Aloe vera -kumari
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill.
Family: Liliaceae; Agavaceae
Introduction:
Kumari is Vrsya, rasayan also hair tonic.
Names in different Indian languages
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English |
Curacao Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Indian Aloe, Jaffarabad Aloe |
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Hindi |
Ghikuamr, ghikumari |
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Kannada |
Kathaligida |
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Malayalam |
Kattuvala, kattarvala |
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Sanskrit |
Kumara, ghrtakumari |
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Tamil |
Sotru Kattraazhai, Kumaari. Moosaambaram |
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Telugu |
Kalabanda |
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Unani |
Gheekwaar, Sibr |
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Folk |
Elwaa, Musabbar |
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
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Charaka |
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Susrutha |
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Vagbhata |
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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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