grihkanyaa, Ghritkumaarika , Sthula dala, Dirgha patra

Aloe  vera Tourn. ex Linn.

Aloe  indica Royle

Aloe  littoralis Koening

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) 

1. A. barbadensis

2. A.chinensis .

Morphology

A perennial plant with a short stem.

Leaves— 30-60 cm long, erect, crowded in a basal rosette, juicy, glaucous- green, narrow lanceolate, long acuminate, margins with spiny teeth.

Flowers— yellow, in dense racemes.

Fruit – capsules

Distribution & Habitat

Cultivated throughout India.

Chemical constituents:

 Acemannan, Aloe-Emodin, aloctin A (glycoprotein), aloenin (bitter  glucoside), barbaloin, chrysophanol glycoside; galactose, mannose; aldopentose, aloesin, aloesone, I-sitosterol, alocutin A & B etc

Properties:

Rasa Tikta

Guna Guru, Snigdha, Pichila

Virya sita

Vipãka Katu

Karma Kapha-vãtahara, Caksusya, Vrsya, Brmhana, Rasayana, Bhedana

Purgative, emollient, anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,diuretic

Indications— Yakrtodara, Plihodara, Gulma, Granthi, Agnidagdha Vrana, Jvara, Tvak roga, sula, Vibandha,

 ulcerative colitis, constipation, colic, skin disease, lumbago

 
Part Used— Leaves

Dosage— Fresh juice 10-20 ml; Aqueous Extract 100-300 mg

Srotogamitva:

 Dosha : vata pitha samana

 Dhatu :raktha

 Mala :purisha

Organ :intestine

Important Yogas or Formations

Kumäryãsava, Rajahpravartani vati, Kumãrikã vati, Kumãri tailam.

Important research work  going on

(1) anti-pruritic action

(2) Effect on healing of wounds in thermal burns and radiation injury

(3) Hypoglycaemic activity

(4) Ulcers

(5) effect on cytokine system

Therapeutic Uses—

(1) Pliha Vrddhi— Haridrã powder and juice of Kumäri are given
(2) Kamala — Kumãri svarasa as nasya (B.P.). 
(3) Apasmãra— Ghee prepared with Yastimadhu Kvãtha and 
Kumãri svarasa is useful (S.B.M.).

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